Commentary on Daniel, Chapter 2 · Moral observations
6. Morall obseruations.
1. Observ. Witches and Sorcerers are not to be sought vntounto.
v. 2. Then the King commanded to call the Inchanters, &c. Like vntounto Nabuchadnezzer here, who in this his perplexitie of minde sought not vntounto God, but vntounto Sorcerers and Inchanters, are carnall men, who when any thing befall them in their bodie or goods, resort vntounto Wizzards, Witches, Sorcerers, and such like. But as the king found no helpe at their hands, so they which take such courses, doe but wearie themselues in vaine: So Ahaziah that idolatrous king of Israel, who lay sicke on his bed vponupon an hurt, which he had by falling through a lattice window, sent vntounto Beelzebub the god of Ekron, yet he found no ease thereby, but died miserably. God, if it had pleased him, could hauehave caused Daniel to be sent for at the first: but this made more to Gods glorie, that the blindnes and impotencie of these Chaldeans might first appeare, Polan.
2. Observ. Of mutuall prayer.
v. 17. Daniel shewed the matter to his three companions, that they should beseech the God of heauen, &c. Daniel though an holy man, yet trusteth not to the strength of his owne prayers, but requireth the helpe of his godly brethren: So Iames when any is sicke, would hauehave the Elders sent for, that they may pray for him, c. 5. 14. the ioynt prayer of many is more effectuall, then of one. And to this purpose may be applied that saying of the Preacher, Two are better then one, &c. if two sleepe together, they shall hauehave heat, &c. Eccl. 4. 11. so the prayers of many together are the more zealous.
3. Observ. Of the efficacie of faithfull prayers.
v. 19. Then was the secret reuealed to Daniel. God heard the prayers of Daniel, and his other faithfull companions: for as S. Iames saith, the prayer of the righteous auaileth much, if it be feruent, c. 5. 16. so also the Prophet Dauid, Psal. 145. 18. The Lord is neare vntounto all that call vponupon him, yea vntounto all that call vponupon him faithfully: he will fulfill the desires of them that feare him: he will also heare their crie, and saue them. The prayer then of the righteous is neuer in vaine: for either he presently attaineth his desire, or at a more conuenient time, or els a better thing: and if God sometime deferre the desire of his children, it is because the physitian better knoweth what is good for his patient, then himselfe.
4. Observ. The vnderstanding of the Scripture is obtained by prayer.
As Daniel here by prayer had opened vntounto him the secret of this dreame, so the speciall way whereby to attaine to the vnderstanding of the Scripture is by prayer: which should well be considered of Diuines, who many times trust to their owne wit, in searching the sense of Scripture. Polan. But Dauid besought the Lord, saying, Psal. 119. 17. Make me to vnderstand the way of thy precepts, and I will meditate in thy wondrous workes.
5. Observ. We must louelove our enemies.
v. 24. Daniel hauing obtained of God the reuealing of this dreame, went vntounto Arioch, and said vntounto him, Destroy not the wise men of Babel. They bare a spitefull and enuious heart against Daniel: for they would not call him with them, when the king sent for them: and beside afterward they practised against his life, c. 6. ye… Daniel doth recompence them good for euill, he spareth their life, who sought for his: and seeketh their welfare, who would hauehave reioyced at his fall. By this example we are taught to louelove our enemies, to pray for them that curse vsus, and to doe well vntounto them that hate vsus; according to the holy doctrine of our blessed Sauiour, Matth. 5. 44.
6. Observ. Of the fraile and mutable state of of the world.
v. 31. Behold a great image. The state of the kingdome of this world, is compared to an image, and that in a dreame, which sheweth the frailtie thereof and this image hath feete part of clay, part of yron: by the mixture of clay is signified the brittle estate of the world, wherein there is nothing firme and permanent: Bulling. as the Apostle saith, The fashion of this world goeth away, 1. Cor. 7. 31. Like as the Sea sometime ebbeth, sometime floweth, the Moone encreaseth, and decreaseth: so the world continually altereth and changeth.
7. Observ. The Church of God in the world is kept vnderunder by affliction.
v. 40. The fourth kingdome shall he strong as yron. It should be as yron, that is, hard and heauy to the Church of God, which endured much vnderunder all these foure Monarchies, though some were more tolerable then other. Euen the Monarchie of the Babylonians, which in comparison of the rest was as gold, yet was sharpe enough to the people of God. The Lord would giuegive vntounto his Church a continuall prosperous estate, but he seeth it better for the Church to be kept vnderunder by affliction: 1. thereby carnall securitie is shaken off. 2. the seruants of God are taught to put their hope and confidence in God. 2. Cor. 1. 9. 3. the crosse maketh vsus more earnestly to call vponupon God. 2. Cor. 1. 11. 4. it occasioneth other also to giuegive thanks for our deliuerance. 2. Cor. 1. 11. 5. we are purged and perfited by affliction, 1. Pet. 1. 7. 6. our affliction tendeth to the consolation and comfort of others, 2. Cor. 1. 6.
8. Observ. Godly reprehension is patiently to be heard, and endured.
v. 47. The king answered vntounto Danial, Of a truth your God is the God of gods, &c. Nabuchadnezzer, though Daniel had prophesied hard things vntounto him, of the ruine and subuersion of his kingdome; yet because he deliuered the truth, he patiently heareth him: much vnlike was Pharaoh with Moses, and Saul with Samuel, for telling him of the losse of his kingdome: Nabuchadnezzer therefore shall stand vp in iudgement against all such kings and Princes, which cannot endure to heare of any thing, contrarie to their pleasure and desire: Bulling.
9. Observ. Of the thankefulnes and liberalitie of Kings.
v. 48. So the king made Daniel a great man. Nabuchadnezzar doth reward the wisdom of Daniel with great honours and rewards: not as Ahab, who rewarded the Prophet Micaiah with prison, and Ieroboam, who commanded the man of God to be apprehended. Herein this king may be a mirrour and example to all Princes, how they should respect their faithfull counsellours; who tell them truth, and flatter not: and in what estimation they should hauehave godly wisdome and learning, not to suffer such excellent gifts to be vnrewarded or vnregarded. Bulling.