Daniel 4
Another Dream
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Dan. 4:17 “This decision is by the decree of the watchers, and the sentence by the word of the holy ones, in order that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men.’
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Intro
√ Another dream
People are notoriously slow learners! Just look at the history of Mankind and you’ll see that we just keep making the same dumb mistakes!
Ex. God’s discipline in our lives
How many times have you willfully disobeyed God and experienced His discipline before you stopped sinning!
Nebuchadnezzar was no exception. God had graciously revealed His plan for the future to Nebuchadnezzar via a dream and yet…
…Nebuchadnezzar rejected God’s revelation and built himself an idol (“Babylonian Idol”) to demonstrate that his plan was for his kingdom to last forever!
Chapter 4 records Nebuchadnezzar’s…
Further rebellion
Second dream
Judgment
Restoration
…demonstrating that he was a slow learner (like most of us) when it came to dismantling the pride in his heart.
Ap. Two ways to deal with pride
The easy way and the hard way!
You can either humble yourself, or be humbled!
The lesson from Nebuchadnezzar’s experience as recorded in Daniel chapter 4 shows us that he had a choice and went with the hard path!
We too have a choice! The Bible is full of God’s wisdom about how to live our lives.
We can chose to follow His instruction and enjoy life on the easy path…
…or we can reject God’s instructions and learn the same lessons on the hard path!
Learn from Nebuchadnezzar, the easy path is always better!
Timing of the dream (vs. 1-3)
Dan. 4:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king, To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you.
Dan. 4:2 I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me.
Dan. 4:3 How great are His signs, and how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation.
√ Timing of the dream
Once again we have a gap of time between chapters. We know that…
Nebuchadnezzar reigned for 43 years (605-562 B.C.)
His insanity lasted 7 years
He returned to the throne for a short time before he died
His last years did not take place until after he completed massive building projects ~ as referenced in vs. 30.
…so, most Bible students place the beginning of chapter 4 about 570 B.C., or the 35th year of his reign, some 25-30 years after the events of chapter 3.
Significant because it reminds us that Nebuchadnezzar still hadn’t learned that God…
“…rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men.” ~ vs. 17
He was still unwilling to surrender his life and his will to God! So, God has a special plan to help Nebuchadnezzar surrender his life to the Lord…
…it’s called brokenness!
Ap. One way to deal with pride!
If we won’t humble ourselves then we must be broken! Just like a wild horse each of us comes to God with our own set of foolish and arrogant ideas about life.
God comes along and gently breaks us of our foolish and self destructive ways so that He can put a bridal and harness on us…
…and lead us to the abundant life.
Reminding us that our flesh and human nature don’t die easily.
√ Proclamation
Note that chapter 4 is actually an official government proclamation!
Daniel, inspired by the Holy Spirit, has simply recorded the letter that the king sent throughout his empire for our instruction.
It is if you will Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony because he uses the events in his life to demonstrate how God had changed his life!
The first Gospel Tract!
So, let’s look at what Nebuchadnezzar learned.
The Second Dream (vs. 4-9)
Dan. 4:4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace.
Dan. 4:5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
Dan. 4:6 Therefore
I issued a decree to bring in all the wise men of
Dan. 4:7 Then the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers came in, and I told them the dream; but they did not make known to me its interpretation.
Dan. 4:8 But at last Daniel came before me (his name is Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god; in him is the Spirit of the Holy God), and I told the dream before him, saying:
Dan. 4:9 “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that the Spirit of the Holy God is in you, and no secret troubles you, explain to me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and its interpretation.
√ The second dream
Once again Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that causes him to be concerned, note vs. 5…
“I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.”
So, having already been through this once before he calls in the dream-master Daniel!
Wrong!
Amazingly we’re told that he calls in the old school guys the…
“…magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers…” ~ vs. 7
…and gives them first shot at interpreting his dream!
Yet, even though he tells them the dream first, they still can’t help him!
So, he finally calls in Daniel.
√ Why the delay?
Why would Nebuchadnezzar wait to ask Daniel for help? After all, the other wise men had proven to be of no real help.
Vs. 8 may give us a clue!
“But at last Daniel came before me (his name is Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god; in him is the Spirit of the Holy God), and I told the dream before him, saying”
Ah, even after all that God had shown Nebuchadnezzar…
The 1st dream and Daniel’s ability to give and interpret it.
The rescue of Daniel’s friends from the fiery furnace.
…Nebuchadnezzar was still a worshipper of Bel!
Bel, also know as Marduk, was the supreme ruler of the pantheon of gods and goddesses worshiped by the Babylonians.
So that even though he acknowledged Daniel’s God…
…he was not yet ready to give up his god and embrace and worship Yahweh as the only true God!
So, it would appear then that Nebuchadnezzar was somewhat loathe to ask Daniel for help because he wanted to give his god a chance to show up first!
Ap. Only God can help
I wish that I could tell you that Nebuchadnezzar was the only one who ever asked the Lord for help last!
The reality is that most people, even the Lord’s people will try every other means of obtaining help or direction before they turn to the Lord!
I learned that important lesson early in my Christian experience (though I still forget sometimes!)
Ex. Starlite and the stuck gas cap
So, go to the Lord first!
The object of the dream (vs. 10-12)
Dan. 4:10 “These were the visions of my head while on my bed: I was looking, and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great.
Dan. 4:11 The tree grew and became strong; Its height reached to the heavens, and it could be seen to the ends of all the earth.
Dan. 4:12 Its leaves were lovely, its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, the birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it.
√ The object of the dream
A massive and majestic tree! Nebuchadnezzar recognized that it was significant because of its…
Size ~ vs. 10-11
Beauty ~ vs. 12
Fruit ~ vs. 12
We’re also told that the tree provided food and shelter for both people and animals.
The symbol of a massive tree fits nicely into the historical
setting as Nebuchadnezzar had traveled to the forests of
Interesting because we see all through scripture how God uses things out of our daily life experience to communicate spiritual truth.
Ex. Jesus’ parables
But, just as Jesus’ parables were simple to understand, the meaning of them is hidden from those who don’t know the Lord.
So it was with Nebuchadnezzar.
The dream was simple, but neither he nor the wise men of
Ap. Spiritual truth is revealed, not discovered
Knowledge = facts
Wisdom = right application of knowledge
Understanding = how to use knowledge & wisdom in a specific situation.
Ex. Joseph and Pharaoh’s dream
All the wise man knew the facts of Pharaoh’s dream (knowledge), but only Joseph knew how to interpret the facts (wisdom) and what to do in light of that wisdom (understanding).
So, a person can posses great knowledge, yet without God he won’t have the wisdom and understanding to use it!
The message of the dream (vs. 13-16)
Dan. 4:13 “I saw in the visions of my head while on my bed, and there was a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven.
Dan. 4:14 He cried aloud and said thus:
“Chop down the tree and cut off its branches, strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts get out from under it, and the birds from its branches.
Dan. 4:15 Nevertheless leave the stump and roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field. Let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him graze with the beasts on the grass of the earth.
Dan. 4:16 Let his heart be changed from that of a man, let him be given the heart of a beast, and let seven times pass over him.
√ The message of the dream
Now we understand why Nebuchadnezzar was “afraid” and “troubled” by the dream!
As he admires the massive and majestic tree an angel shows up and says…
“Cut it down!”
…and leave nothing but a stump in the ground.
Worse, the angel indicates that the tree and its stump is a man!
“Let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him graze with the beasts on the grass of the earth. Let his heart be changed from that of a man, let him be given the heart of a beast, and let seven times pass over him.”
Perhaps Nebuchadnezzar remembered that in his first dream he was the “head of gold”…
…so now he’s wondering whether the tree and the stump also represents him!
If so, that would mean that he was destined to be driven from his kingdom.
Lose his mind.
Live like an animal for 7 years (“times” – ref. Dan. 7:25)
Not an exciting prospect! The question is, why would God do this to Nebuchadnezzar?
The purpose of the dream (vs. 17)
Dan. 4:17 “This decision is by the decree of the watchers, and the sentence by the word of the holy ones, in order that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men.’
√ The purpose of the dream
Vs. 17 tells us that the purpose of the dream was to communicate to Mankind, specifically to Nebuchadnezzar, that God is the only true Sovereign King!
Everyone else, and every power in the universe operate at God’s discretion.
Nebuchadnezzar knew that from his previous encounters with God yet, in his pride had exalted himself above God!
So, God warned him that He would have to cut him down, break him, so that he would repent of his sinful attitude and false gods and turn to the true and living God.
√ Another dream
People are notoriously slow learners! Just look at the history of Mankind and you’ll see that we just keep making the same dumb mistakes!
Ex. God’s discipline in our lives
How many times have you willfully disobeyed God and experienced His discipline before you stopped sinning!
Nebuchadnezzar was no exception. God had graciously revealed His plan for the future to Nebuchadnezzar via a dream and yet…
…Nebuchadnezzar rejected God’s revelation and built himself an idol (“Babylonian Idol”) to demonstrate that his plan was for his kingdom to last forever!
Chapter 4 records Nebuchadnezzar’s…
Further rebellion
Second dream
Judgment
Restoration
…demonstrating that he was a slow learner (like most of us) when it came to dismantling the pride in his heart.
Ap. Two ways to learn
The easy way and the hard way!
The lesson from Nebuchadnezzar’s experience as recorded in Daniel chapter 4 shows us that he had a choice and went with the hard path!
We too have a choice! The Bible is full of God’s wisdom about how to live our lives.
We can chose to follow His instruction and enjoy life on the easy path…
…or we can reject God’s instructions and learn the same lessons on the hard path!
Learn from Nebuchadnezzar, the easy path is always better!
The interpretation of the dream (vs. 18-27)
Dan. 4:18 “This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its interpretation, since all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for the Spirit of the Holy God is in you.”
Dan. 4:19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time, and his thoughts troubled him. So the king spoke, and said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you.” Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may the dream concern those who hate you, and its interpretation concern your enemies!
√ Daniel hesitates
An interesting observation is that Daniel doesn’t come forth with the interpretation that way that he did with Nebuchadnezzar’s first dream!
He hesitates!
Most likely because the interpretation of this dream isn’t good for Nebuchadnezzar!
First dream ~ he’s the head of gold, the greatest and most powerful king that would ever be!
Second dream ~ he’s a tree that’s going to be cut down and then he’s going to eat grass for 7 years!
Daniel had to play this wisely because if the king didn’t like his interpretation…
…he could have Daniel’s head cut off!
But, the king tells him it’s okay to give him the interpretation whether it’s good or bad.
Dan. 4:20 “The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which could be seen by all the earth,
Dan. 4:21 whose leaves were lovely and its fruit abundant, in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the heaven had their home—
Dan. 4:22 it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your dominion to the end of the earth.
Dan. 4:23 “And inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump and roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze in the tender grass of the field; let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him graze with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him’;
Dan. 4:24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king:
Dan. 4:25 They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.
Dan. 4:26 “And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules.
√ The interpretation of the dream
Daniel identifies Nebuchadnezzar as the tree in his dream and tells him what the future holds for him…
He will be driven from his throne!
He will become insane, believing that he’s a cow!
He’ll live outside and eat grass for 7 years!
And, the one good bit of news is that at the end of it all he will be restored to his sanity and his throne once he has learned that…
…God is sovereign and not him!
Right!
Before you dismiss the whole thing as fiction you should know that this is a real psychiatric condition!
Ex. Zoanthropy
Clinical lycanthropy is a rare psychiatric syndrome that involves a delusional belief that the affected person is, or has, transformed into an animal.
It is named after the mythical condition of lycanthropy, a supernatural affliction in which people are said to physically shape shift into werewolves.
The word zoanthropy is also sometimes used for the delusion that one has turned into an animal in general and not specifically a wolf.
So, God’s message to Nebuchadnezzar is that his pride is going to lead to a massive fall!
√ Good advise
Dan. 4:27 Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.”
Daniel advises the king to repent of his sin and seek to please the Lord so that the judgment might be averted.
That is, God’s judgment, though predicted…
…could be avoided if Nebuchadnezzar would chose to walk right with God.
That was the case in the book of Jonah in which the wicked
people of
That happened about 150 years before Daniel was standing before Nebuchadnezzar!
That is, Daniel knew that God always warns people before He brings judgment so that they might repent and avert His wrath.
Daniel’s advise then is…
”change or chew”
…chew the cud that is!
Ap. Are we listening?
God’s instructions are not really that hard to figure out. Basically He says…
Obedience brings blessing and joy
Disobedience brings judgment and discipline
Just as Nebuchadnezzar knew better, so we know what pleases God and what displeases Him.
Please listen to God and the people He sends your way!
If you chose to listen and obey you can avert so much trouble in your life!
On the other hand, if you chose to reject Godly counsel and continue on your path of disobedience…
…you’re in for a difficult time.
Please save yourself from trouble! God would much rather pour out His mercy and grace in your life than judgment of discipline!
The fulfillment of the dream (vs. 28-33)
Dan. 4:28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar.
Dan. 4:29 At the
end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal
Dan. 4:30 The king
spoke, saying, “Is not this great
Dan. 4:31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you!
Dan. 4:32 And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”
Dan. 4:33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.
√ The fulfillment of the dream
The first thing we want to note is that an entire year passed before God’s judgment fell (vs. 29).
That is, God gave Nebuchadnezzar 12 months to repent!
Reminds us that God will always extend grace and give us an opportunity to repent before He brings His judgment upon us.
Ap. Our sin will find us out!
Num. 32:23 But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.
The Bible is replete with stories of men and woman who thought that they could hide their sin from God…
…when in reality He was simply extending them time so that they might repent.
If they didn’t, what they thought was hidden will be made know to everyone!
Ex. David’s sin
2Sam. 12:11 Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.
2Sam. 12:12 For you
did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all
Do I need to say that it’s always better to deal with sin privately with God…
…than publicly!
Good incentive to keep a short account with the Lord.
But, Nebuchadnezzar did not repent of his pride, which he expressed in vs. 30…
“Is not this great
Note that he takes credit for what God had done for him! He boasts that it was by his…
Power
Majesty
…that
While the words are still in his mouth a voice from heaven calls down the predicted judgment upon him!
So, he’s put out to pasture where he lives like a cow for 7 “times” or 7 years (ref. 7:25 & time to grow hair and nails).
The result of the dream (vs. 34-37)
Dan. 4:34 And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation.
Dan. 4:35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, “What have You done?”
Dan. 4:36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me.
√ The result of the dream
Everything that Daniel interpreted from the dream came to pass! After 7 years of judgment Nebuchadnezzar’s sanity was restored and his advisors brought him back to the throne.
Bible students suggest that because Daniel held a position
of such great authority in
…that he used his authority to protect Nebuchadnezzar for those 7 years from anyone who might have wanted to try and take the kingdom by force.
Perhaps even keeping the king in one of his private gardens
so that the people of
Ex. The Lost Prince
Prince John, son of King George V & Queen Mary, suffered from epilepsy and some form of autism.
He was hidden from the public so that the people of
So, in the same way Daniel may have protected the king because he knew that God had decreed a 7 year judgment.
√ The king’s testimony
Dan. 4:37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.
He finally got it! That is, he finally acknowledged that God…
Is sovereign
His authority is absolute
Man answers to God (not the other way around!)
No one, not even the greatest king has the right to question Him or His plans!
So, Nebuchadnezzar gets a new heart and mind and surrenders himself to the One True God in the universe! In fact, his words indicate that he became a believer in God…
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven” ~ 37
The verbs, “praise”, “extol” and “honor” indicate a continued action, that is, a life style of worshipping God!
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