Daniel 2:20-22
“Daniel answered, "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever; for wisdom and might are his. He changes the times and the seasons. He removes kings, and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals the deep and secret things. He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him."”
This passage is from the book of Daniel, written during Israel's exile in Babylon, likely in the 6th century BCE, with some scholars suggesting a later compilation during the 2nd century BCE. Here, Daniel is praising God after God reveals to him the meaning of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream, a dream about a statue made of different materials representing successive empires. This immediately follows Daniel and his friends facing execution if they couldn't interpret the dream.
How does recognizing the transient nature of human power shape our actions and outlook in our own powerful societies?