Nebuchadnezzar’s Second Dream
November 6, 2022
Commentary
It seems that several years (some say 30) have transpired between the experience of Daniel’s three friends in chapter 3 and Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and period of insanity in chapter 4. King Nebuchadadnezzar tells all people to prosper (v. 1). Although Nebuchadnezzar praised Daniel’s God, he still did not believe in Him completely or submit to Him alone (vv. 2-3). The king in his pride and arrogance, continued in his willful way until God spoke this third time. He certainly was not a man who was easily frightened but it brings fear to his heart (vv. 4-5). Although he knew Daniel and his ability to interpret dreams he goes first to the Chaldeans who again are found to be powerless (vv. 6-7). It is so easy, to turn to earthly solutions when new problems come rather than seeking the Lord.
When the others had failed Daniel was finally summoned (vv. 8-9). When people’s hearts are not right with the Lord they usually are not anxious to face a man of God. A description of the prophetic dream was given to Daniel (vv. 10-12). The dream was about a great tree, located in the most conspicuous place on earth. It grew until it reached heaven and could be seen by all the earth.
Then suddenly and unexpectedly there came an order that the tree be cut down, the branches removed, the leaves shaken from the branches and the fruit scattered (vv. 13-14). The stump was then subject to all the elements and to the beast of the field while the tree is referred to as a person (vv. 15-16). Clearly the tree represented a person who was to have his heart changed from a man’s to a beast’s and he was to remain like this for a period of seven years. The king now waited for Daniel to interpret this dream. He was trying to figure out how Daniel could interpret his dreams and the wise men in his kingdom couldn’t (vv. 17-18),
Application
When trouble comes, who do I go to for advice? I must recognize that trials often come my way as things that will cause me to grow spiritually (Romans 8:28).
Daniel 4:1– 18 (NET)
1 (3:31) King Nebuchadnezzar, to all peoples, nations, and language groups that live in all the land: “Peace and prosperity! 2 I am delighted to tell you about the signs and wonders that the most high God has done for me.
3 “How great are his signs! How mighty are his wonders! His kingdom will last forever, and his authority continues from one generation to the next.”
4 (4:1) I, Nebuchadnezzar, was relaxing in my home, living luxuriously in my palace. 5 I saw a dream that frightened me badly. The things I imagined while lying on my bed—these visions of my mind—were terrifying me. 6 So I issued an order for all the wise men of Babylon to be brought before me so that they could make known to me the interpretation of the dream. 7 When the magicians, astrologers, wise men, and diviners entered, I recounted the dream for them. But they were unable to make known its interpretation to me. 8 Later Daniel entered (whose name is Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom there is a spirit of the holy gods). I recounted the dream for him as well, 9 saying, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, in whom I know there to be a spirit of the holy gods and whom no mystery baffles, consider my dream that I saw and set forth its interpretation! 10 Here are the visions of my mind while I was on my bed. “While I was watching, there was a tree in the middle of the land. It was enormously tall.
11 The tree grew large and strong. Its top reached far into the sky; it could be seen from the borders of all the land.
12 Its foliage was attractive and its fruit plentiful; on it there was food enough for all. Under it the wild animals used to seek shade, and in its branches the birds of the sky used to nest. All creatures used to feed themselves from it.
13 While I was watching in my mind’s visions on my bed, a holy sentinel came down from heaven.
14 He called out loudly as follows: ‘Chop down the tree and lop off its branches! Strip off its foliage and scatter its fruit! Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches.
15 But leave its taproot in the ground, with a band of iron and bronze around it surrounded by the grass of the field. Let it become damp with the dew of the sky, and let it live with the animals in the grass of the land.
16 Let his mind be altered from that of a human being, and let an animal’s mind be given to him, and let seven periods of time go by for him.
17 This announcement is by the decree of the sentinels; this decision is by the pronouncement of the holy ones, so that those who are alive may understand that the Most High has authority over human kingdoms, and he bestows them on whomever he wishes. He establishes over them even the lowliest of human beings.’
18 “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its interpretation, for none of the wise men in my kingdom are able to make known to me the interpretation. But you can do so, for a spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
Illustration: In The Eye of The Storm
When no one is watching, live as if someone is:God has forgiven you, you’d be wise to do the same. Toot your own horn and the notes will be flat. The book of life is lived in chapters, so know your page number. (Max Lucado, In The Eye of the Storm).