Nebuchadnezzar to the mic.
This chapter is different, although I guess they all are in this interesting little book.
- Chapter 1 is about Daniel, personally. With introductions to Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, and Nebuchadnezzar.
- Chapter 2 is mostly about Nebuchadnezzar with Daniel playing a prominent second lead.
- Chapter 3 is equal parts Nebuchadnezzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abdn-nego, and the Fourth Man.
Now, Chapter 4 is BY Nebuchadnezzar.
We'll be reading an official government decree by the King of Babylon. This is not a story told by Daniel, but Nebuchadnezzar's decree included in the writings of Daniel.
That's amazing. Daniel is placing this in the public record. A historical document. Open for refutation. But it wasn't.
Look how the most powerful man in the world opens this decree:
Nebuchadnezzar the king to all the peoples, nations, and men of every language that live in all the earth: “May your peace abound! 2 It has seemed good to me to declare the signs and wonders which the Most High God has done for me.
3 “How great are His signs
And how mighty are His wonders!
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom
And His dominion is from generation to generation.
Isn't that beautiful? He was full of rage and wrath because of people worshiping this God, but now he declares that this is THE Most High God. And it happened personally this tie, not just observing others who follow God.
Look at his worship. He is amazed by this God of Wonders. And everlasting kingdom, with dominion across generations.
This is from a military man who conquered the known world around him. He concedes the fight against the real King of kings. It's a glorious proclamation.
What's the reason for this amazing conversion. Yes, it started with Daniel's dream interpretation. And was supported by the indent at the fiery furnace, but buckle up, because it is about to get way more personal.
His story starts in verse 4. He was at ease in his house, flourishing in his palace. How nice for him. Ruling the known world and flourishing. Happy times.
His peace is broken by a dream in his bed that makes him fearful. He also uses the terms fantasies and visions. So it seems like maybe these persisted day and night. So he calls for his wise men to make an interpretation. All of his other magicians, conjurers, Chaldeans, and diviners failed to interpret the dream.
Daniel, Belteshazzar, Chief of the Magicians came before the king. He admits to renaming Daniel after his God because Daniel carried in him a Spirit of the holy gods. So he recognized the Holy Spirit, but didn't understand that there was only one real God.
Neb asks Daniel to tell him the dream/vision along with the interpretation. This is the way it went in Chapter 1 as well. He was smart enough to know that the "wise men" would say anything and he couldn't verify it; so he wanted the dream/vision along with the interpretation so he could trust it.
Starting in verse 10, Neb tells Daniel what he saw in his head while he lay in his bed.
- A very tall tree in the midst of the earth.
- It reached for the sky and was strong.
- Visible to the ends of the earth.
- Beautiful foliage and abundant fruit.
- Food for all.
- The beasts found shade under it.
- Birds lived in it.
- All living creatures fed from it.
Next, in Neb's vision, he saw an angelic, holy watcher descend from heaven and shouted:
- Chop down the tree and cut off its branches
- Strip the foliage and scatter the fruit
- Let the birds and beasts flee
- Leave the stump with the roots in the ground, with a band of iron and bronze around it.
- In the new grass of the field, it will be drenched in the dew of heaven
- Beasts should be allowed to share in the grass.
Now it gets weird. The final command of the angel is:
“Let his mind be changed from that of a man
And let a beast’s mind be given to him,
And let seven periods of time pass over him. Daniel 4:16
This command is from the holy ones in order that the living may know the the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind.
King Neb, having completed the dream description, asks Belteshazzar (Daniel) to interpret it. Daniel was freaked out having heard the dream. Neb tries to reassure Daniel to speak the truth. Daniel counters that it's about King Neb. It speaks a lot that Daniel is expressing horror about judgement coming to hus king. He must be fond of Neb. It supports the idea that the Lord is also fond of Neb.
- Neb has become great like the tree.
- He has grown strong, and majestic, reaching to the sky.
- He has dominion to the ends of the earth.
- That tree is Neb and the decree is a judgement on Neb from the Most High.
- Neb is to be driven away from mankind and he will live among beasts. He'll eat grass and receive dew from heaven.
- Seven time periods will pass over the king as a beast until the king recognizes that the Most High is the ruler of mankind and that the Lord is the one who decides what happens on earth with people.
Here's God's heart for Nebuchadnezzar:
And in that it was commanded to leave the stump with the roots of the tree, your kingdom will be assured to you after you recognize that it is Heaven that rules. 27 Therefore, O king, may my advice be pleasing to you: break away now from your sins by doing righteousness and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a prolonging of your prosperity.’ Daniel 4:26–27
He has Neb's well-being at heart; but He is willing to let Neb to suffer to sanctify him into God's will.
Daniel begs Neb to break away from his sin to avoid this judgement. Daniel specifies that Neb should show mercy to the poor—demonstrating God's priority of justice.
Starting in verse 28 we see king Nebuchadnezzar's half-hearted belief and relationship to the Lord reap it's bad fruit. Twelve months later he's wandering on the roof of his palace and comes up with this doozy:
The king reflected and said, ‘Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty? Daniel 4:30
Not good, dude. God is not inclined to let men take credit for their own glory when it belongs to Him. He's God's reply to Neb's bragging:
While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you, and you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.’ Daniel 4:31–32
God gave Neb a chance and Neb ignored it. Pay attention. If God has a plan for you, His will will be done, and He's willing to allow you to suffer for your own sanctification.
Then it happened, Neb became a beast and had bird qualities as well. I guess this is a real, rare medical condition, boanthropy. Weird, but God's happy with weird if that's what it takes. Seven years Neb lived like this while his son was a co-regent.
At the end of seven years, Neb lifted his head and his reason returned and he "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."
Neb goes on to declare that earth's inhabitants count for nothing; but the Lord does whatever His will is. No one can change the Lord's plan or question His will.
Here's how King Nebuchadnezzar closes out this story:
At that time my reason returned to me. And my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom, and my counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my sovereignty, and surpassing greatness was added to me.
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.” Daniel 4: 36–37
It's a spectacular end to an amazing, supernatural event. It shows how far the Lord will go to warn us and train us toward His will. We don't know what happens next for Neb. This is the last story like this from him. Chapter 5 moves on to a story about his grandson and the end of the golden Babylonian age. But we know that Neb was a new man, and from his seat of power things began to change.
Everything has now officially changed. The Promise land is lost for the promised purpose for centuries to come. God is now sending prophets to the Assyrians and sending servants to king Nebuchadnezzar. The small world of the Hebrews has broken containment and the plan is underway for a new path for the Jews to declare God's glory to the world. They could have accomplished it from the Promise Land, but being human, they failed due to sin. Now there will be a Babylonian season, a Mede-Persian season, a Greek season, and a Roman season in a lead up to the next era when Christianity will further break containment and bring God's name around the world.
Of course, we're all holding our breath waiting for the season of Jesus' return, followed by eternity. Come, Lord Jesus, Come.
Amen.