Dare to Stand Alone 6 - Nebuchadnezzar's Second Dream - Daniel 4:1 - 37
Notes
Transcript
8 You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape; 9 my eye grows dim through sorrow. Every day I call upon you, O Lord; I spread out my hands to you.
1 King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you! 2 It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me. 3 How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation. 4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and prospering in my palace. 5 I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me. 6 So I made a decree that all the wise men of Babylon should be brought before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers came in, and I told them the dream, but they could not make known to me its interpretation. 8 At last Daniel came in before me—he who was named Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods—and I told him the dream, saying, 9 “O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too difficult for you, tell me the visions of my dream that I saw and their interpretation. 10 The visions of my head as I lay in bed were these: I saw, and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great. 11 The tree grew and became strong, and its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth. 12 Its leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, and the birds of the heavens lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it. 13 “I saw in the visions of my head as I lay in bed, and behold, a watcher, a holy one, came down from heaven. 14 He proclaimed aloud and said thus: ‘Chop down the tree and lop off its branches, strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts flee from under it and the birds from its branches. 15 But leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, amid the tender grass of the field. Let him be wet with the dew of heaven. Let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from a man’s, and let a beast’s mind be given to him; and let seven periods of time pass over him. 17 The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.’ 18 This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. And you, O Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because 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 gods is in you.” 19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was dismayed for a while, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king answered and said, “Belteshazzar, let not the dream or the interpretation alarm you.” Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you and its interpretation for your enemies! 20 The tree you saw, which grew and became strong, so that its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth, 21 whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which beasts of the field found shade, and in whose branches the birds of the heavens lived— 22 it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong. Your greatness has grown and reaches to heaven, and your dominion to the ends of the earth. 23 And because the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field, and let him be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven periods of time pass over him,’ 24 this is the interpretation, O king: It is a decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king, 25 that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will. 26 And as it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be confirmed for you from the time that you know that Heaven rules. 27 Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.” 28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” 31 While the words were still in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, 32 and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” 33 Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers, and his nails were like birds’ claws. 34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honoured him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; 35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” 36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendour returned to me. My counsellors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
Introduction
Amazing things had been happening. Four young men Daniel, Hananiah, Mishaal and Azariah. They stood out, would not eat the food that had been offered to idols. They were intelligent, hard working, committed servants of God, whom they would honour come what may.
Nebuchadnezzar had a troubling dream. The wise men could not say what it was or interpret it. Daniel could. Not a natural gift, but a gracious gift of God. The result of a true commitment to God, the power of prayer, an unshakeable faith and trust in the living God.
Daniel proclaimed God’s word in the interpretation. He is promoted to a most senior position. His three companions were also given high positions.
Then Nebuchadnezzar acts foolishly. He builds a massive statute. Everyone must bow down to it and worship it. Hananiah, Mishaal and Azariah do not. They are thrown into the fiery furnace it does not harm for Christ is there.
Slide
1. Nebuchadnezzar Praises God 4:1-3
1. Nebuchadnezzar Praises God 4:1-3
1 King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you! 2 It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me. 3 How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation.
That is often the experience of men and women who are exposed to the things of God. When they first hear them they are alarmed, but come eventually to the place where they are entirely unaffected by what they hear. They are no nearer to bowing the knee to God than they were at the beginning. Olyott, S. (1982). Dare to Stand Alone: Daniel Simply Explained (p. 52). Evangelical Press.
His previous recognition of Jehovah as the greatest God is now even clearer. He admits that no other God can deliver like He can. He is almost on the verge of saying that there is no other God.
Yet there is not the slightest hint in the narrative that his own will has been broken. There is no indication that he has yet come to the point of bowing to God and worshipping Him. In his heart of hearts he remains as stubborn as before. Olyott, S. (1982). Dare to Stand Alone: Daniel Simply Explained (p. 52). Evangelical Press.
Slide
2. Nebuchadnezzar’s Second Dream 4v4-18
2. Nebuchadnezzar’s Second Dream 4v4-18
a. Frightening v5-6
a. Frightening v5-6
5 I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me. 6 So I made a decree that all the wise men of Babylon should be brought before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream.
b. Daniel Called v8-9
b. Daniel Called v8-9
8 At last Daniel came in before me—he who was named Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods—and I told him the dream, saying, 9 “O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too difficult for you, tell me the visions of my dream that I saw and their interpretation.
The wise men could not interpret it.
c. The Dream v10-18
c. The Dream v10-18
i. A Massive Tree
ii. Abundant Fruit
iii. Shelter for beasts and birds
iv. A holy one - cut down the tree
v. Stump left and bound
The Prophecy of Daniel: A Commentary The Content of Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream (vv. 10–18)
the withdrawal of free self-determination through the fetter of madness,” cf.
vi. Let him be a beast.
16 Let his mind be changed from a man’s, and let a beast’s mind be given to him; and let seven periods of time pass over him.
vii. Dan 4:17
17 The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.’
Nebuchadnezzar asks Daniel to interpret it.
Slide
3. Daniel Interprets the Dream v19-27
3. Daniel Interprets the Dream v19-27
a. Alarmed v19
a. Alarmed v19
19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was dismayed for a while, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king answered and said, “Belteshazzar, let not the dream or the interpretation alarm you.” Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you and its interpretation for your enemies!
b. The Interpretation v20-27
b. The Interpretation v20-27
i. The Tree v22
i. The Tree v22
22 it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong. Your greatness has grown and reaches to heaven, and your dominion to the ends of the earth.
ii. The Interpretation v24-25
ii. The Interpretation v24-25
24 this is the interpretation, O king: It is a decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king, 25 that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.
iii. The Stump v26
iii. The Stump v26
26 And as it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be confirmed for you from the time that you know that Heaven rules.
iv. Daniel’s Plea v27
iv. Daniel’s Plea v27
27 Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.”
Slide
4. Nebuchadnezzar’s Humiliation v28-33
4. Nebuchadnezzar’s Humiliation v28-33
a. Pride v28-30
a. Pride v28-30
28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?”
b. Immediate Judgement v33
b. Immediate Judgement v33
33 Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers, and his nails were like birds’ claws.
The symbolic weight of seven originates in creation itself—God completed the work of making the world in seven days, establishing the seven-day week as a fundamental rhythm of time.[1][2] From this foundation, seven became consistently associated with wholeness and divine perfection throughout Scripture.
God struck the proud king with an affliction known as ‘lycanthropy’. This is where a person thinks himself to be an animal while, at the same time, preserving sufficient inner consciousness to remember who he actually is. People suffering from this dreadful complaint act like the animal they imagine themselves to be, and make whatever noises characterize it. Olyott, S.
Dare to Stand Alone: Daniel Simply Explained The Events of Chapter 4—The Conversion of Nebuchadnezzar
One particular form of this disease is called ‘boanthropy’....Such people believed themselves to be oxen or cows, and behaved exactly like them, without fully forgetting their true identity.
Slide
5. Nebuchadnezzar Restored v34-37
5. Nebuchadnezzar Restored v34-37
34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honoured him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; 35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” 36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendour returned to me. My counsellors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
Our second point is to notice that God did it, not by boosting the man up, but by knocking him down. That is how God converts people! Olyott, S.
Conclusion
Two Lessons
The first is that we should never despair of the conversion of anybody. Who would have thought that the powerful king, taking God’s people captive and pressurizing God’s remnant to join him in idolatry, would one day himself be in fellowship with that God? It was to a total pagan that the exiles bowed in 605 B.C. Surely it was impossible that he should ever become one of the people of God himself! But with God nothing shall be called impossible. Olyott, S.
The most merciful thing that God can do to a sinner is to knock him down. In that position a man or woman is always safe. The only way he can turn his eyes is upwards. The only place to which he can appeal is heaven. Olyott, S.
God converts in God’s way
A commonly used Sinner’s Prayer is: “Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sins and invite You into my heart and life. I trust and follow You as my Lord and Saviour. Amen.”
