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Each chapter in the book of Daniel helps us to better understand the prophecies in the later chapters. The message in this chapter emphasizes the need to recognize the superiority of God above all earthly powers, kingdoms, nations and supposed gods. Nebuchadnezzar thought the world and the people living in it were his to command, but God said, "no, they are mine, you are mine, you can do nothing without Me!"
NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S COMMUNICATION
Nebuchadnezzar wrote the 4th chapter in the book of Daniel, which is really a replica of
a “press release” which the king sent out to the citizens of his kingdom.
For the last seven years strange rumours had been heard throughout the Babylonian empire that there was some type of significant trouble in the highest levels of government concerning the king himself. Some were suggesting that the king had lost his mind, and was living out in the fields with cattle. Other stories were going around as well and nobody really knew the truth as to whether the king was alive, or dead, or what was goiears strange rumours had been heard throughout the Babylonian empire that there was some type of significant trouble in the highest levels of government concerning the king himself. Some were suggesting that the king had lost his mind, and was living out in the fields with cattle. Other stories were going around as well and nobody really knew the truth as to whether the king was alive, or dead, or what was going on.
Hence the following news item was sent out, designed to be publicized far and wide, giving an amazing story. Yes, he, Nebuchadnezzar was still the king with all the power it brought him.
Yet what a difference in this proclamation from proclamations made in earlier times. There are no pompous or swelling words of vanity, not now.
The chapter begins with Nebuchadnezzar giving his “seal” of authorship. The seal contains the
But now he acknowledges that there is a God and a kingdom greater than his, whose seal is:
No matter how great and powerful Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom, there was at best only momentary triumph and passing delights in his beautiful buildings and gardens and high position. Nebuchadnezzar was no longer a young man, and even kings die, his subjects die, and kingdoms fall into the hands of others. BUT God’s kingdom, is an everlasting kingdom! And His dominion is for all generations. The very God who worked on the heart of Nebuchadnezzar, drawing that pagan king to Himself, and fitting him to be a citizen of a greater kingdom than that of Babylon, is still the same today.
How patiently God had worked with this king , showing him great sings and mighty wonders. First the dream of the image, -- and the wonder God performed by Daniel relating the dream and the interpretation. The king acknowledged that God was a great God. But then his proud spirit caused him to set up his own image, yet again God reached down with a mighty miracle delivering the three worthies from the burning flames. Once again Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged the God of heaven.
Though a proud, ambitious, and very successful king, an idolater by birth and training, and as we realize, even prior to his seven years of insanity, he still did not understand about the true God, yet Nebuchadnezzar had an innate sense of justice and right and God was able to reach him.
Nebuchadnezzar was the king of the great Babylon, a city which is the very symbol of the counterfeit religious/kingdom, yet he was still an individual-- a human being for whom Christ would die to offer salvation.
The final “signs and wonders” related in this chapter wrought a reformation in the heart of the king and he was transformed from a tyrannical, overbearing emperor, into a wise and compassionate ruler.
The king does not, like many have when afflicted in similar ways, curse God, but rather he praises God’s name for the wonders He wrought towards the him.
In this the king teaches us a great lesson! Do we see God's ultimate love and goodness even when adversity strikes us?
The king thought it good to share what the High God had done for him. We too, need to share the great wonders of the gospel and the three angels‘ message for these last days.
If God reached down to convert the heart of the pagan king of Babylon, we too, need give the call for people to forsake the “mystic Babylon” and acknowledge the Creator God, His laws, and His salvation, with the same patience and love God showed to Nebuchadnezzar.
His father, Nabopalassar, had thrown off the Assyrian yoke and began to make Babylon great. Nebuchadnezzar, taking over the armies, was unstoppable. He broke the power of Egypt at the battle of Carchemish as well as taking the cities and kingdoms of Tyre, Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Jerusalem and others.
He lived in a beautiful palace, in a city with great fortifications and mighty armies to defend him.
The ruins of Babylon bear witness that this was a city which is still considered “a wonder of the world”. Inscriptions give us some of the details:
The historian Herodotus (Bk 1, 178-186) also gives us some details about Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon:
A wide and deep moat encircled the city and the Euphrates River flowed through the middle of the city. Ferry boats and a 1/2 mi. long bridge with drawbridges closed at night. Streets all ran in straight lines, and (according to some reports) were paved with stone slabs 3 feet square
The "Hanging Gardens" are still considered one of the wonders of the ancient world had water raised from the river by hydraulic pumps.
The Greek geographer, Strabo of the first century, BC, described the gardens:
There seems to have been plumbing systems in place with toilets having seats, archaeologists say they have found connections to drains which discharged into a main sewer. According to their findings, the sewer was 3.28 feet high, and 16 feet long, vaulted over with baked bricks. It ran alongside the outer wall of the palace, beneath a pavement. The sewer sloped downward to allow the sewage to be washed down. Other bathrooms which could not be connected with the sewer system had individual cesspools. (from : Plumbing and Mechanical, July 1989)
Then there was the great Tower (Ziggurat) which Herodotus described as
There were 53 temples in Babylon, with 180 altars to Ishtar, there were altars of gold, statues of gold, lions of gold.
Nebuchadnezzar’s city was indeed, considered to be a city of unrivalled magnificence.
In spite of all the magnificence of Babylon, in spite of the fortifications, and the conquests won, a mere dream frightened the great king. Somehow he realized this dream had vital importance as to his future and he had to find out what it meant.
As we will see, the dream itself was filled with obvious foreboding of something terrible happening in the near future. It would seem that the wise men were afraid to make any interpretations. This time the king remembered the dream, and they could not think of a favourable interpretation that could fit. If they said the tree represented Nebuchnezzar, they would have to say he’d be “cut down”, if they said the tree represented another ruler, they would be denying that Nebuchnezzar was “king of kings” sheltering the nations, thus fearing for their own lives they “did not make known” to the king any interpretation.
That Nebuchadnezzar first called the wise men of Babylon shows that he placed them first as his counsellors, and Daniel was called only when the natural wisdom of the Chaldeans proved to be helpless.
In these verses we see the king using both of Daniel’s names. Daniel’s given name meant “God is my judge”. His name was a constant reminder of the God in heaven, who is the ultimate judge in all matters. When Daniel first entered the king’s courts as a young captive, his name was changed to acknowledge the supposed protective power of the Chaldean god "Bel". In the verses above the king acknowledges Daniel by his real name, then mentions he had given him the name Belteshazzar according to his own gods. The reason for such re-naming was to wean the captives from their own gods to the gods of the nation which had conquered them.
But Daniel never gave up his own real name. Nebuchadnezzar realizes that Daniel has a relationship with a God that is real, practical and powerful. Yet, here the king still speaks in the plural, polytheistic sense, signifying that he still sees Daniel’s God as just one God among many gods.
Lesson we can learn:
We must take heed to the teachings of Holy Scripture, lest we be deceived by some false Christ.
Could there be a false christ being presented today, who is not recognized as the Creator of all things, even though John 1:2, explicitly says He is the Creator. But is this "christ" not being recognized as the One who rested, blessed and sanctified the 7th day Sabbath (Gen. 2:1-3), nor recognized as the One who asked His people to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy because He created the world in six days and rested the seventh. (Ex. 20:10) Instead could it be a different Christ who supposedly came to release us from God’s law, supposedly nailed God’s law, a yoke of bondage, to the cross, and supposedly liberated us from God’s law. We know those commandments are as much the law of Christ Jesus as it is the Father’s law, for they are ONE. The record against us which is nailed to the cross, concerns our sins, for the true Christ bore our sins upon the tree, and offers us freedom from sin’s power and guilt, not freedom to disobey His own law.
The spirit of God writes that law upon our hearts. (Hebrews 8:10, Romans 8:4) Hopefully, those we come in contact with, will see by our lives that God’s spirit is with us, as it was with Daniel.
It was not enough for Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge that Jehovah God, was a powerful God among many gods, he needed to learn to humble himself before the ONE AND ONLY GOD, from Whom all life, intellect and salvation flow.
THE TREE
Yet from where did this kingdom receive its strength? Like a tree cannot grow to a lofty height without God's gifts of water, sunshine, good soil, and life itself, so God had exalted Nebuchadnezzar for His own purposes. Prosperity attended the nation until it reached a height of wealth and power that is known as a wonder of the ancient world.
But there is a heavenly watcher. That the watcher is a heavenly messenger, we know because he is "holy" and comes down from heaven. This watcher, like the Lord Who sent him, 'neither slumbers nor sleeps' (Ps. 121:4) and has power carry out the decrees of the Most High who rules in human affairs.
Nothing is hidden from the eyes of God. Here was a green tree, a symbol of the greatness of the kingdom of Babylon over which Nebuchadnezzar was king, which appeared to be full of “good fruit” “green leaves” and a benefit to the world. Yet the watcher sees beyond this.
CUT DOWN THE TREE
THE STUMP
We see this as a promise that after the seven years the kingdom would be restored to Nebuchadnezzar.
However, the meaning is much deeper. A great tree is supported by roots which, though hidden, are massive and strong, often greater than the visible tree itself. They support the tree. Cut down the tree, yet leave the stump, and the roots send up new shoots.
Nebuchadnezzar was one powerful king of Babylon, yet though he did regain his throne, it was only for a few more years and he died like all men must, BUT the Babylonian “stump” remains until the end of time. Wherever Babylon conquered, there she planted her mystical religion with all its astrologers, magicians, soothsayers, priests etc. "From the golden cup which she held in her hand, and which was a familiar symbol in Babylonian secret societies, she made all nations drunk with the wine of her fornication." The stump has simply sprouted new shots which carry the religious principles to every generation which have borne fruit in every country. We know from Revelation 17 that the tree is again "reaching up to heaven and the sight thereof is to the end of all the earth: The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it."
In order for God to get through to Nebuchadnezzar, He had to "cut down" or "cut off" this proud monarch from the Babylonian stump with its deep roots.
BAND OF IRON AND BRASS
Daniel 7:19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were iron, and his nails of brass;
The Roman power would hold the Babylonian stump together and lead the world on to Rev. 17 "mystical Babylon"
What made Daniel different?
Hopefully, those we come in contact with, will see by our lives and conversation that God’s spirit is with us, as it was with Daniel.
To Daniel the meaning of the dream was plain. It's meaning startled him and he was speechless for one hour. The king realized Daniel was hesitant about explaining the dream, and must of realized it held "bad news", so he coaxes Daniel to go ahead and tell hims what it meant and not to be distressed over it. The exchange suggests that Daniel and the king had a relationship of respect for each other.
Daniel realized he had the solemn duty of revealing to Nebuchadnezzar the judgment that was about to fall upon him because of his pride and arrogance. How could he do this in such a way that the king could understand and prehaps change his ways without having to undergo such a drastic experience. The dream predicted that the king would go "mad". A disease which psychologists recognize as acute mania, which can reveal itself in several forms where the patient is more like a wild animal than a human, but yet can recover.
God wanted this king to learn that there was a heavenly watcher and an accounting to the God of heaven. Individually, we to need to realize we are in the presence of the unseen Watcher. Not only does He watch, but His is the power and strength to mold our lives into His likeness if we but keep our eyes on Him! If we realize we are in the presence of the One Who loves us and desires our salvation, and we in turn reverence and love Him it will change our lives and not only lengthen our tranquility upon earth, but we will be with our God throughout eternity!. We must not follow after our own spirit or inclination. We need the mind and the spirit of God to guide us. It is the mind and judgment of the great I AM that must bear rule.
Having faithfully interpreted the dream, Daniel urged the proud monarch to repent and turn to God, that by he might avert the threatened calamity.
A whole year of probationary time passed. Many think that just because Divine judgment is not executed immediately, that God will not act. Yet we see that by ignoring all warning Nebuchadnezzar brought disaster upon himself. Proud and arrogant, having put the nations around him in subjection to himself, we see him strutting and vaunting himself, praising his own name. He was the genius that made Babylon great.
Suddenly a voice comes from heaven! All the glory and genius of Nebuchadnazzar's person disappear in an instant. No longer could he "flourish and rest" in his palace, now he was driven out into the fields unsheltered from dew or rain. No longer was he eating the delicacies placed on his table, but was outside eating grass like the cattle!
Pride and arrogance, is offensive to God. This sin, as no other is like a wall shutting God out of a person's life. God loves people and seeks to awaken them out of their selfish course, He will remove their idols, that they can humble their proud, selfish, unsubdued hearts before Him.
Critics cast doubt on this Biblical story and dismiss it as “legend” because, they say there is no secular verification from history. The fact is, that historians know very little about the later years of Nebuchadnezzar. However, there is a tablet in the British Museum, No. BM 34113 (sp 213)
According to Sigfried Horn in “Ministry“, April 1979, writing about this tablet, says--
2 [Nebu]chadnezzar considered […..]
Let's attempt to decipher the text, Brackets [...] indicate which words or letters are broken from the original....
Evil-merodach of line 5 was the eldest son of Nebuchadnezzar and his successor on the throne. He is mentioned in the Bible as having released King Jehoiachin of Judah from Prison after his ascension to the throne (2kings 25:27-30; Jer. 52:31-34)
Esagil in line 14 is the name of the principal temple complex of Babylon, in which the ziggurat a 300 foot high temple tower, stood. The temple was dedicated to the chief god, Marduk, mentioned in line 17.…......
If read in the light of Daniel 4, which relates Nebuchadnezzar’s seven-year period of mental derangement, lines 3,6,7,11,12,14 refer to strange behavior by Nebuchadnezzar, which has been brought to the attention of Evil merodach by state officials. Life had lost all value to Nebuchadnezzar, who gave contradictory orders, refused to accept the counsel of his courtiers, showed love neither to son nor daughter, neglected his family and no longer performed his duties as head of state with regard to the Babylonian state religion and its principal temple.
Line 5, then, can refer to officials who, bewildered by the kings’ behavior, counselled Evil-merdach to assume responsibility for the affairs of state...
Lines 6, and on would then be a description of Nebuchadnezzar's behavior as described to Evil-merodach.
Since Nebuchadnezzar later recovered, the counsel of the kings’ courtiers to Evil-merodach may later have been considered “bad” (line 5) though at the time it seemed the best way out of a national crises.
Since Daniel records that Nebuchadnezzar was "driven from men" (Dan. 4:33) but later reinstated as king by his officials (vs. 36) Evil merodach, Nebuchadnezzar's eldest son, may have served as regent during his father's incapacity. Official records, howver, show Nebuchadnezzar as king during his lifetime.
Flourishing Babylon
The King Needs Help
The Dream
The Dream fulfilled
4.1
Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
1. The name--Nebuchadnezzar
2. The position-- the king
3. His territory -- all people, nations and languages,
1. His Name -- THE HIGH GOD
2. His position -- King
3. His territory -- his dominion is not just present times and generations but EVERLASTING, over all generations.
4.2
I thought it good to show the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.
4.3
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.
4.4
I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:
Nebuchadnezzar was “flourishing” and at “rest”. He had conquered all the surrounding nations, and was enjoying the fruits of his conquests.
4.5
I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
4.6
Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.
4.7
Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.
4.8
But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying,
4.9
O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.
Are the diverse, so called truths, in the world today all basically equal, or is there only one truth that leads us to the One true God, and many counterfeits leading to false gods? The same word “god” elahin was, and still is, used for the pagan gods as well as for the One True God. Christ came to reveal God to mankind, but today there are many concepts of “Christ”, and the prophetic words in Matt. 24 warn us not to be deceived for many false “Christs” will be in the world.
4.10
Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great.
4.11
The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:
4.12
The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.
4.13
I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;
4.14
He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:
4.15
Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:
4.16
Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him: and let seven times pass over him.
4.17
This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
4.18
This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.
To Nebuchadnezzar, the king, national government was represented under the figure of a great tree, whose height reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: the leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all." To all external appearances this government was very beneficial to its citizens; a government that protects and nurtures.
The watcher knows the proud heart: the watcher saw how this monarch's tyranny held lives in subjection, his word could mean instant death to anyone who displeased him. The watcher knows the agony of nations laid low that Babylon might revel in the wealth of the world. The watcher knew that Nebuchadnezzar’s mind was very much like the mind of the first rebel and the desires in his heart; “desire for self-exaltation. "Thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God." "Thou hast said: . . . I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation." "I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High." [EZE. 28:6; ISA. 14:13, 14.]"
This pictures Nebuchadnezzar personally. Because of the pride in his heart he would lose his reason and live with cattle in the field for seven years, until he learned that he was just a created being dependent upon the God of heaven; until he acknowledged "that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever He wills."
The stump was left in the ground.
The life was not ended.
The ancient empire of Babylon and its impressive city fell to invading armies, BUT the stump of Babylon remains till the end of time.
4.19
Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.
4.20
The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;
4.21
Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:
4.22
It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.
4.23
And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;
4.24
This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
4.25
That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
4.26
And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.
4.27
Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
Yet it's not just the king of Babylon that needs to learn this lesson, "all need to learn that the heavenly Watcher is acquainted with the children of men. If men forget this, there is danger of a spirit of selfishness and self exaltation entering their work. These principles practised are not only detrimental to all within the sphere of their action, but will lead to a development of character so objectionable that its possessor cannot find a place among the redeemed. He that sitteth in the heavens requires that a different spirit shall control his workers."
4.28
All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
4.29
At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
4.30
The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
4.31
While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
4.32
And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
4.33
The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.
3 His life appeared of no value to [him...]
5 And Babylonian speaks bad counsel to Evil-merodach […..]
6 Then he gave an entirely different order but [………]
7 He does not heed the word from his lips, the cour[tiers……]
11 He does not show love to son and daughter […..]
12 …family and clan do not exist [………]
14 His attention was not directed towards promoting the welfare of Esagil [and Babylon]
16 He prays to the Lord of lords, he raised [his hands in supplication….]
17 He weeps bitterly to Marduk, the g[reat] god [……]
18 His prayer go forth, to [………]
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4.34
And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
4.35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? 4.36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. 4.37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. |
It appears that Nebuchadnezzar had enough mental capacity during his illness to still call to God to deliver him. As soon as he, through the haze of his illness lifted his thoughts and acknowledged the ONE true God, his reason was restored to him.
It took seven long years of humiliation for the king to learn that "it was not his scepter, but the scepter of Him whose kingdom is everlasting, that held supreme sway over the affairs of the nations."
We too, often must come to our senses, and recognize that God is all in all. Yes, our societies need people who will take leadership positions, but when they lift themselves up in self sufficiency and pride, God can no longer sustain them.
Not only secular rulers, but religious leaders, and even the individual person needs to beware of this problem. The carnal human nature wants to be it's own god. Yet, we are nothing without Christ, for Christ alone is all wisdom, power and salvation.