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Daniel 2:46-49 — Daniel Is Honored

The last part of this chapter concerns the response of the king to these significant words of Daniel. He highly honored the young man and praised the God to whom Daniel had given all the credit. He actually bowed before Daniel and called for offerings and incense to be given to him. Bowing before a mere captive was an incredible action of this emperor! In Daniel 2:47 Nebuchadnezzar agreed that it was the God of heaven who had given the information, so it is doubtful that Nebuchadnezzar was worshipping Daniel in verse 46, but only seeking to worship this God through Daniel. By his words, “Surely your God is the God of gods” (Daniel 2:47), the king was actually admitting that Daniel’s God was greater than all the gods of Babylon.

Then Nebuchadnezzar gave Daniel many great gifts and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon. The empire of Babylonia was divided into separate provinces, each with a ruler. The most important province was where the capital was and this was Babylon. Daniel was also placed in charge of all the wise men of Babylon, the greatest honor of all for such a young man. Daniel would have frequent and significant contact with the mighty king and would have a strong influence on him. God had been truly faithful to Daniel as Daniel had been obedient to His will.

It is heartening to see that Daniel did not forget his three friends who had been through the hardship with him, prayed with him and indeed must have been praying while Daniel stood before the king interpreting the dream. Daniel asked on their behalf that they be appointed administrators over the province of Babylon, and the king agreed to this. The Bible says that “Daniel himself remained at the royal court” (Daniel 2:49), an indication that the king must have desired to keep Daniel close by his side.

God honors those who honor Him. What about you and me? Apart from Christ, nothing of eternal value can be done by us or through us. As we think of work ahead of us, therefore, we need to realize our incompetence. We must realize that if anything is to be accomplished by us on earth, it will be done only because God does it for us, through us and first of all in us. We are acceptable to serve God when we know that we depend on His Spirit. We must realize that even though we in ourselves are incompetent we must not quit, but look to Christ for encouragement, strength and usefulness. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).

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