This is a thrilling and exciting chapter. This is the story of a Babylonian king called Nebuchadnezzar, attributed with the capture of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Although he is the enemy of the Jews, yet we shall see that this mighty and powerful pagan king is in the hands of God. Here we find the exposition and application of Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.”
In this chapter we shall see how he is finally
brought to conversion, although some commentators, including John Calvin argue
against it[1].
I will take the position of E.J. Young[2]
and most other commentators I have consulted, who believe that in this chapter Nebuchadnezzar
did experience the regenerating grace of
God.
Rehearsing what we know
of Nebuchadnezzar
In chapter 1 we get to know him as a powerful king and conqueror of nations – perhaps the most powerful man in his time. He depended on the counsel of wise men, among who were the Jews, Daniel and his friends, who stood head and shoulders above all the Babylonian wise men, simply because they were equipped by God in wisdom and in knowledge.
In chapter 2 we saw that Nebuchadnezzar had a dream which greatly troubled him. None of the wise men of Babylon could interpret the dream (2:10), but Daniel with the help of God (2:19ff) could, for “… there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to king Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days."(2:28). The impact of God's revelation to Daniel, and Daniel's subsequent interpretation of it to the King, is observed in 2:46,47.
In chapter 3 we learn that the human mind very quickly forgets the mighty acts of God. In this chapter he forces his subjects to worship a man- created, lifeless image of gold. Refusal to do so means death in a fiery furnace! When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, refuse to bow down to this image of gold, because they fear God more than king, the king is furious, and commands that they be thrown into the furnace. The God who is greater than the king or the fire preserves his servants in the fire. Nebuchadnezzar’s astonished reaction is found in 3:28 -29. We must not be fooled to think that such profound experiences have the power to convert anyone. Notice Jesus' observations in Luke 16:19 – 31, the story of Lazarus and the rich man…The rich man in Hades, being in torment begs Abraham to send a messenger to his 5 brothers that he might warn them of what was awaiting them. He says, “If someone goes to them from the dead (a miracle), they will repent. Lk 16:31 records, “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, nether will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead”. Miracles in themselves do not convince people to repent and to place their faith in God. A dead heart is unresponsive. You must receive a new heart! Many people are like Nebuchadnezzar and this rich man here, and also like Judas. They see the mighty works of God. They hear the gospel preached. They see the results. Some of them are profoundly impressed by gospel truth and evidence, but they are not converted. We need to be reminded of the parable of the sower and the seed (Mk. 4:1 - 20). Only the seed sown on good soil is the seed that hears the word, AND receives it wholeheartedly AND produces a crop that is fruitful. These are those who are born again (John 3).
There is another great lesson in these first 3 chapters. They
show us how patient God is. He has spoken to Nebuchadnezzar indirectly in
Chapter 1. He has spoken to him directly
in Chapter 2. God has shaken him in
Chapter 3. God is knocking and knocking, but his heart remains hardened. And now in Chapter 4 he is going to knock
again. Stuart Olyott says,"... and this time He is going to knock
in such a way that the door will come right off its hinges. God has determined
to enter Nebuchadnezzar's heart, so enter it, He will."[3]
OUTLINE
1. 4:1-3
The Perspective of hindsight
2. 4:4-18 A second dream, which creates much
anxiety
3. 4: 19-27 Again, Daniel interprets the
dream
4. 4: 28-33 The fulfilment of the dream
5. 4:34-37 Nebuchadnezzar's recovery and
confession of faith
1. 4:1-3 THE PERSPECTIVE OF HINDSIGHT
The introduction is actually a conclusion! Chronologically,
these opening words belong at the end of the chapter because they come out of
Nebuchadnezzar's experience, recorded in this chapter. This is an introduction
to that which God had done in Nebuchadnezzar’s life. It begins with a terrible
dream, followed by Daniel’s interpretation and ends with Nebuchadnezzar’s restoration.
Here we find a new tone, a new sense of worship and a new humility in the king.
The truth about the Sovereign God has finally sunk in! He is no longer talking
about God among the gods - except in 4:8,9
- which needs to be understood in the
context of his testimony, when he was as yet unconverted. After the period of humbling, the
only name on his lips is the Most High God and His praiseworthy attributes. In 4:34 - 37 we will find the newfound praise
which he now has for the Sovereign King of heaven.
Do you have a friend, a relative or spouse that you think is too
hard for God to reach and bring about
conversion? Remember the work of God in bringing about Nebuchadnezzar's
repentance and conversion.
2. 4:4-18 A second dream!
It all starts with yet another dream in which Nebuchadnezzar
becomes afraid by what he sees, ...”As I
lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me…” (4:5).
Once again, nobody but Daniel is
able to make sense out of this dream (4:8).
The substance of the dream concerned a big, beautiful, fruitful tree in the midst
of the earth, a tree which sustained the earth, visible to all. This is a
picture of Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylonian
empire. The prophet Ezekiel used a similar image of a tree in terms of the
kingdom of Assyria...‘Behold, Assyria was
a cedar in Lebanon with beautiful branches and forest shade, and very high, and
its top was among the clouds. (Ezek.
31:3).
Suddenly, an angelic being, called here a watcher[4]
(see also 4:17,23) came down from
heaven and commanded this tree to be chopped down, leaving only a stump bound
with a band of iron and bronze. The
function of the band of iron and bronze is not clear. Some see the band as a
figurative allusion to the king being bound by mental illness. Others see it as
a sign that the stump would be protected thus assuring its survival. In 4:15b,16 that stump
is clearly identified with Nebuchadnezzar. God would severely downsize him, but not
destroy him. Out of the stump he was going to make something new! Before this
happens God will strike Nebuchadnezzar with temporary insanity. God caused him to live like an animal
for 7 years. There is a rare mental
disorder called lycantropy in
which a person identifies as an animal[5].
This is the dream that Nebuchadnezzar
saw.
3. 4: 19-27 Again Daniel interprets the dream
It now becomes clear that this is a personal message from God
Most High to Nebuchadnezzar and it disturbs Daniel (4:19). Nebuchadnezzar must have seen the look of concern on
Daniel’s face, but he encourages him to tell the truth. In 4:22
Daniel delivers the verdict: “It is you O
king”[6]
. The tree is Nebuchadnezzar.
He is going to be chopped down… severely, even to the point of being insane- all
this is designed by God to bring Nebuchadnezzar to his knees (4:25,26). Daniel the evangelist has but one word for the king in 4:27… “ break off your sins…”. In the light of this judgement, Daniel pleads
with the King to repent, so that the King might not suffer the consequences, remembering
that God is merciful and quick to forgive. However, we see that the pleadings
of Daniel fall on deaf ears. One of the hardest facts to face as a preacher is
that despite the urgent pleas we issue for people to repent everywhere, many will not hear! King
Nebuchadnezzar is our prototype.
4. 4: 28-33 The fulfilment of the dream - the stubbornness of sin
In 4:28,29 we find the king’s pride is overtaking him, and so the time for judgement has arrived. God has been very patient, but He is not mocked. Nebuchadnezzar's iniquity has reached its full measure. Pride is killing him. Let this not be lost on us. It is a very common sin. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to search each of our hearts. Allow the ultimate Watcher to search your own heart.
Warning signs of a proud heart are:
- Usually thinks that he is right.
- Is easily offended.
- Does not like to be corrected.
- Often complains about circumstances or people.
- Usually ungrateful.
- Often impatient with others and sometimes with God.
- Secretly ashamed of serving Christ.
- Likes to talk more than to listen;
- freely offers opinions.
- Desires to be first or best.
- Needs to be noticed.
- Obstinate towards authority.
- Quick to find fault with others.
- Quick to contradict others.
- Demanding and hard to please.
- Much more sensitive to personal desires than to the needs of others.
- Has a hard time forgiving others.
- etc[7]
5. 4:34-37 NebuchaDnezzar's recovery and confession of faith
And so we find that Nebuchadnezzar finally gets the big point
made repeatedly in - see 4:17, 25,32
A VITAL LESSON ABOUT CONVERSION:
1. Man’s heart is dead in sin
2. Only God can change that heart
Nothing in the whole world would have moved Nebuchadnezzar to
bow down to God in repentance and humble submission. God alone has brought
Nebuchadnezzar into a state of faith and repentance by a persistent pursuit,
reminiscent of a poem, The Hound of Heaven by Francis Thompson (1890). He came because God had determined so. Note,
that at the end, Nebuchadnezzar is like a tamed horse - his will is submitted -
but his life is restored to him. We never need to fear to be broken by God, or
to see others broken, for whom we pray for salvation. God remakes what He
breaks, and a contrite and broken heart, God does not despise (Psalm 51:17). In fact, the most
merciful thing God can do to a sinner is to knock him down. Sometimes we must be
knocked down flat on our backs, so that we can look up!
Let me speak a frank word with those of you who have no testimony of conversion and no assurance of salvation. The reason why you are not yet saved, despite all your interest in coming to church and your interest in the Bible, is because you have not been humbled to confess your sin and turn to God. ou are still too proud to come humbly before the throne of Grace, and there to acknowledge that you are a sinner.
It is time for you to face the
fact, dear friend that God will not take you on your own terms. Those who come
to God through Christ must come in the same way as all others have come before.
You must come through Christ the narrow door. Not until you have cried in the
words of the tax collector: "God be
merciful, to me - a sinner (Lk.
18:13) and not until you have fallen on your knees like the Philippian
jailer and cried, "What must I do to
be saved?" (Acts 16:30) will
you experience true salvation. Jesus did not come to save
the righteous (i.e. those who trust in their own strength and self- sufficiency).
Jesus came to save the broken hearted sinner (Mark 2:17). Nebuchadnezzar's conversion proves that. The entire
spectrum of Scripture proves that. Repent today- unless you want to wait until God has knocked you down!
[1] https://www.grace-ebooks.com/library/John%20Calvin/JC_Daniel_Vol_1.pdf
. P 154/5 …Nebuchadnezzar confessed Israel’s God to be Most High; yet, he did not
correct the idolatry which still flourished under his sway… he mingled and
confused the false gods with the God of Israel….He celebrates indeed with magnificence
the glory of the supreme God, but this is not sufficient without abolishing all superstitions, and promoting
that religion alone which is prescribed by the word of God, and causing his
pure and perfect worship to flourish..”
[2] E.J. Young , Banner of Truth:
Daniel, pp 113,114
[3] Stuart Olyott: Dare to Stand Alone
(Evangelical Press), p.52,53
[4] a
unique Aramaic word (only in Daniel 4:13, 17, 23) which means watchman and
comes from the verb meaning to be wakeful or on watch. The idea is a
"waking one", one who is constantly alert. "This distinctive
name occurs also in extra-Biblical
literature (the book of Enoch). The term suggests that angels are watching us,
and they "desire to look into" God's dealings with us (1Peter 1:12)
[5]
R.K. Harrison in his Introduction to the
Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,
1969) describes such a case.
[6] cf.
Nathan to King David- 2Sam. 12:7
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