Why We Need a Prophet

Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar has a dream, and somehow knows that God is speaking to him through the dream, but he does not know the True and Living God... or what God is saying. He searches for answers through the astrologers and prophets of his culture. He asks them to do something extraordinary, to tell him the dream and also interpret it. They know it is a task too big for any human and Nebuchadnezzar is going to kill all of them---including Daniel. The king failed to realize that he had a prophet of the One True God in his cabinet. Daniel's response is so beautiful; he can't interpret dreams on his own, but there is a God who makes things known. This story is a reminder that we can hear the voice of God in this world, but we need an authoritative voice that will keep us moored to the One True God. We will see that God makes Himself known; yet, in this fallen world, we will misinterpret. We need an authoritative Word that will make God known and reveal truth that shapes our world-view and our values.