April 13, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Daniel? Here’s today’s reading:
Daniel 4 (NIV)
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Tree
1 King Nebuchadnezzar,
To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth:
May you prosper greatly!
2 It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.
3 How great are his signs,
Daniel’s care for Nebuchadnezzar is seen here in his sadness to share the meaning of his dream. Daniel knows God’s words are true and so in turn he knows this dream is not good news for Nebuchadnezzar. God gives him a year to make the corrections in his life and seek repentance, however, pride is a strong force in men and he doesn’t do it.
So often we hear the truth of God and know what we need to do but stubbornly we continue depending on our self until like Nebuchadnezzar we are brought to our own destruction and finally remember that we are nothing without and apart from God. I am glad I haven’t learned that lesson in such a dramatic way as madness and eating like an ox but certainly when God sets our path straight, we know it!
King Neb had been so used to conquering and controlling all his captives. He had no clue when he captured Judah. That the one true God took notice. He learns a hard lesson a very hard way. The God is sovereign and so far above king Neb. He is sent as an animal until he looks up and acknowledges the almighty. God used him for his purpose just like many others before and those who come after. The difference is being a child of God and being used in his kingdom is the greatest honor by far in our lives. They were foreigners and aliens. We are members of God’s household. Overwhelming
There seems to be a progression of understanding of Nebuchadnezzar about the only true God. He says unto all people, nations and languages that dwell in all the earth that God has showed him signs and wonders and His [ God] kingdom is a everlasting kingdom and His [ God] dominion is from generation to generation. Yet he still worships other gods. Why else would he ask the other wise men to interpret the dream. Not that they have had success before. They kept failing. But he knew that Daniel could interpret the dream. Nebuchadnezzar is still very proud of his success so God reveals another dream to him. God is very patient and loving toward him despite Nebuchadnezzar`s foolishness. God has to bring him to the end of himself by making him a beast in mind and behavior. Then after he gets his own mind back he fully worships the true and Living God. He says that [ I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and His ways judgment ; and those that walk in pride He is able to abase.] Is this a conversion and worship of the Living God/ No more is said of him. Any thoughts anyone. In the next chapter his son is a evil king [ Belshazzar] No positive influence here. Of course everyone has to decide for themselves to worship the Living God.
How gracious God is to this pagan king to lead him to a true understanding of who He is. He has revealed Himself in power already to him, and because that has not truly changed his heart, God puts him through the ringer. Yet in typical fashion, God gives him a chance to make things right. How compassionate yet honest Daniel’s words are to King Nebbi as he wishes the dream is for his enemies and yet calls him out to repent before God and not oppress people. And it is a year later, after Nebbi exalts himself that God humbles him in a very unique way. And He keeps him in that state until he looks to heaven and repents. I do believe at this point that King Nebbi’s conversion is true. He exalts God for who He is and expresses belief that He is above everything and everyone. But what great extent our God goes to bring this king to faith.
Daniel 4
Daniel 4 The King still hasn’t gotten from God what he wants from him and Daniel explains his latest dream to him, but I don’t think the King really believes it till it happens to him and he’s living like an animal and he sees all that Daniel explained to him about the dream that God has predicted before he realizes that God is real
Nebuchadnezzar praises God for all his mighty acts then he says that “he named Daniel after the name of his god and the spirit of the holy gods is in him”. He still doesn’t understand that there is just one God and no other. So, a year later, he proudly states “the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by My mighty power and for the glory of My majesty.” So, God sets him straight and follows through with what Daniel prophesied about his dream “so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth.” And when the king is restored to sanity, he finally understands how God works stating that “everything he does is right, and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” I walk in pride when I try to control outcomes so that I can benefit in some way instead of turning things over to the will of God and adjusting my life to be in line with it. I’ve struggled with this, however; I am more aware now that I am doing it, and I am learning how to trust God and turn my will and my life over to his care in every situation. This is definitely the better way to live.
Amen Shelly!
Daniel 4
Nebuchadnezzar tells of his humility and restoration. He finally recognizes that all he has is from the Lord and praises Him.
For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom is from generation to generation.
35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
He does according to His will in the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth.
No one can restrain His hand
Or say to Him, “What have You done?”
When I read about Nebuchadnezzar’s God-imposed mental illness, I think of people I know that are mentally ill and what is God’s plan for them and His purpose in them being mentally ill? I’m not talking about circumstantial depression or PTSD, but more unexplainable mental illness.
Daniel 3