Daniel 4 - God Rules: Be Humbled; Take Comfort
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Four sinful attitudes - no attitude
Self-made
self-sufficiency, self-pride, we are the creature, passive, to receive, God is the giver,
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
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.” All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar.
Builder
archelogy
built two temple (marduk and Babylon)
Built another in Nebo
Built 15 other temples
Rebuilt wall of the city
Rebuilt a palace - in 15 days
Daniel 4:29 (ESV)
At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon,
Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
And she did not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the wine, and the oil, and who lavished on her silver and gold, which they used for Baal.
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
human effort is not a guarantee for success
our efforts not grace
wilderness for 40 years
manna daily gathered, daily depend
self-reliance is the curse of the church (Lloyd Jones)
2. Self-rights
3. Ungratefulness
4. Doubts, worry, fear
Message Introduction
Message Introduction
The historical record enables us to follow Nebuchadnezzar’s subsequent career after the construction and erection of the gold statue in chapter 3. We know from Babylonian sources that Nebuchadnezzar’s tenth year of his rule was 594 BC. He then laid siege to Jerusalem in 589-587, finally sacking the city and destroying the temple in 587. His motivation was likely the king’s realization that the vassal king of Judah (Zedekiah), had made an alliance with other nations against Nebuchadnezzar. So, whatever acknowledgments Nebuchadnezzar made previously regarding YHWH in the first three chapters of Daniel did not prevent him from destroying YHWH’s temple in Jerusalem.
Next, the king laid siege for thirteen years to the costal city of Tyre (from 586-573), he engaged in a battle in Egypt in 568/567 so as to crush another revolt by a vassal state subject to the Babylonian empire. We do know that Nebuchadnezzar died in 562 BC. So, if this chapter depicts a time at least one year prior to the king’s death in 562, one possible time frame for the chapter is somewhere between 573-569, with Nebuchadnezzar in Egypt in 568/67 well enough to lead his troops being an indication that he had regained his health and sanity.3 No official Babylonian records mention the king’s illness (official state records end in 594 BC–about the time the king built his statue), but there are other accounts of Nebuchadnezzar’s illness and recovery which have come down to us in the form of tradition and legend.
One Christian writer (Eusebius of Caesarea) recounts a Babylonian tradition that Nebuchadnezzar cried out from the roof of his palace that great misfortune was about to befall his people (a Persian victory). The Jewish historian Josephus cites a similar legend to the effect that the king was felled by a mysterious illness and died in his 43rd year of rule.
So, while not ironclad as we would like, there is some external evidence to the effect that Nebuchadnezzar did have some sort of serious mental illness late in his career.
Psychologized culture (Voddie Baucham – Daniel 4: 4 – 37 - Nebuchadnezzar Loses His Mind)
Mental health
Psychiatry
Over-diagnosis
Bi-polar
Depression
ADD
Anxiety
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Chemical imbalance
No testing
Feelings and functionings
DSM - voting on diagnosis
Psychiatric medication advertisements
“God-like” psychiatrist
De-stigmatization
Marginalization of the church
Do not consult our pastor
Problems
Quasi-scientific at best
Lack of accountability
Psychology and psychiatry have never cured anyone of anything
Dangerous side effect of the medication
They focus on the physical side but spiritual side
They are unquestioned
The main characters in Daniel 4
God
Nebuchadnezzar
Maybe 20-30 years later
does his job
praying
always ready to speak for God
Be faithful plodders (Kevin DeYoung)
Message Outline
Message Outline
Message Exposition
Message Exposition
Nebuchadnezzar’s praise to God
King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you! It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation.
Incorporation of Nebuchadnezzar’s own testimony
Form of a letter
Nebuchadnezzar calls the wise men of Babylon to come to interpret the dream - but only Daniel can interpret the dream
I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and prospering in my palace. I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me. 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. 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. 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, “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.
wise men of Babylon could not interpret the dream
Daniel wait until the wise men failed
Babylonian name - Belteshazzar - Babylonians gods
And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.”
Daniel’s point is that just as YHWH protected his people Israel while they were held captive in Egypt, so too, God will protect those Israelites then in exile in Babylon.Daniel’s point is that just as YHWH protected his people Israel while they were held captive in Egypt, so too, God will protect those Israelites then in exile in Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar recall the dream
Vision # 1 - The dream
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. The tree grew and became strong, and its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth. 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.
Vision # 2 - Watcher - calls for the tree to be cut down
Daniel 4:13–15 (ESV)
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.
Tree is personified
Daniel 4:15–17 (ESV)
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.’
Verse 17 is the key to this dream, its interpretation, and the key to this chapter. It reads that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men. The point is to show that God is sovereign over all kingdoms and gives rule to whoever he wills.
Nebuchadnezzar asks Daniel to interpret the dream
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.”
Daniel interpret the dream
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.
Dream fulfilled
Daniel 4:28–37 (ESV)
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 honored 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 splendor returned to me. My counselors 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.
Nebuchadnezzar’s
Perspective
Peace
Understanding people (John Henderson)
To understand people, we have to understand that whatever rules a person’s heart rules their lives. But the circumstances of our fallen bodies and fallen world can affect us they do not determine us. Whenever captures your heart captures you whether it’s the Holy Spirit or something else.
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
The passage from Proverbs tells us that whatever flows from our heart springs forth in life. When the Bible speaks of a heart, it is the home for our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Out of the heart comes our cognitions, affections, and volitions.
Flesh controls our heart (John Henderson)
Cognition are all of the thoughts that we have weather there in moral, and Pure, idolatrous, jealous, wrathful, envious, any of these thoughts flow from our fleshly heart.
Affections are in moral affections, impure affections, idolatrous affections, jealous, wrathful, envious, all the infections like these.
Volition are immoral actions, impure actions, idolatrous actions, jealous actions, outburst of anger, enmity, strife disputes, drunkenness, actions like these
Holy Spirit controls our hearts (John Henderson)
Cognition - Loving thoughts, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, self-controlled thoughts
Affections - Loving affections, joyful affections, peaceful affections, patient affections, kind affections, good affections, faithful affections, gentle affections, and self-controlled affections
Volition - Loving actions, joyful actions, peaceful actions, patient actions, kind actions, good actions, faithful actions, gentle actions, and self-controlled actions.
The question Is who is the Master and Mission of your heart? The Master and Mission of a person’s heart is the most significant force in a person’s thinking, feelings, and acting.
The master and mission of our hearts is the factor that determines what we do as well as why and how we do it.
All of the psychologies, sociologies, and behavioral sciences of this world will try to answer the question, “why do people think, feel, and act as they do?” And it is a question Scripture answers with great clarity and wisdom.
Every human being is born committed to self and his or her personal kingdom above all. We are born hostile to God’s kingdom. Nations are in an uproar and people devise vain things (Psalm 2).
All other kingdoms especially, God’s compete with our own. Our sinful flesh denies, avoids, resist the very existence of God and His kingdom.
If self and my kingdom rule my heart, then all of my thoughts, emotions, and actions will be shaped and determined accordingly.
Before we are brought to Christ, sin enslaves us. Captivates us. Bind us. Hold us as its prisoner.
1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. 3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.
Christ and His kingdom (John Henderson)
When salvation of God comes to us by His grace through faith we become a new creation.
A new and greater force fills our hearts is the Holy Spirit of God. If we walk in the Spirit then we will bear fruit of the Spirit.
Since the sinful flesh remains alive in our hearts to some degree, we must decide each day which Master and Mission to live under - whether self and my kingdom or Christ and His kingdom.
23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
The major factor related to what or who rules our hearts is what our hearts treasure, whether eternal pleasures or earthly pleasures.
This has to do with any object for which our hearts are most affectionate.
It is the purest expectation expression of what rules are hearts for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
If we allow this sinful flesh to rule us, then we will live in pursuit of temporal, earthly pleasures. Our vision will be quite short-sighted and our delights short-lived.
If we allow the Holy Spirit to rule us, and shape our affections and desires, then we will treasure Jesus and eternal life with Him.
The temporal earthly treasures will be used as a means to love God and others rather than an end until themselves.
Though we live on earth, our hearts can look towards heaven where God dwells. We can strive for pleasures and things that endure forever.
Affections and habits fixed upon eternal promises and riches take time to develop as a Christian. Most believers live with a sense of heaven but treasuring heavenly things namely God and eternal life with Him and His people must be fed and fostered over time.
God is sovereign in and over all (John Henderson)
37 Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? 38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come?
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Every aspect of human experience, including the expression of our souls, takes place under the will and purposes of God. Nothing comes about without His permission. He governs all and uses all things for the eternal purpose and good of His people (conforming them to the image of Christ) to the glory of His name.
We are therefore completely dependent upon the grace of God for new hearts, personal transformation, and deliverance from both earthly and everlasting peril.
So whatever rules your heart, rules your life.
God is in Charge: Our Hope in Troubling Times
We must remember that God is in charge (West Palm Notes) - Verse 35
First, people are nothing before him
Second, God does what he wants
Third, God cannot be stopped.
Fourth, no one can question God.
As a result, we should be humble and comforted
Jeremiah 9:23-24
James 1:17
Put your hope in God alone (Daniel)
Chapter 1 - God gave
Chapter 2 - God reigns
Chapter 3 - God delivers
Chapter 4 - God rules
We need not worry
Discussion Questions
Discussion Questions
What new thoughts have you had since reading and studying the passage or from hearing James’s message?
What verse from this passage will you commit to meditate on and memorizing this week? Write it down. Share it with others.
Bringing It Home
Bringing It Home
Pondering the Passage:
Pondering the Passage:
What is the main point of the passage?
Learn
Learn
What did I learn?
Where has my thinking, beliefs, and values been challenged in this passage?
Do I find any of the characteristics ways of thinking or behaving of the ungodly in my life?
List and describe those areas in which I struggle.
Love
Love
What does this passage teach me about God?
Has my thinking about God changed?
How have I learned to love God more and others selflessly as a result of this passage?
Have I learned ways that I have acted unlovingly towards others that I must change?
Live
Live
What are the practical steps that I can take to apply to what I have learned in this passage?
Where must I change?
What do I need to repent and confess?
How will pondering and personalizing this passage change how I live my life today and moving forward?
Praying the Passage (ACTS)
Praying the Passage (ACTS)
What specific things can I pray adoring God because of what I learned in this passage?
What specific things do I need to confess based on what I learned from this passage?
What specific things do I need to thank God for based on what I learned from this passage?
What specific things do I need to request in prayer (supplication) based on what I learned from this passage?