DANIEL SERIES: SEVEN YEARS OF INSANITY – CHAPTER 4

King Nebuchadnezzar made the proclamation found in this chapter in 562 B.C., and the events that took place in this chapter were thirty-seven years after the dream that he had in chapter two.
The king opens his testimony, declaring peace to all people, nations, and languages. He acknowledges the sovereignty of God and His eternal kingdom and rulership. Then, the king sets the stage for the dream by revealing that he experienced peace and prosperity in Babylon after victoriously defeating Syria, Phoenicia, Judea, Egypt, and Arabia. To him, the dream was perplexing and made him fearful. When he told the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers the dream, they were unable to give him the interpretation. Knowing that the spirit of God resided in Daniel when he finally came to the king, he told him the dream with the expectation that Daniel would be able to interpret it.
In the king’s dream, he saw a magnificent, sturdy tree that grew tall into the heavens, allowing the inhabitants of the earth to view it from afar. The tree was filled with leaves and fruit on which men and animals could feast. Wild animals found shelter from the sun under it, and birds found refuge in its branches.
An angel from heaven whom he called a watcher came down and cried the sentence, which was severe but not fatal, “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: 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: 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.” The angel explained this was done by God so that the earth’s inhabitants would know God dominates the kingdom of the world and He decides who will be their ruler.
For one hour, Daniel sat silently, mulling over the dream, and came to the realization that the king’s enemies would rejoice over it. The king told him not to be afraid of giving him the interpretation; consequently, Daniel shared that the tree in the dream represented the king and his worldwide kingdom and that he would be humbled by suffering from boanthropy. Men would drive the king out of the palace, and he would become like an animal on the field, eating grass for seven years. This sentence could not be reversed, for God had decreed it. Furthermore, when King Nebuchadnezzar came to understand that it is God who rules the earth and gives power to whom He pleases, he would be reinstated to his position of king.
Continuing talking, Daniel said, “Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.” However, Daniel’s counsel was not followed for twelve months later; as the impenitent king walked in the palace, he 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?” While he was speaking, a voice from heaven told him the kingdom had departed from him, and within that hour, he was driven out of the palace to the field. There, he lived outdoors, experiencing the elements, eating grass like an ox, and his hair and nails growing long like the eagles and birds.
Though he was deposed for a time, at the completion of seven years, King Nebuchadnezzar looked up to heaven, and his sanity returned. Regaining a sound mind, King Nebuchadnezzar blessed and praised God. Historians record that King Nebuchadnezzar lived for approximately one to two years after being restored as king, dying in his forty-fifth year of reigning.
Here are the nuggets that I learned from this chapter:
Some dreams are terrifying.
God oversees the earth; He has a final say.
God’s kingdom is from everlasting to everlasting; it never ceases.
The powers that be are ordained by God.
God will hide things from the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers.
People recognize the spirit of God in His chosen vessels.
Prophets must speak the truth no matter the cost.
There are some events that you are hesitant to reveal.
Our merciful God warns men of future problems.
God gives men an opportunity to rectify their ways before judgment occurs.
When good advice is given, take heed.
Whatever God decrees will come to pass.
When you ignore warnings from God, you will suffer the consequences.
God will humble the proud.
God can restore all that you lost.