Daniel 2:46Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

But since he failed in that instance, he escalated efforts thereafter, promoting polytheism throughout the lands.

Among the captives, some lived in anguish while others, like Daniel and the three young men, experienced no such confinement. They radiated greater glory than the very king who had taken them captive; the one who bound them ultimately worshipped his captives. What a testament to virtue! In their captivity, the king served them as though they were his masters; consequently, he was more captive than they. It would have been less astonishing if he had offered worship upon entering their homeland or if they had ruled there. The true astonishment is found in the fact that the one who imprisoned them, while maintaining power over them in full view of all, was not ashamed to honor and sacrifice to them. See how magnificent are the works of the Lord, contrasting sharply with the darkness of human endeavors. The king did not recognize that he was taking away those whom he should have revered, casting into the furnace those who deserved his worship; to them, all adversities were like fleeting dreams.

Let us revere God, beloved, and cultivate that fear within us. Even if we find ourselves in captivity, we shall shine brighter than all. Let the reverence of God dwell in our hearts, and we shall not be troubled, whether by poverty, illness, bondage, or calamity; rather, these will serve to bring us closer to divine purposes. Though they were captives, the king worshipped them; Paul was a tanner, yet they sought to offer sacrifices to him as a deity. A pertinent query arises regarding why the apostles rebuffed such honors, tore their garments, and admonished the people with tears, proclaiming, "Why do ye do this? We are men of like nature with you" (Acts 14:15), while Daniel refrained from any such refusal. His humility and dedication to God were evident in many ways. Firstly, his favored status with God demonstrated that if he had sought to claim God's glory for himself, he would not have been permitted to live, let alone prosper. Secondly, he boldly proclaimed, "But to me this mystery has been revealed, not that I should be wiser than all living, but that the king's understanding should be made known" (Dan. 2:30). Thirdly, when he found himself in a den for the Lord, he expressed gratitude, saying, "Thou hast remembered me, O God" (Dan. 14:38); such was his humility and broken spirit. He believed himself unworthy of being remembered by God, while we, having committed countless transgressions and being more sinful than all, often turn away from God unless our initial prayers are answered. Truly, the gulf between us and them is as vast as the heavens above the earth.

What, then, does the prophet declare? After so many feats, following the miraculous event in the den, do you still consider yourself humbled? Indeed, he responds; in all our actions, we are merely "slaves of unworthiness" (Luke 17:10). Thus, he lived out the essence of the Gospel command even prior to its proclamation, perceiving himself as insignificant. "God remembered me," he declared. His prayer epitomizes his humility. The three young men also affirmed, "We have sinned and acted wickedly" (Dan. 3:29), consistently displaying their modesty. Daniel had endless opportunities to elevate himself, yet he recognized that all he received was a result of his humility and avoidance of narcissism. All of humanity and the universe commended him—not solely due to the king bowing before him and offering sacrifices, but also because he was acknowledged as a god by one whom they regarded as the sovereign deity, as illustrated by the prophet Jeremiah's words, "who clothes the earth like a garment," and, "I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar my servant" (Jeremiah 27:6). His writings revealed the wonder he inspired, not only where he resided but far and wide; his expressions of servitude and miracles through his words resulted in greater renown than if other nations had witnessed him firsthand. They marveled at the depth of his wisdom, as the prophet remarked, "Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel" (Ezekiel 28:3).

Despite all this, he remained so humble that he would gladly face a thousand deaths for the Lord. Why, then, did he not refuse the king's worship and the sacrifices offered to him, given such humility? I shall refrain from elaborating here; it suffices to pose the question and leave it for your contemplation. Therefore, I encourage you to approach all things with the fear of God, knowing that we possess numerous examples that assure we will attain present blessings if we diligently pursue future ones. Daniel’s refusal is clear in his statement, "let thy gifts remain with thee" (Dan. 5:17). Yet another question emerges: why, after verbally declining, did he accept the honor and don the chain? Herod, who heard the accolades, "the voice of God, and not of man," and did not glorify God, met a dire fate; yet Daniel embraced God's honor not merely with words but with action.

It is vital to clarify what this entails. In that instance, the populace might have lapsed into greater idolatry, whereas here, such was not the case. Why? When Daniel was thus lauded, the honor was directed towards God, as he himself articulated, "to me this mystery is not revealed, lest I should be wiser than all that live" (Dan. 2:30). Furthermore, it does not appear that he accepted a sacrifice. Although the king suggested a sacrifice should be presented, there is no indication that this was carried out. On the contrary, oxen were brought forth for sacrifice, and among them, one was designated Jupiter and the other Mercury. Daniel may have worn the chain merely to be visible to others. Why then, did he not dismiss the sacrifice discreetly? At that time, sacrifices had yet to be made, and though they were only impending, the apostles were quick to intervene; therefore, likewise, the event should have been halted here, with just the king present rather than the entire populace, as was the case then.

Why, in this instance, did the prophet not refuse? I previously stated that the honor bestowed upon him did not detract from God's glory, as it was linked to a great miracle. The king acted out of reverence for God’s sovereignty through Daniel, affirming God’s supremacy without undermining it. The apostles, on the other hand, felt compelled to dissuade the people from worshipping them, since they perceived themselves as gods. Thus, Nebuchadnezzar, despite his actions, initially venerated Daniel first, not out of divine acknowledgment, but as recognition of his profound wisdom. It does not seem that he offered a sacrifice; however, even if he did, it likely was against Daniel's consent.

Moreover, why did Nebuchadnezzar bestow upon him the name Belshazzar—the name of God himself? The pagans were so dismissive of their deities that they assigned this name to a captive, while ordering reverence towards various idols and venerating the dragon. The Babylonians were far less rational than the Lystrians; thus, immediate correction of their beliefs seemed implausible. There is much more to discuss on this topic, but I shall suffice for now. Therefore, if we desire to obtain all blessings, let us seek the blessings of God. Just as those who pursue worldly gains often lose everything, so too will those who prioritize spiritual wealth gain both temporal and eternal blessings. Let us earnestly pursue the latter, that we may enjoy the promised graciousness in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Yet, recognizing that this was rightly a role for others, he refrained from assuming duties not suited to him and instead commanded those accustomed to such rituals. To ensure that his actions did not reflect a mere act of reverence towards a mere man, Nebuchadnezzar addressed Daniel, saying: