Trials of Pride, Daniel 4
Notes
Transcript
Handout
We have been working our way through Daniel the past three weeks. Today, we will be in chapter 4.
One of the key characters that we have seen in each chapter thus far is the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar.
Nebuchadnezzar
Nebuchadnezzar
In Daniel 1, it was Nebuchadnezzar who defeated Jerusalem, and took some of the young men, including Daniel and his friends captive to Babylon. It was Nebuchadnezzar who forced them into his school to learn how Babylonian culture and ways. It was Nebuchadnezzar who had directed that their identities be changed to be under his gods.
In Daniel 2, it was Nebuchadnezzar who had the recurring dream that troubled him so much that he demanded an answer from his astrologers and magicians. He wanted a true answer, so he demanded that they tell him the dream first, and then the interpretation. When they could not, he demanded all wise men be executed.
After Daniel and his friends prayed to God and praised Him for providing, Daniel told the dream and its interpretation to Nebuchadnezzar.
Then we saw Nebuchadnezzar say this,
The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.”
Nebuchadnezzar saw God at work, and praised Him.
However, he was still focused on himself and his own gods.
So, in Daniel 3, we see Nebuchadnezzar built a huge golden image which he wanted everyone to bow down to and worship.
When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego would not worship, he had them thrown into a furnace.
However, then he saw not just those three, but also one who was like the son of God walking in the flames of the furnace.
At the conclusion of that incident, Nebuchadnezzar said,
Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.
Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.”
Nebuchadnezzar saw God as the God of Gods, and Lord of Lords who could reveal mysteries.
He saw God as the one who could save His own from even his, Nebuchadnezzar’s hand. So, he said no one should say anything bad about God.
Now, many years later, Nebuchadnezzar is going to have another encounter with God.
In weeks past, we focused on God walking with His people through trials, like He did with Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. This week, we are going to see how God walks with all people—even those who are not His own—through trials for a purpose, even when those trials are brought on by themselves.
In chapter 4, the main character is Nebuchadnezzar. In fact, chapter 4 is Nebuchadnezzar’s personal testimony as recorded by Daniel.
Nebuchadnezzar is about to walk through a trial, and see how God works through the trials in his life. Let’s read it together.
The Introduction
The Introduction
King Nebuchadnezzar, To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth: May you prosper greatly!
More literally, “May your peace abound!”
I find it interesting that Nebuchadnezzar uses this greeting which is focused on other people prospering. My impression of Nebuchadnezzar is that he was typically more concerned for his own prosperity, than the prosperity of others.
Why this greeting now? Let’s keep reading...
It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.
How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.
This man is giving a personal testimony about how great God is! Instead of seeing God through Daniel, or through Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, Nebuchadnezzar has had a personal experience with God.
What was it? Let’s keep going...
The Background
The Background
I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous.
I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me.
So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me.
When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me.
We see that Nebuchadnezzar has not really changed after his previous encounters with God. He is still seeking after wisdom from those who worship and follow his gods—the ones who cannot give him the truth and peace he craves.
The King tells Daniel
The King tells Daniel
Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)
I said, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me.
These are the visions I saw while lying in bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous.
The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth.
Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed.
“In the visions I saw while lying in bed, I looked, and there before me was a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven.
He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches.
But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field. “ ‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth.
Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times pass by for him.
“ ‘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 all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’
“This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
Finally Daniel came. The king had called for all the wise men. Daniel, being so high up in the government must have been pretty busy, so I suppose it took him longer to respond… or was it by God’s design? Did God keep Daniel for last so Nebuchadnezzar would once again see the emptiness of his religion, of his false gods?
I personally think this was the case. God is always at work.
Well, Daniel arrived. And, Nebuchadnezzar knew Daniel had the spirit of the Most High God.
Daniel gives the interpretation
Daniel gives the interpretation
Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.” Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries!
The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth,
with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds—
Your Majesty, you are that tree! You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth.
“Your Majesty saw a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.’
“This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king:
You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.
The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules.
Daniel gives a warning
Daniel gives a warning
Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.”
I love Daniel’s heart for the king. Remember, it was because of this man that Daniel was forcibly taken from his family, marched to a foreign land, made a eunich, forced to learn things that were against what God said (magic arts, astrology and the like), given a new identity associated with a false God, put under threat of death by execution.
After all this man did to threaten harm to him and his friends, he was still concerned for him.
He knew Nebuchadnezzar was a sinful man, but he cared for him.
Why?
Maybe because God cared for this man. Why else did God reveal Himself to this man through the first dream, the furnace and now this dream of warning?
Surely God could have just punished Nebuchadnezzar for not fully repenting and following Him before. But He didn’t. God is compassionate, and slow to anger. He shows mercy in not destroying Nebuchadnezzar. He gives grace by reaching out to Nebuchadnezzar through another dream. He gives grace by giving the interpretation to Daniel to share with the king.
Daniel saw all of this, and learned compassion from God. So, he warns the king.
All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar.
How succinct. All of this happened. So, what would come next? Would the king repent? Would he finally worship and obey the one, true God?
Let’s keep reading…
The Fulfillment
The Fulfillment
Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon,
he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”
Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.
You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”
Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.
I find it interesting that this took place twelve months later.
I really don’t think that Nebuchadnezzar ever abandoned His pride.
So, why twelve months? Again, God is patient. He gives a warning, and then patiently waits until the time He has chosen to execute justice. Just like in the days of Noah.
Just like now...
But let’s get back to the story. What happened next? What happened after the seven years?
The Climax
The Climax
At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”
Finally, Nebuchadnezzar recognized God as sovereign. Before, He was just a great God, a revealer of mysteries. Before He was One who could save His own from the hand of the king.
Now, to Nebuchadnezzar, God is truly sovereign, and Nebuchadnezzar knows he is under God’s authority. Nebuchadnezzar finally praises and worships God for who He is.
The Conclusion
The Conclusion
At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before.
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
What do we learn about God?
What do we learn about God?
God hates Pride
God wants people to know and acknowledge Him
God will use trials to get our attention
God is merciful, patient, gracious and just
(not to harm us, to get us to see and know the truth)
(experience is the best teacher)
You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.
God had a purpose for the trial that Nebuchadnezzar was bringing on himself. God was going to walk through this time with Nebuchadnezzar to discipline him—to train him in the truth. God was using this trial in Nebuchadnezzar’s life for his good. What was good for him was to acknowledge God, and fully believe in Him.
Daniel 4:26 - acknowledge that Heaven rules
At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”
And that was the result.
Notice, Nebuchadnezzar did not curse God for this great trial that he endured. He praised God! Nebuchadnezzar saw that God had warned him. Nebuchadnezzar realized that he in his pride had offended the Lord of Lords. He deserved death! But God in His mercy gave him a wake-up call instead. He brought Nebuchadnezzar to the end of trusting in himself, and his pride. God walked through this trial to bring Nebuchadnezzar to Himself! So, Nebuchadnezzar praised God!
That is what I believe we can learn about God from this experience of Nebuchadnezzar.
God hates Pride
God wants people to know and acknowledge Him
God will use trials to get our attention
God is merciful, patient, gracious and just
What do we learn about ourselves?
What do we learn about ourselves?
We are prideful
We need to acknowledge God
We need drastic trials to bring us to our senses
We need to be merciful, patient and gracious (leave justice to God!)