First Baptist Church Laredo
10-23-19 - Daniel 4
  • Once again, Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that he cannot interpret. He summons Daniel to interpret the dream. The main issue in this chapter is pride. We will see that the dream is a warning to Nebuchadnezzar concerning his pride. In such a lofty position, it would be easy to forget God in favor of thinking that you are in control. This passage is a clear reminder of the proverb:
    Proverbs 16:18 CSB
    18 Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.

    1. Nebuchadnezzar decree ()

    Nebuchadnezzar made progress in his understanding of God. Chapter 3 concluded with Nebuchadnezzar praising God and this chapter opens with a clear statement of praise. We should be mindful that Nebuchadnezzar was a polytheist. It would have been no big deal to simply add another god to be worshipped.
    Daniel 4:1–3 CSB
    1 King Nebuchadnezzar, To those of every people, nation, and language, who live on the whole earth: May your prosperity increase. 2 I am pleased to tell you about the miracles and wonders the Most High God has done for me. 3 How great are his miracles, and how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.

    A. Nebuchadnezzar gave an official proclamation of praise to God. (4:1-3)

    This is not a spontaneous outburst. This had the feel of an official proclamation. He wanted everyone to know this God and what was done for him by God.

    B. Nebuchadnezzar highlights God’s sovereignty and interaction with the world (4:2-3)

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    God performed signs and wonders. He has an eternal kingdom. He is over all. The next part of the chapter continues from Nebuchadnezzar’s perspective.

    2. The dream and search for meaning ()

    A. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and brought the wise men in to find the meaning. (4:4-6)

    Daniel 4:4–6 CSB
    4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and flourishing in my palace. 5 I had a dream, and it frightened me; while in my bed, the images and visions in my mind alarmed me. 6 So I issued a decree to bring all the wise men of Babylon to me in order that they might make the dream’s interpretation known to me.

    B. The wise men couldn’t figure out the dream (4:7)

    Daniel 4:7 CSB
    7 When the magicians, mediums, Chaldeans, and diviners came in, I told them the dream, but they could not make its interpretation known to me.
    Unlike the previous dream in chapter two, apparently, he tells them the dream, but they still can’t make sense of it.
    Unlike the previous dream in chapter two, apparently, he tells them the dream, but they still can’t make sense of it.

    C. Daniel is summoned to interpret the dream (4:8-9)

    Notice in verse 8, Nebuchadnezzar says that Daniel was renamed after “my god”. Nebuchadnezzar has not acknowledged Yahweh as the only God. He spoke of Daniel as having “the spirit of the holy gods in him.”
    Daniel 4:8–9 CSB
    8 Finally Daniel, named Belteshazzar after the name of my god—and a spirit of the holy gods is in him—came before me. I told him the dream: 9 “Belteshazzar, head of the magicians, because I know that you have the spirit of the holy gods and that no mystery puzzles you, explain to me the visions of my dream that I saw, and its interpretation.
    Notice in verse 8, Nebuchadnezzar says that Daniel was renamed after “my god”. Nebuchadnezzar has not acknowledged Yahweh as the only God. He spoke of Daniel as having “the spirit of the holy gods in him.”

    D. Nebuchadnezzar recounts the contents of the dream (4:10-18)

    Daniel 4:10–18 CSB
    10 In the visions of my mind as I was lying in bed, I saw this: There was a tree in the middle of the earth, and it was very tall. 11 The tree grew large and strong; its top reached to the sky, and it was visible to the ends of the earth. 12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant, and on it was food for all. Wild animals found shelter under it, the birds of the sky lived in its branches, and every creature was fed from it. 13 “As I was lying in my bed, I also saw in the visions of my mind a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven. 14 He called out loudly: Cut down the tree and chop off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it, and the birds from its branches. 15 But leave the stump with its roots in the ground and with a band of iron and bronze around it in the tender grass of the field. Let him be drenched with dew from the sky and share the plants of the earth with the animals. 16 Let his mind be changed from that of a human, and let him be given the mind of an animal for seven periods of time. 17 This word is by decree of the watchers, and the decision is by command from the holy ones. This is so that the living will know that the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms. He gives them to anyone he wants and sets the lowliest of people over them. 18 This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because none of the wise men of my kingdom can make the interpretation known to me. But you can, because you have a spirit of the holy gods.”
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    i. The main feature of the dream is a large tree.

    The tree is a symbol of fertility, growth, and prosperity. The tree provides sustenance and protection to the animals.

    ii. A “watcher” ordered the tree to be dismantled.

    All that is to be left is the stump. The tree is be cut down, but the roots are left intact and protected by a metal band.

    iii. The tree becomes one of the wild animals for 7 periods of time.

    iv. The beast w

    iv. The motive is clearly stated in verse 17.

    With the dream’s content laid out before Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar waits to hear the interpretation.

    3. The Interpretation ()

    A.
    Up to this point, the chapter has been in the first person, but now the perspective shifts to third person.

    A. Daniel hesitated to give the interpretation (4:19a)

    Daniel 4:19 CSB
    19 Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was stunned for a moment, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king said, “Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.” Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, may the dream apply to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your enemies!
    He took no pleasure in what he was about to say to the king. It is also amazing of the relationship between Daniel and king Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar had taken him captive and destroyed Jerusalem, yet Daniel was not vindictive or full of anger toward Nebuchadnezzar. He actually cared about Nebuchadnezzar’s well-being.

    B. The tree is Nebuchadnezzar. (4:19b-25)

    Proverbs 4:19–25 CSB
    19 But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they don’t know what makes them stumble. 20 My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings. 21 Don’t lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to one’s whole body. 23 Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. 24 Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly, and don’t let your lips talk deviously. 25 Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead.
    He provided protection, stability, and sustenance to everyone in his vast empire. As the tree, Nebuchadnezzar is the one who is under judgment. He will be desolated. He will be reduced to a wild animal.

    C. The judgment can be avoided. (4:26-27)

    Daniel 4:26–27 CSB
    26 As for the command to leave the tree’s stump with its roots, your kingdom will be restored to you as soon as you acknowledge that Heaven rules. 27 Therefore, may my advice seem good to you my king. Separate yourself from your sins by doing what is right, and from your injustices by showing mercy to the needy. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.”
    If Nebuchadnezzar will humble himself before God, perhaps God in his mercy will not act in judgment against Nebuchadnezzar. Be humble or God will humble you.

    4. The fulfillment ()

    A. Nebuchadnezzar’s prideful statement (4:28-30)

    Daniel 4:28–30 CSB
    28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of twelve months, as he was walking on the roof of the royal palace in Babylon, 30 the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great that I have built to be a royal residence by my vast power and for my majestic glory?”
    About a year later, Nebuchadnezzar forgot the warning. It seems as if he complied for a time, but eventually returned to his old ways. The other option is that Nebuchadnezzar didn’t change, but God in his mercy waited a full year. Nebuchadnezzar had much to admire about Babylon. The Hanging Gardens were an ancient wonder of the world. The walls were another ancient wonder of the world. It is said that the walls of Babylon were so think they had enough space to enable a 4-horse chariot to turn around and they went on for 8 kilometers. We know he had great wealth. He gave orders and paid the bills. His pride led him to lose sight that it was God who had given his power and ability.

    B. The sentence is executed (4:31-33)

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    Daniel 4:31–33 CSB
    31 While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared that the kingdom has departed from you. 32 You will be driven away from people to live with the wild animals, and you will feed on grass like cattle for seven periods of time, until you acknowledge that the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms, and he gives them to anyone he wants.” 33 At that moment the message against Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people. He ate grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with dew from the sky, until his hair grew like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.
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    5. Restoration and Conclusion ()

    A. At the end of the 7 periods of time, Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged God’s supremacy. (4:34-35)

    Daniel 4:34–35 CSB
    34 But at the end of those days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity returned to me. Then I praised the Most High and honored and glorified him who lives forever: For his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation. 35 All the inhabitants of the earth are counted as nothing, and he does what he wants with the army of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. There is no one who can block his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”
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    Nebuchadnezzar looked toward heaven which is obviously meant as an acknowledgement of God’s supremacy. He now understands his place. He is powerful, but he is not all-powerful.

    B. Nebuchadnezzar is restored (4:36-37)

    Daniel 4:36–37 CSB
    36 At that time my sanity returned to me, and my majesty and splendor returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and my nobles sought me out, I was reestablished over my kingdom, and even more greatness came to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and glorify the King of the heavens, because all his works are true and his ways are just. He is able to humble those who walk in pride.
    Nebuchadnezzar learns his lesson. God is able to humble those who walk in pride. Are we to conclude that Nebuchadnezzar was converted? Let this be a warning to us of the dangers of pride.

      • Proverbs 16:18CSB

      • Daniel 4:1–3CSB

      • Daniel 4:4–6CSB

      • Daniel 4:7CSB

      • Daniel 4:8–9CSB

      • Daniel 4:10–18CSB

      • Daniel 4:19CSB

      • Proverbs 4:19–25CSB

      • Daniel 4:26–27CSB

      • Daniel 4:28–33CSB

      • Daniel 4:28–30CSB

      • Daniel 4:31–33CSB

      • Daniel 4:34–35CSB

      • Daniel 4:36–37CSB

First Baptist Church Laredo
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