SCRIPTURE: DANIEL 4
NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S DREAM OF A TREE (vs. 1-18)
THIS IS WHAT NEBUCHADNEZZAR DREAMED:
A tree stood in the middle of the land with enormous height. The tree grew tall and strong with its top touching the sky. It has beautiful leaves with abundant fruits. It was a shelter for the beast of the field and the birds of the air in its branches. Then there was a messenger coming down from heaven saying: “Cut down the tree and trim off its branches. Strip off its leaves and scatter its fruits. 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.” (vs. 10-16)
DANIEL INTERPRETS THE DREAM (vs. 19-27)
Daniel said: “O King, 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. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle 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 the kingdoms of men and give 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. Therefore, O king, 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.” (vs. 24-27)
THE DREAM IS FULFILLED (vs. 28-37)
Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon when 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?” (v. 29) The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has bee taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes: (v. 31-32)
Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like cattle. He 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. but at the end of that time, Nebuchadnezzar’s sanity was restored. His honor and splendor were returned and he was restored to his throne and became even greater than before. He praised the Most Hight and honored God. He exalt and glorify the King of heaven because all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride will be humbled by him.
THOUGHTS:
Nebuchadnezzar had a second dream and Daniel was called to interpret his dream. The dream warned the king that his pride would lead to judgment. The magicians were not able to interpret it, so Daniel had another opportunity to glorify God in heaven. God gave Nebuchadnezzar the opportunity for repentance and humbled him. When the king learned his lesson, God restored him and he gave glory to God.