Sermon Tone Analysis

*Daniel as Secretary of State*

10~/15~/2008                                         Stan Lubeck

Daniel 4:4-37                                      The LIFEhouse Church

We are beginning a three week series called Christian Values in a political world.

I hope you won't miss one week.

Some of you think it is impossible to be a Republican and be a Christian.

Some of you think that it is impossible to be a Democrat.

Some of you haven't voted in a long time because you are so depressed with the system and the limited options.

Some of you, like me, are fascinated with this election.

You have opinions on everything.

Others of you hardly notice that there is an election…

I'm indebted to Andy Stanley – son of Charles Stanley for some of his insights on this passage.

This is the story of King Nebuchadnezzar – who can spell it?

Who would name their child that?

This all happened around 580-567 BC

It was a time of peach and prosperity in Babylon.

But it is a message that sin will always catch up to us.

*There is a false security when we think God does not know, or see or care about our sin.*

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I.                A Divine Appointment

God is giving Daniel access to the most powerful king in the world at that time.

*Daniel is able to speak* into the life of this world leader about *a fundamental truth* of all leadership on this planet.

What was it that Daniel had to say?

We will see that it is as if Daniel is the Secretary of State, in his influence, his stature, his opportunity to speak, *what God put in his mouth to speak.*

This was a *Divine appointment* that God arranged, and when the time was right Daniel communicated with the wonderful balance of truth and love.

*God gave him* the words to speak at the right time, and he *refused to tickle* the King's ears… for favored status.

This story happens in what is considered a *parenthesis* in Biblical history.

God had warned the nation of Israel that if you do not obey His commandments, *I'm going to judge you*.

God was *allowing foreigners* to invade the land and take over for a period of *70 years*, when He was judging the nation of Israel.

This story happened during that 70 year period of captivity.

It is known as the *Babylonian Captivity.*

This was a time when God was *not* actively working in lives *because of their disbelief.*

So people *assumed* that he was out of action permanently.

People started to think that God had *left town* and didn't care what was happening on earth.

This could not be further from the truth.

Even in this period of Babylonian Captivity, *God acted and showed Himself involved, and in power.*

When there is a vacuum of power other powers will arise and the *god Marduk* (lower g) this pagan god, is being worshiped.

When people stop worshiping the true God, any god will do…

The *Temple* in Jerusalem has been destroyed and the walls around the city have been torn down.

*How could the God of insignificant Judah*, whose people had been led away in humiliation, be anything but insignificant too?[i]

*But Daniel had no* doubts that God could intervene in space and time.

The conquering King Nebuchadnezzar was a brilliant king.

What set him apart from other ancient kings was that when he would conquer a people or a nation, he would gather together their most brilliants minds, their wisest men and he would use their wisdom to *help him* govern the nation.

Instead of doing what all the other kings would do, tear everything down and wipe out all the people, Nebuchadnezzar would go in and *find the best and the brightest* and the most talented and bring them into Babylon.

He *surrounded himself* with the best and the brightest regardless of nationality.

He would allow them to have offices and places of responsibility in Babylon.

He wasn't "*prejudiced*."

It was more important to him to surround himself with the sharpest people and with those with the greatest insight, than to gather those who were of *his own nationality and background*.

I'm sure that he *irritated many* who thought they deserved the favored positions because of who they knew, or the positions held, or line of succession, or career track.

*Nebuchadnezzar had a teachable spirit!*

He didn't assume that just because the Babylonians had conquered these other nations, that somehow the Babylonians had the corner on the market of wisdom.

You could be a conquered slave, and if you were a great mathematician or a skilled craftsman, artist or scientist, or a wise counselor, Nebuchadnezzar would put you to good use in Babylon for the benefit of the empire.

*You could be a slave*, and yet once your talent and ability was revealed, you would be allowed to have quite the status and a place in the economy of Babylon.

You could be an alien and yet practice your skill.

Consequently, Nebuchadnezzar was *surrounded with the best and the brightest minds* of the known world.

He was *not intimidated* by sharp people.

In his wisdom, he *surrounded himself* with the best minds and most talented people in the land.

What an amazing leader!

He was not *like some leaders* who surround themselves with "yes" men, status climbers and *political opportunists*.

*This is why Nebuchadnezzar was such an amazing leader!*

When he conquered the nation of Israel and destroyed the city of Jerusalem, he brought the best back to Babylon.

*Four of those brought back were Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

*We are familiar with these guys and that is how they got to Babylon, as *captive slaves.*

They were trained and educated in the ways of the Babylonians and over time, because of Neb's openness and the favor of God, they rose up to the position of *advisors* to the *most powerful king* in the world at that time, King Nebuchadnezzar.

This all happened in Babylon which is in *modern day Iraq*.

In fact *Saddam Hussein* wanted to recreate the kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar and re-establish his reign over the same territory as ancient Babylon.

As you know, *Saddam's plan* didn't go over so well.

So life is good for King Neb!

The empire is solid and he is benefiting from all of the conquered nations and the bounty brought in as well.

He is prosperous beyond imagination and content with all that the world and unmatched power could provide.

Neb's building projects were impressive and magnificent.

He built canals that carried water throughout the city, fed by the Euphrates River.

He built palace gardens that gained international attention.

His home would eventually be named one of the *seven wonders of the ancient world.*

He had the luxuriously appointed King's pad… Big Screen TV, the latest i-phone, wi-fi and a direct line to the Home Shopping Network.

(I added this part)

In the midst of his expansive prosperity and success, he has *a dream that rocks his world*.

And that is where our story begins.

Beginning with Daniel 4:4 Neb tells his own story.

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II.

A Divine Announcement

*Daniel 4:4-5* I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous.

I had a dream that made me afraid.

As I was lying in my bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me.

NIV

Nebuchadnezzar dreamed that there was this *giant tree* and under the tree were all these animals living and resting under it's branches.

The tree provided them with plenty to eat.

Life was good for all the *animals and birds in the neighborhood*.

Everybody was happy and at peace.

It is speaking of Neb's *world empire* that provided for many.

Then the story turns on it's head.

There is a *loud voice* that cries out, *"cut down the tree."*

Suddenly in the dream, the tree starts to be cut down and the voice says, "*scatter the animals*" and the animals run for their lives and the tree is cut down until it is just a stump.

Then place a *metal band* around the stump to protect it from total ruin.

Then at the end of the dream a voice speaks up…

And we pick up the story in verse 17

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III.

A Divine Accomplishment

*Daniel 4:17* “ ‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men.’

NIV

This is quite a proclamation to one who *thinks* he is the most high.