LIGHT OF UNDERSTANDING (5)

“HE GIVES WISDOM to the wise and KNOWLEDGE to those who have UNDERSTANDING” – Daniel 2:21b

Almighty God is the Sole Source, Supplier, and Sustainer of the LIGHT of UNDERSTANDING: “Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; HE GIVES WISDOM to the wise and KNOWLEDGE to those who have UNDERSTANDING. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and LIGHT DWELLS WITH HIM” (Dan.2: 20-22). Man is in the dark because he is limited in understanding. But God is in control of human history, making and unmaking kings. He sovereignly controls human events. He alone will lead human history to its climax. “Light Dwells with Him” because He knows and sees all things clearly. There are no shades of meaning or possibilities in Him!

What was the context? Soon after completing their early training, Daniel and company were faced with a severe test. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream he had forgotten, but wanted his wise men to unravel its meaning. He insisted that they first describe the dream accurately, and then he could be sure that their interpretation was true (Dan. 2:1-6). The wise men replied that this request was unreasonable. No person anywhere had such ability (Dan.2:7-11). Furious at their reply, the king ordered that all Babylon’s wise men be executed (Dan.2:12). When the king’s guards came to arrest them to be executed, Daniel bravely requested for extra time to consider the matter (Dan.2:13-16). He promptly returned home and gathered his three friends with him to pray to their God, and Light of Understanding broke through (vv. 17-18).

The same night God revealed the dream and its interpretation to Daniel in a vision. Without waiting to check with the king whether his vision of the dream was the same as the king’s, Daniel confidently thanked God for answering his prayer (v.19). He praised God as the all-wise, sovereign ruler of the Universe, who controls history, determines the destinies of kings, gives wisdom to the faithful and reveals mysteries to his servants (vv.20-23). Daniel specified that it was God who gave him knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. The Light of Revelation he received came from God, not from his own wisdom. He fully recognized that it is God who gives understanding of deep and secret things.

Daniel displayed unique understanding even in his prayer, as he included his companions: “I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of You, for You have made known to US the king’s demand” (v.23b). Lack of understanding keeps the believer in the dust with unbelievers: “A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead” (Pro.21:16). The Light of Understanding elevates to heights of Divine Thoughts (Isa.55:9).