DANIEL SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 4.27

Gleanings from the Book of Daniel:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

DANIEL

Chapter Four

                           The Second Dream of Nebuchadnezzar:

 (Humbling Nebuchadnezzar)

The Tree Dream Fulfilled

 

 

Introduction

Nebuchadnezzar had been festering elation after being told by Daniel he was the head of gold depicted in his first dream (cf. 2:37-38). Some twenty years later, the king had a golden image of himself erected on the plain of Dura for everyone to worship (cf. 3:1, 5). Additionally, there is no mention of Nebuchadnezzar’s change of heart after the miraculous fiery furnace ordeal (cf. Daniel 4).

 

So, at the zenith of his kingship (about 572 B.C.), Daniel stepped in to give Nebuchadnezzar some sound advice. Here was his recommendation…

 

 

(Verse 27)

 

Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.

 

The Counsel of Daniel

Nebuchadnezzar had been a merciless and murderous king. After the Tree Dream had been interpreted, Daniel fearlessly exhorted the King to address the shortcomings of his character. The Prophet pleaded:

1. To seek redemption, and righteousness with God

2. To be merciful and gracious to the poor

 

The words of Isaiah are rightly applied:

Isaiah 55:7 - Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.

 

Also applicable is the advice to Simon the sorcerer from Peter:

Acts 8:22 - Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

 

In adhering to David’s counsel, Nebuchadnezzar would thus prolong his prosperity, and avert God’s judgment.

 

 

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)

(Verse 28)

 

All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar.

 

Fulfillment of the Dream

It is evident Nebuchadnezzar does not adhere to the interpretation and heed the counsel of Daniel. It appears he was not convicted, and there was no repentance. Therefore, the following judgments will be placed upon the King.  

 

 

(Verse 29)

 

At the end of twelve months, he walked in [on the roof of] the [royal] palace of the kingdom of Babylon.

 

God had given Nebuchadnezzar one year to straighten out his life. Still, it becomes evident he did not regard Daniel’s warning.

 

 

(Verse 30)

 

The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?

 

The Pride of Nebuchadnezzar

Whilst walking on the roof of his royal palace one day in the largest, most powerful city of antiquity, Nebuchadnezzar overlooked the capital city of Babylon. And, in vainglory, he boasted of all his remarkable achievements, rather than credit God. Nevertheless, the Monarch exhibits arrogance and pride.

 

Take note of the “I’s” and “my’s” in this passage:

1. The great Babylon I built for the capital of the Kingdom

a.  His construction of buildings, and temples to the gods

 

2. The great Babylon I built by the might of my power

a.  His military ability won him an empire

 

3. The great Babylon I built in the honour of my majesty

a.  His Hanging Gardens won him prestige and fame

 

Through Daniel’s influence, Nebuchadnezzar had many opportunities (cf. Daniel 1:20; 2:28, 44-47; 3:25-29; 4:2-3, 27), but he refused to acknowledge the Most High God of Heaven.

 

A Song of Degrees for Solomon states: 

Psalm 127:1 - Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep (guards) the city, the watchman waketh (stays awake) but in vain.

 

A pithy proverb is also fitting to the narrative:

Proverbs 10:24 - What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted. (ESV)

 

Nebuchadnezzar’s Pride

After several attempts to evangelize the King, pride had gotten the best of Nebuchadnezzar. Since the image dream, it had been building up to the point where he considered being a god. This is demonstrated in Chapter 3 by erecting a statue of himself to be worshipped. The manifestation of his pride is evidenced in Chapter 4.

 

Pride

Pride is one of the worst forms of sin God hates. It embodies self-esteem and superiority in oneself over God. And, it brings about arrogance that leads to destruction.

 

Lucifer was the first example of one who exhibited pride (cf. Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:11-19). Only God is to be worshipped above everyone and everything.

 

Scripture gives some insight into the issue of pride:

Old Testament Examples

 

Job 40:12 – Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low [i.e., humble him]; and tread down the wicked in their place.

 

Proverbs 8:13 - The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

 

Proverbs 16:5a – Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD.

 

Proverbs 16:18 – Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

 

Proverbs 21:4 - An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

 

Proverbs 26:12 – Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

 

Proverbs 28:25-26 - He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat. He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

 

Isaiah 5:21 - Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

 

Jeremiah 9:23a – Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom.

 

New Testament Examples

Matthew 23:12 - And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

 

James 4:6b - God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

 

1 Peter 5:6 - Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.

 

 

(Verse 31)

 

While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.

 

In the very act of speaking, a loud voice from heaven pronounced judgment upon the King. Immediately he became insane. Additionally, he was told his Kingdom had been taken from him.

 

Commentary

God always warns before He sends judgment. One year had passed before punishment fell upon Nebuchadnezzar. Sometimes a person may step out of the will of God. Even if a person rejects God after he has heard the truth, God does not always react immediately. He patiently awaits the sinner to come to repentance.

 

 

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

(Verse 32)

 

And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

 

Apart from the loss of his Kingdom, the following conditions were added upon Nebuchadnezzar:

1. He would lose his royal authority among his subjects

2. He would live like the wild animals in the field

3. He would eat grass for his diet like cattle

 

There are no indications Nebuchadnezzar became a particular animal, but there are two known possibilities:

1. Lycanthropy

The term lycanthropy, a wolf-man, is often used to describe Nebuchadnezzar’s condition. It is a psychosis whereby the person experiences a form of madness involving the delusion of being an animal, usually a wolf, with correspondingly altered behavior.

 

2. Boanthropy

Boanthropy (“an ox-man”) is a psychological disorder that causes a person to believe he is a cow while retaining inwardly normal consciousness. One’s behavior is similar to a cow, i.e., walking on all fours, and eating grass.

 

Furthermore, Nebuchadnezzar was to remain in this state for seven years until he came to the realization and acknowledgment that the Most High God has sole rulership over the affairs of men. Also, by God’s authority, kings and rulers are placed in their positions at His discretion (cf. 1 Samuel 2:8; Daniel 2:21; Romans 13:1).  

 

 

(Verse 33)

 

The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.

 

This passage describes the wretchedness of Nebuchadnezzar’s condition. More importantly, the Word of the Lord was fulfilled. Also in addition and not previously mentioned, the text informs that two features of his anatomy were supernaturally altered as a result of his beastly lifestyle:

1. His body absorbed the dew from heaven

2. His hair grew like the feathers of an eagle

3. His fingernails grew like bird claws or talons  

 

Observations

Nebuchadnezzar had sunk to a subhuman level. Despite his helpless condition, he was not harmed during his chastisement. Other notations perceived:  

1. It is doubtless the King was under the divine protection of God

 

2. It was considered bad luck in the ancient world to kill an insane person, therefore Nebuchadnezzar had been spared from harm

 

 

3. It is assumed Nebuchadnezzar grazed in a secluded yard round about the Palace

 

4. It is likely during those seven years, Daniel played a major role in preserving the Kingdom

 

The irony of the storyline: Nebuchadnezzar, once the king of a Golden Empire, lived like an animal for seven years suffering the consequences of pride and rebellion. Job sums up Nebuchadnezzar’s predicament well when he exclaims:

Job 20:12 - That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite (godless) but for a moment?

 

Discover King Nebuchadnezzar’s subsequent conundrum in the henceforward study.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1. What controlled Nebuchadnezzar’s thinking?

2. What advice did Daniel give the King?

3. How long did God give Nebuchadnezzar to repent?

4. What lesson did Nebuchadnezzar not heed?

5. What did the King supernaturally hear?

6. What was Nebuchadnezzar’s punishment?

7. When did Nebuchadnezzar receive his judgment?

 

 

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