DANIEL SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 4.1.Introduction

Gleanings from the Book of Daniel:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

DANIEL

Chapter Four

                           The Second Dream of Nebuchadnezzar:

The Tree Dream

(God is Sovereign over Kings and Kingdoms)

 

 

Introduction

Daniel 4 is a rare and unique chapter in the amalgamation of Scripture. Biographically, it was written in the first person singular by a pagan Gentile King, Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon, one of the world’s greatest monarchs during the “Times of the Gentiles.”  In a state paper, he declared his personal testimony incorporated into the Bible by the prophet Daniel under the divine direction and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

 

During Israel’s 70-year captivity, Nebuchadnezzar reigned for 43 years (605-562 B.C.). In Chapter 3 the fiery furnace account had taken place some 28 years later. The King was then about 48 years of age. So, his God-honoring decree of Chapter 4 would have been enacted one year before his death.

 

Nebuchadnezzar particularized the condensation of his broken pride and humiliation. Moreover, his acknowledgment of converting to the one true God of Daniel, Shadrach (Hananiah), Meshach (Mishael), and Abednego (Azariah) over the heathen pantheon of Babylonians gods was exceptional in his day.

 

It is evident in Chapter 4 that the power of God can change a man’s heart, even rulers and kings. In Nebuchadnezzar’s situation, it was not instantaneous. Previously, he first recognized God, but without any commitment (cf. 2:47). Then, he proclaimed the sovereignty of God over all the earth but did not accept him as his deliverer (cf. 3:29). Next, Nebuchadnezzar biographically recorded the events of his conversion through another dream and experience that would change his life forever. A proclamation will introduce the chapter.

 

The Structure of Chapter 4

In a rather peculiar literary technique of this period, the introduction of Daniel 4 is actually the conclusion of the narrative. As a consequence of a seven-year lapse of power during his monarchy, Nebuchadnezzar recounted the events leading up to his conversion to the God of Heaven.

 

Comparable to his first dream in Chapter 2, the King once again summoned his inept advisors, related his alarming dream, and then it was interpreted by Daniel. However, when his dream was realized, the King endured madness brought about by boastfulness and pride. Ultimately, upon sincere repentance and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, God restored Nebuchadnezzar to sanity and prosperity after seven years.

 

Ending with praise on his lips, Nebuchadnezzar issued a decree that the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be honored amongst his people. And, once again the three received a promotion within the Empire.

 

Chapter 4 Outline

1. The salutation of the King to his Empire (Vv. 1-3)

2. The encapsulation of the King’s court (Vv. 4-8)

3. The narration of the King’s dream ( Vv. 9-18)

4. The interpretation of the King’s dream (Vv. 19-27)

5. The self-adulation of the King  (Vv. 28-31)

6. The retribution to the King by God (Vv. 32-33)

7. The restoration of the King by God (Vv. 34-37)

 

 

1. The salutation of the King to his Empire (Vv. 1-3)

(Verse 1)

 

Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

 

The Prologue

Assuming him to be a universal monarch, Nebuchadnezzar king of the Babylonian Empire, in an ancient Eastern customary fashion, administered a declaration to everyone. The following were included in his address:

1. All people – Collectively: kindred, countrymen, clans, and flocks (e.g., Israel)

 

2. All nations – Used in a wider sense, established boundaries, i.e., as in Persia or Assyria

 

3. All languages – Primarily used in distinguishing ethnicity, (e.g., the Italians)

 

4. All that dwell in the earth (a figure of speech) – Humankind, e.g., limited geographically, namely, the assimilation of Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Palestine, and Egypt area.

 

Hence Babylon, being an empire, included everyone whom he subdued in the ancient world.

 

Peace be multiplied unto you

The Greeting

At the height of his power, Nebuchadnezzar made a usual form of greeting in the ancient Near East to his subjects, i.e., Peace! - Shalom, for Israel. In effect, he is saying, “May your peace for welfare abound” (cf. 6:25).

This expression is compared to a sampling of other translations:

May you prosper greatly! (NIV)

Peace be multiplied to you. (NKJV)

Peace and prosperity to you! (ISV)

 

Therefore, the King wished everyone peace and prosperity.

 

 

(Verse 2)

 

I thought it good (fair) to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward (has done for) me.

 

King Nebuchadnezzar thought it was good to let the world know how the high God (clearly, Yahweh of Israel) transformed his life. By giving this attribution to Him, he is essentially renounced the false heathen ineffective gods of Babylon. Next, he credited God for two life-changing benefits, expressly signs and wonders. Signs and wonders are technical terms in the Bible for miracles, notably:

1. God wrought signs to him

Signs (Strong’s 852, ʼâth) are usually natural phenomena with evidence of God’s intervention

 

2. God wrought wonders on him

Wonders (Strong’s 8539, tâmahh), on the other hand, are miracles that cause one to marvel in astonishment

 

In his address to the Empire, Nebuchadnezzar no longer referenced the signs and wonders God wrought toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (cf. 2:29). But, now he attested to what the high God had done for him. And at the same time, he will endeavor to explain his absence from the throne during the seven-year lapse.

 

 

(Verse 3)

 

How great are His signs! and how mighty are His wonders! His Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and his dominion (power, authority, rule, sovereignty) is from generation to generation.

 

A Confession of God’s Kingdom

Moreover, King Nebuchadnezzar, impressed by the delivering power of God, extols His supremacy in this fashion:

1. God is a God of signs and wonders

Deuteronomy sums this up well:

Deuteronomy 26:8 - And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness (terror), and with signs, and with wonders.

 

Deuteronomy 7:19 - You saw how the LORD used His tremendous power to work great miracles and bring you out of Egypt. And He will again work miracles for you when you face these enemies you fear so much. (CEV)

 

2. God is a God whose Kingdom is an everlasting one

Psalm 45:6 - Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of Thy kingdom is a [up]right sceptre.

 

Psalm 145:13 - Thy Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and Thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.

 

3. God is a God whose authority is an eternal one

Psalm 90:2 - Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.

 

Isaiah 9:7 - Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His Kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.

 

Thus, by his heart-felt attestation, not of the god or gods of Babylon, but the one true God of Daniel, and his three companions, is venerated throughout the Babylonian Empire by a state ordinance.

 

After this surprising address, the King will relate to the world his second dream and personal experience as a result of his haughtiness. The observations of the correlations in Chapter 2 are quite compelling.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1. What two things make Chapter 4 different?

2. In what way was Chapter 4 included in Scripture?

3. To whom was the King’s address intended?

4. What was the purpose of the King’s salutation?

5. What role did the Babylonian gods play?

6. What did Nebuchadnezzar acknowledge?

7. How did Nebuchadnezzar finally honor God?

 

 

If this study was a blessing to you, make it a blessing to others.

SAVE AND FORWARD THIS LINK

http://breadoflifeministriesassoc.blogspot.com/