04 A Despot Dethroned

Slides for this study

This is the record of the conversion story of Nebuchadnezzar.

  • Chapter 1: Nebuchadnezzar recognizes the superiority of Daniel and his friends.
  • Chapter 2: Nebuchadnezzar recognizes that only God can give dreams and interpretations.
  • Chapter 3: Nebuchadnezzar recognizes that God is the true God but is still not fully converted.

Chapters 1-4 all have Nebuchadnezzar in it. So all four boys have a part to play in his conversion. God has given him so many chances through the first 3 chapters.

Also, during this time, Nebuchadnezzar’s prestige and power has grown with each passing year. His fame as a builder and military commander had spread far and wide throughout the ancient world.

Daniel 4:1-5
1 Nebuchadnezzar the king, To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. 2 I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me. 3 How great are His signs, and how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation. 4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace. 5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

King Nebuchadnezzar is actually writing this chapter of Daniel.

  • He is giving a personal testimony for everyone to read and be encouraged.
  • We don’t often like to look into too much detail of the dark and hidden secrets of our past. But when you can share it as a testimony to bless others, then you know you’ve gotten over that shame that was related to that incident.

God gives Nebuchadnezzar a second dream which he could not understand. What effect did this dream have on him?

  • He became afraid and it troubled him.

So what does he go and do?

  • Daniel 4:6-7
    6 Therefore I issued a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers came in, and I told them the dream; but they did not make known to me its interpretation.

He brings in all his wise men again. Sounds like a repeat of Daniel 2.

  • However, this time he remembers his dream.
  • But even then, the wise men are not able to give him the meaning of the dream.
  • Finally, what happens?

Daniel 4:8-9
8 But at last Daniel came before me (his name is Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god; in him is the Spirit of the Holy God), and I told the dream before him, saying: 9 “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that the Spirit of the Holy God is in you, and no secret troubles you, explain to me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and its interpretation.

What distinguished Daniel from the other wisemen?

  • It wasn’t simply because he was the chief of the magicians. He was the leader of the wise men. But yet he was called in last. Why? Maybe God wanted to show to Nebuchadnezzar again the foolishness of all his other worldly wise men.
  • Yet the Bible tells us that in him was the Spirit of the Holy God.
  • If there is to be a distinction between others, it should be evident that God is dwelling in us.
  • True wisdom comes from having God’s Spirit dwell in us.

Daniel 4:10-17
10 “These were the visions of my head while on my bed: I was looking, and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great. 11 The tree grew and became strong; its height reached to the heavens, and it could be seen to the ends of all the earth. 12 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 the heavens dwelt in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it.

13 “I saw in the visions of my head while on my bed, and there was a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven. 14 He cried aloud and said thus: 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. 15 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.

16 Let his heart be changed from that of a man, let him be given the heart of a beast, and let seven times pass over him. 17 ‘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, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men.’

How do we know that this tree was symbolic and not that of a literal tree?

  • In verse 16 it says “let his heart be changed from that of a man, let him be given the heart of a beast.”

And how long would this change last for?

  • It says seven times.
  • When you look at the concordance to check what that word meant in the original text, it means a year.
  • So this change would be for a duration of seven years.

And what was the reason that this dream was given?

  • To let the people know that the “Most High rules in the kingdom of men.”
  • This is a repeat of Daniel 2.
    • Who was dreaming in Daniel 2?
    • It is the same king, Nebuchadnezzar.
  • God is trying to get a message across to him.
    • Same message.
    • Daniel 2:21
      And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
  • The king still hasn’t humbled himself. He still wants his kingdom to last forever – the kingdom of gold.
  • Nebuchadnezzar is still trying to defy God in all that He has revealed to him.

Upon telling the dream, Nebuchadnezzar asks Daniel for its interpretation. How does Daniel react when he hears it?

  • Daniel 4:19
    Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time, and his thoughts troubled him. So the king spoke, and said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you.” Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may the dream concern those who hate you, and its interpretation concern your enemies!
  • Daniel is greatly troubled. And for a while he is not able to speak. The news was that bad! But after the king had urged him to tell all, Daniel faithfully reveals the terrible truth to him.

Daniel 4:20-22
20 “The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which could be seen by all the earth, 21 whose leaves were lovely and its fruit abundant, in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the heaven had their home— 22 it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your dominion to the end of the earth.

Who did the tree represent?

  • It was king Nebuchadnezzar.
  • This time it is not him and his kingdom, it is just him specifically.

Daniel 4:23-25
23 “And inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its 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 of the field, till seven times pass over him’; 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king: 25 They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.

The cutting down of the tree meant Nebuchadnezzar’s fall. How long would he be forced from his throne?

  • It was to be 7 times, which is 7 years.

What was it that would cause the end of Nebuchadnezzar’s banishment from the throne?

  • “till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”

Here is also given the reason as to why he would become crazy and eat grass for 7 years as well.

  • Even though he had so much overwhelming evidence that God was real and He was in control, yet Nebuchadnezzar is in rebellion. He had been given so many chances.
  • God did not make him to eat grass like oxen from the He gave him a lot of chances. REMEMBER.
    • Chapter 1: Nebuchadnezzar recognizes the superiority of Daniel and his friends.
    • Chapter 2: Nebuchadnezzar recognizes that only God can give dreams and interpretations.
    • Chapter 3: Nebuchadnezzar recognizes that God is the true God but is still not fully converted.
  • God gives us many chances as well. He is merciful and gracious.

But God gives the assurance that he would be restored back to his throne. Not all is doom and gloom.

  • Daniel 4:26
    “And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules.

Daniel ends a show of deep concern for Nebuchadnezzar.

  • Daniel 4:27
    27 Therefore, O king, let my advice 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.”

He urges the king to do 2 things:

  • Break off your sins by being righteous.
  • And show mercy to the poor.
  • If Nebuchadnezzar would follow Daniel’s counsel, he could avoid the trouble that was predicted to overtake him.
  • Even though Nebuchadnezzar was king, God’s love for him to change and be converted and be saved was no different.
    • The only different is that we get to see God’s intricate workings with man.
  • Nebuchadnezzar’s life has been on full display for all of us to see how God desires us to stop sinning and to turn to a life of righteousness.
  • It’s important to think about the trials and troubles that come upon our life.
    • Sometimes they are a result of our own foolish doing.
    • But maybe other times it’s God trying to get our attention, to lead us down a different path than which we have been on.

 

UNCONDITIONAL VS CONDITIONAL PROPHECIES

There are 2 types of prophecies in the Bible.

  • Unconditional prophecies.
    • It is going to happen no matter what.
  • Conditional prophecies.
    • It can be avoided but it depends on the human element in how we respond.

Some examples of unconditional prophecies.

  • The second coming.
  • The flood.
  • They were going to happen no matter what.

Conditional prophecies.

  • Jonah warning about the destruction of Nineveh.
  • The destruction of Sodom.

What would happen to Nebuchadnezzar was conditional.

  • If he changed, if he would surrender fully to God, then all of this would not happen to him.

BIG PICTURE:

  • Why is God doing this to Nebuchadnezzar?
  • Is He angry at him for not giving Him the glory but rather taking all the glory to himself? No.
  • God is trying to save him!

 

Did Nebuchadnezzar really have a lot to be proud about?

  • Yes he did!
  • Modern discoveries reveal that he was, in fact, one of the world’s greatest builders. Humanly speaking, he really did have a lot to boast about.

Daniel 4:28-30
28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?”

The dream and the interpretation from Daniel impacted Nebuchadnezzar for 12 months, a whole year.

  • He was changed, but only for a little while.
  • It wasn’t a true change. He was only partially converted.

What did he say to himself?

  • It was all about himself and what he had done.
  • I built it.
  • By MY mighty power.
  • For the honor of MY Majesty.

Daniel 4:31-33
31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! 32 And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” 33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.

Isn’t this description so interesting?

  • His hair grew out like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.

This can be found in your handout on page 7 in the middle there:

  • An unusual fragment of a tablet from Babylon, now in the British Museum, was published in 1975. It is considered possible that it refers to Nebuchadnezzar’s mental illness. The inscription says, “life appeared of no value to” him, “he does not show love to son and daughter”, and “family and clan do not exist” for him any longer. (A K Grayson, Babylonian Historial-Literary Texts, Toronto, 1975, pages 88-92)

Daniel 4:34-35
34 And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: 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?”

At the end, Nebuchadnezzar’s mind is finally restored back to him.

  • God kept His promise.

However, did Nebuchadnezzar really have to be crazy for 7 years?

  • Was it God’s judgment on him that it had to be for 7 years?
  • God knew that it would take 7 years for Nebuchadnezzar to change, to finally humble himself and look to heaven and acknowledge God.
  • God didn’t desire for Nebuchadnezzar to be crazy at all in the first place.
  • He wanted him to change, to be converted.
  • To be born again.

Daniel 4:36
At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me.

Nebuchadnezzar is restored back to his kingdom.

  • Who do you think was taking care of his kingdom all this time?
  • Daniel of course! No better person to leave the kingdom to.

Look at the difference between what Nebuchadnezzar says about God in Daniel 2, and Daniel 3 and now here in Daniel 4.

  • Daniel 2:47
    The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.”

    • He is just a bigger God over all the other gods.
    • He has revealed a secret.
  • Daniel 3:28-29
    28 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego… there is no other God who can deliver like this.”

    • He is the God of Shadrach, Mechach and Abednego.
    • He’s not Nebuchadnezzar’s God yet.
  • Daniel 4:37
    Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.

    • Finally He praises God personally. He has become personal to him.
    • It took 4 encounters, Daniel 1, 2, 3, and 4, but he finally got there.
  • I wonder how many encounters it will take for each of us to give our lives in full surrender to God.

What made the difference to Nebuchadnezzar?? One of God’s richest promises was fulfilled in his life.

  • Ezekiel 36:26
    I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
  • A new heart means new desires, an inner trust in God. Pleasure in obeying His commandments.
  • It takes God’s Spirit, and often some very hard experiences, to change a person’s heart from pride to humility.

But why do we need a new heart?

  • Because in many ways we are all little kings of Babylon by nature.
  • Romans 3:23
    For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
  • We, like Nebuchadnezzar, need to break off our sins and be righteous. But we can’t do this by ourselves.
  • That’s why the Bible says:
    • John 3:7
      Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
  • That is, become a new person at heart, and endeavour to live that way.

How can we have this born again experience today?

  • 1 Peter 1:23
    Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.
  • We are born by the word of God.
  • This is why having an interaction with the Bible is so important.
  • Maybe God is trying to get your attention today. He’s telling you that you need to give the Bible a more serious look at.
  • More than just once a week for 1 hour at the Daniel Masterclass.
  • Who would like to have personal Bible study?

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