The Forgetting of His Dream by Nebuchad-Nezzar Providential

    The king of Babylon forgets his dream. Why? Because this was the means of calling forth Daniel, and of giving the true interpretation of the dream that was from God. Had the king remembered his dream, and told it to his wise men, they might have made a shift to deceive him, and plausibly have interpreted it according to their art. But neither they nor their master, the devil, could tell what passed in the mind of Nebuchadnezzar in his sleep. The thing, then, must come to Daniel, and from him we have God's interpretation of a dream, much of which is still to be fulfilled. But why does the king act so tyrannically with respect to the wise men? Was not the thing he required unreasonable? Is not their justification perfectly sufficient? Their art did not profess what he sought. But he is tyrannical, arbitrary, and obstinate. They must die. Was ever conduct or caprice of tyrant more absolute? All the wise men of Babylon must die, because they cannot declare what is known only to Omniscience! But all this is necessary to bring Daniel forward. This explains the mystery of Providence. How wonderful is this! Jehovah, the Ruler of the world, serves his purposes by the caprices and cruelty of tyrants, as well as by the exertions of saints. The passions and caprices of a Henry VIII. have a place in the work of Providence, as well as the peaceful labours of the followers of the Lamb of God.