Daniel Chapter 2: Part 2
Verse two in Daniel chapter two sheds more light on our identity dilemma. When we don’t know who are in Christ and are searching for identity, we call on others around us to tell us who we are. This is why we try to impress people with our achievements, our wealth, our beauty, family heritage, status-friends (name dropping), etc. On the surface a lot of this appears to be pride (which it is), but underneath all this is an insecurity regarding identity. We are depending upon our peers to tell us we are valuable and that we are loved. These are questions that can only righteously and adequately be answered in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Dan 2:2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to show the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.
In the previous verse we established that his dreams are about identity. This verse can be seen two ways. The people mentioned here can be inside or outside the mind. If they are outside, then the natural mind is asking the people around him to tell him who he is. “Show me my image,” he silently inquires by his actions. “Tell me who I am.” He ascribes almost magical powers to others to determine his self image.
If seen inwardly, we can determine the following about what these persons represent: (numbers are from Strong’s Concordance)
Magicians – 2748 – drawing magical lines or circles
We go around in circles in our mind trying to determine who we are.
Astrologers – 825 – a conjurer. Webster defines conjure as “cause to appear as if by magic.”
We have hopes that something miraculous will happen and we will know who we are. For example, “If I won a million dollars in the lottery then people would respect me and listen to me when I talk.” Or, “If I marry so-and-so people will respect me and I’ll know who I am,” etc.
Sorcerers – 3784 to whisper a spell. Webster defines a spell as “seemingly magical power or irresistible influence, charm, fascination.” We try to make our self be irresistible, charming and fascinating so people will like us and affirm us. Then we will know we are valuable and loved. However, this doesn’t work. There is always someone else more charming or fascinating and then we feel we are worthless and without identity.
Chaldeans – Now that we know what the magicians, astrologers and sorcerers are, let’s review what the Chaldeans represent.
We established in Chapter one of our Daniel study that Chaldeans represent demons. (The name Chaldeans means “as robbers, as demons” [Interpreting Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names]. Also Hab. 1:6-11 gives a description of the Chaldeans that is a description of the characteristics of demons.)
When we try to find our identity in the ways described above, demons are certain to come and hang around us. Our attempt to find identity through other people is sinful, and demons will certainly gather around wherever there is sin. Several verses in Daniel chapter two describe the king’s (natural mind’s) interaction with the demons. It is interesting that they are the only ones in this conversation with the king. This is probably because he is looking in the wrong places for identity and this, therefore, enables demons to gather around him.
