In the beginning of the book of Daniel, Daniel is called upon to interpret Nebuchadnezzar dream. Before he does, he shares this. Daniel 2:27-30:
Daniel answered the king and said, "No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these: To you, O king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of what would be after this, and he who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be. But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind.
Daniel makes it clear, “But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living”. God used Daniel, not because of who he was in and of himself, but because Daniel was who he chose to use.
But, on the part of the king, the response to Daniel’s interpretation is typical.
Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him
Daniel has just finished disclaiming his interpretation of the king’s dream by saying something like, "I’m going to tell you your dream, but it’s not because I’m someone special, I’m not, it’s because there is a great God in heaven who reveals mysteries!"
The king quickly forgot Daniel’s disclaimer and pays him homage. It strikes me that it is much in the same way that we end up lifting and exalting our respected leaders in the church today. I recently sat down with a pastor who had spent some time in close proximity to John Piper. When I found this out, almost the first thing out of my mouth was, "Do you know John Piper!?". He paused and I could see how silly my question was. Yes, John Piper should be respected and honored, but I was offering him more than that.
I’d like to be more careful of that.
