DANIEL SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 4.34

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

 

 

Review

Recall, Nebuchadnezzar had a second dream where he envisioned a great tree growing until it shadowed the entire earth. It gave shelter to beasts of the field and birds of the air.

 

Next, the King witnessed a holy messenger (a watcher), sent from God, giving orders to cut down the tree, leave the stump banded, and the roots to remain in the ground so it would one day be revitalized. Shortly thereafter, Nebuchadnezzar summoned his Chaldean wise men and soothsayers to interpret his dream, but to no avail.

 

Then Daniel was called to interpret the dream. He told Nebuchadnezzar the correct meaning as follows:

1. The tree represented the King and the Babylonian Empire

2. The God of Heaven would unseat the King from his throne

3. The King would be stricken with mental illness for 7 years

4. The King would also live like a wild animal for 7 years

 

Because of Nebuchadnezzar’s unwavering pride, the seven-year dream had been fulfilled as predicted. But, during the 7 years, no other king arose to conquer the Empire due to God’s protection.

 

The Key to Chapter 4: The Most High God ruleth in the kingdom of men and giveth to whomsoever He will (cf. 4:1, 25, 32)

 

 

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)

(Verse 34)

 

And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honoured Him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His Kingdom is from generation to generation.

 

God’s Purpose Fulfilled

After God allowed Nebuchadnezzar to be stricken by temporary madness, He restored him to a sound mental state. Right at this time, Nebuchadnezzar returned to his personal testimony in Verse 34, and spake from the third person back to the first person singular.

 

Accordingly and immediately at the close of the seven-year chastisement period:

1. He lifted his eyes to heaven

2. He had his understanding returned to him

 

As a result, Nebuchadnezzar proclaimed a public confession:

1.  He blessed the Most High God

2.  He praised the Most High God

3.  He honoured the Most High God

4.  He confessed the Most High God’s eternal Kingdom

5.  He recognized the Most High God’s sovereignty

 

Interestingly enough, it took exactly 7 years for Nebuchadnezzar to realize and learn the lesson of Isaiah the prophet:

Isaiah 45:22 - Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

 

Ironically, one of the greatest Gentile kings in world history became a recipient of God’s grace. Thus, by declaring God’s dominion and authority remaining unchanged from generation to generation, Nebuchadnezzar gave credence and evidence to his redemptive behavior.

 

 

(Verse 35)

 

And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed (counted or regarded) as nothing: and he doeth according to His will in the army of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay (resist or restrain) His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?

 

From his experience, the King has now adopted a different set of values. When Nebuchadnezzar contrasted the Most High God as the Creator and Ruler of the universe to all the inhabitants of the earth, they are merely regarded as nothing.

 

Concerning creation, the prophet Nehemiah rightly spoke these words glorifying God:

Nehemiah 9:6 - Thou, even Thou, art LORD alone; Thou hast made Heaven, the Heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and Thou preservest them all; and the host of Heaven worshippeth Thee.

 

Isaiah too makes this acknowledgment:

Isaiah 40:15, 17 - Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, He taketh up the isles as a very little thing…All nations before Him are as nothing; and they are counted to Him less than nothing, and vanity.

 

What doest Thou?

The text begs the question, What have You done? Only to accept the answer: God does what He pleases, and all glory goes to what He has done.

 

 

(Verse 36)

 

At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellers and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.

 

Restoration

After he came to the acceptance of the one true God, it appears Nebuchadnezzar transitioned back to his sound mind almost immediately and retained his royal dignity. This is evidenced by several things in the text:

1. His understanding returned unto him

2. His honour returned unto him

3. His splendor returned unto him

4. His counselors sought unto him

5. His lords sought unto him

6. His Kingdom was reestablished unto him

7. Additional greatness was added unto him

 

Inadvertently, words of wisdom from Solomon echo Nebuchadnezzar’s transformation clearly:

Proverbs 22:4 - By humility and the fear of the  LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

 

 

(Verse 37)

 

Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of Heaven, all whose works are truth, and His ways judgment: and those that walk in pride He is able to abase (humble).

 

Final Words of Nebuchadnezzar

So, in a proclamation sent to everyone in the Empire, Nebuchadnezzar confessed the hand of God humbled him to espouse the Most High God of Daniel. He had been brought to full admission and submission to the Creator God. Additionally, the concluding words of his testimony as King of Babylon are thereby noteworthy:

1. God’s words are true

2. God’s ways are just

3. God’s power is unlimited

 

As a eulogy to Nebuchadnezzar, Jeremiah’s lament is truly applicable:

Jeremiah 9:23-24 - Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

 

 

Conclusion

Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, died a few years later with no apparent heir. At least four contenders vied for the royal throne. Some ruled briefly, nonetheless, they met early deaths.

 

Nabonidus, Nebuchadnezzar's son-in-law became the recognized successor, however, he seemed to be more interested in archaeology than the monarchy. So that he could be occupied with excavations in Arabia, Nabonidus permitted and promoted his young son Belshazzar to become Babylon’s coregent.

 

Nebuchadnezzar’s political message for leaders today is simply:

GOD RULES!

 

 

As the study continues, Daniel Chapter 5 begins the tragic story of a new king who had no regard for the God of Israel. Not only did he live in self-indulgence, but his immoral and sacrilegious acts led to the fall of a great Empire.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1. When did the King finally honour the Most High God?

2. How did Nebuchadnezzar honour God?

3. What happened to the King when he honoured God?

4. What additional blessing did Nebuchadnezzar receive?

5. How do earth’s inhabitants compare to the Creator God?

6. What was Nebuchadnezzar’s new position on pride?

7. To whom was the King’s personal testimony addressed?

 

 

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