NEBUCHADNEZZAR UPLIFTED- DEGRADED-
RESTORED- PRAISED LORD.
Daniel 4 told
how the king commended the Lord of heaven after 3 young Israelites had been preserved
from the furious inferno. He decreed,
’All peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth; peace be
multiplied to you. I thought it good to
declare the signs and wonders that the most High God has worked in me. ‘He
continued, ’How great are His signs, and how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is
an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation.’
(v1-4)
God worked in
the life of this monarch, the greatest of his day. He dreamed: and this
disquieted him. He called the philosophers of
The king
dreamed, ’I was looking and behold a tree in the midst of the earth.
Its height was
great. The tree grew and became strong. Its height reached to the heavens. It
could be seen to the ends of all the earth. Its leaves were lovely
Its fruit
abundant and in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under
it. The birds of heaven dwelt in its branches.’
Daniel shattered the king’s composure with, ‘You, O King, have grown and
become strong; for your greatness has grown to the heavens and your dominion to
the end of the earth.’ (v22).
The king’s
dream was extended, ‘And all flesh was fed from it. I saw a watcher, a holy
One, coming down from heaven. He cried out aloud and said, Chop down the tree
and cut off its branches. Strip off its
leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts get out from under it; and the
birds from its branches. Nevertheless, leave the stump and roots in the earth,
bound with a band of iron and bronze. In the tender grass of the field, let it
be wet with the dew of heaven. And let him graze with the beasts on the grass
of the earth. Let his heart be changed
from that of a man, let him be given the heart of an animal. And let seven
times (years) pass over him.’
‘This decision
is by the decree of the watchers, and the sentence by the word of the holy
ones. In order that the living may know that the most HIGH rules in the kingdom
of men, and gives it to whomever He will; and sets over it the lowest of men.‘
Then the plea: ‘You are able to make known to me the interpretation for the Spirit
of the holy God is in you.’ (v18) The
king had observed Daniel’s integrity.
Daniel
courageously and fearlessly interpreted: ’O King, this is the decree of the
most High, which has come upon my Lord. Daniel’s heart quivered excitedly,
pronouncing judgment on the most powerful ruler of the day. Consider Hitler in
Nazi
He confirmed,
’They shall wet you with the dew of heaven; seven times (years ) shall pass
over you, ’and here’s the punch line, ’Till you know that the Most High rules
in the kingdom of men and gives it to whom ever He chooses.’ (v25) Oh, that we
would understand God’s dominion and supremacy.
Do you? Your children?
A heavenly ray
of hope shone on the grim scene,’ The command to leave the stump and roots of
the tree; links with ‘your kingdom shall be assured to you after you come to
know that heaven rules’ This incredibly brave servant called the king to
repentance, ‘O King, let my counsel be acceptable to you; break off your sins
by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps
there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.’ Daniel was a unique prophet.
God’s word was
meticulously fulfilled in the king’s life. (v28) ’All this came upon the proud,
boastful King Nebuchadnezzar. ’At the end of 12 months he was walking about the
royal
‘That very hour
(precipitated judgment for) ‘the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar:
he was driven from men (who had feted him) and ate grass like oxen; his body
was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagle’s feathers
and his nails like bird’s claws.’ (v33)
Seven degraded years of animal life.
Nebuchadnezzar
poured out his Doxology, ‘At the end of the time I lifted up my eyes to heaven,
and my understanding returned to me; ( miraculous restoration of mind ) and I
blessed the most High and praised and honoured Him who lives for ever: His thanksgiving followed, ‘His dominion is
from generation to generation. All the
inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does as He 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?’ He
returned from exile by the mercy of His God.
He rejoiced
that ‘My reason has returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honour
and splendour returned to me. His staff valued him, ‘My counsellors and nobles
resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom and excellent majesty was added to
me.’ Notice his balanced words, ‘I Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol the King of
heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. \’ Seriously,
’Those who walk in pride He is able to abase.’ He knew; he had been there, for
God had
animated the ruler who had lived an animalistic life-style.
Pray for
national rulers, for our unchanging Lord waits to deliver them. Pray!