SESSION 6
"Nebuchadnezzar's Testimony"
Daniel 4
In our lifetime, we have seen some radical shifts in power on the Global scale. The Birlin wall came down, the Soviet Union disolved into several independent states and communism was peacably overcome by democracy (at least for now), Iraq - or Babylon as Sudamm Husein calls it as he feels he is going to rebuild the grandure of Babylon and he is Nebuchadnezzar, the European Union has been established, and on I could go.
Truly - it is God who allows powers to take control and manipulates nations to accomplish His divine purposes.
Centuries ago, another powerful leader was temporarily set aside. Daniel 4 records the events of at least eight years when Nebuchadnezzar was the powerful king of Babylon. During this time, the king was warned in a dream of divine discipline. Choosing to disregard the warning, Nebuchadnezzar became insane for seven years, and his position and power were removed while he lived like an animal.
Following the seven years of divine discipline, Nebuchadnezzar’s sanity was restored. His kingdom was also restored, and his majesty and splendor were given back and even increased. But Nebuchadnezzar was never the same again.
We have found a cuniform inscription translated and published by Rawlinson in his Cuneiform Inscriptions of Western Asia, vol. I, #33, col. II, line 12, where Nebuchadnezzar said this:
“ In exalted trust in HIM, distant countries, remote mountains from the upper sea (Mediterranean) to the lower sea (Persian Gulf), steep paths, blockaded roads, where the step is impeded, was no footing, difficult roads, desert paths, I traversed, and the disobedient I destroyed; I captured the enemies, established justice in the lands; the people I exalted; the bad and evil I separated from the people. “
That which God taught Nebuchadnezzar, He was also seeking to teach His people, Israel. Beyond this, as we explore our text, we should see that these SESSIONs are of vital importance to every Christian and every non-Christian.
Chapter 4 in context
Daniel 4 is the last of four chapters which depicts the way God used Daniel and his three friends to impact Nebuchadnezzar, the king who not only defeated Jerusalem and Judea, but who carried them into Babylonia. As the prophets had long warned, and as Daniel informs us (see Daniel 1:1-2; 9:1-19), this was from the hand of God, who was chastening His people for their persistent sin and rebellion.
Progressively king Nebuchadnezzar came to learn about the God of Israel and to acknowledge His superiority over the gods of Babylon. In chapter 1, we see the faithfulness of Daniel and his friends to God and to His law. The king seems ignorant of Daniel’s God but recognizes the superior wisdom of Daniel and his three friends. He even appoints them to sit among his wise men. In chapter 2, Nebuchadnezzar learns that Daniel’s God is all-wise and able to reveal the future to men. In chapter 3, he learns that Israel’s God is not only all-wise, but all-powerful. Daniel’s God is able to deliver those who trust in Him, even from a powerful king. But in chapter 4, Nebuchadnezzar comes to grips with Israel’s God in a very personal way. Somewhere in the events of this chapter, the king is radically changed. We would say he was saved. The God whom Nebuchadnezzar once knew only intellectually, he now comes to trust and worship in a very personal way. Chapter 4 is the high point of Nebuchadnezzar’s life, a point he reached by being brought to an all-time low.
Chapter 4 is a continuation of chapters 1-3 in that Nebuchadnezzar is the central character.1 Chapters 1-4 may be viewed as a unit, with chapter 4 as the conclusion of this first section in Daniel. This chapter could, and did, stand alone, and its uniqueness should be recognized and appreciated.
READING: Job 33:12-17
o This is the second time god speaks to Neb. in a dream.
o The purpose is to change his conduct & keep him from pride. That is the central theme of Chapter 4.
INTRODUCTION
- it is the __first_ chapter written by a __Pagan gentile king____ in the Bible.
- the style of this chapter is equivalent to that of a _Babylonian_
state paper.
o This chapter is actually an offical edict published through the kingdom.
o Although archeology has not produced a copy of this state paper, (there are 1000’s that have not been interpreted yet!) this chapter has the same style of a Babylonian state edict! 2other writings of Neb. have been found - The style is the same!(We will read 2 portions later).
KEY POINTS
- God's __grace_________ and ___soveriegnty__________.
o God continues to work through us despite our failures.
- ___Pride_________ is a sin that God hates.
o The 1st sin was pride (lucifer).
o The 1st human sin was caused by pride (Gen.3:1-5)
- Angels are involved in our lives - they are also called __Watchers__.
o In this time period up through medevil times, men were acutly aware of the spiritual realm and angels.
o More on angels later
Chapter 4 Breakdown:
Although chapter 4 originally stood by itself as a letter from the king of Babylon, it has been neatly integrated into the Book of Daniel. The letter was written to all the peoples, of every language (4:1).
Verses 1-18 are written in the first person (“I”) and verses
19-33 in the second and third person (“you,” “the king”). This is necessary in part because someone of sound mind must describe the king’s insanity.
Finally, in verses 34-37, the text returns to a narration in the first person (“I”), where the king once again publicly praises the God of Israel, while humbly acknowledging his own humiliation and restoration.
Some do not believe Nebuchadnezzar believed - let me simply ask this - how could an unbeliever write what he wrote here in this text?
The structure of Daniel 4 may be outlined as follows:
(1) Verses 1-3 — Nebuchadnezzar’s Greeting
(2) Verses 4-12 — Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream: Part I
(3) Verses 13-18 — Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream: Part II
(4) Verses 19-27 — Daniel’s Interpretation and Exhortation
(5) Verses 28-33 — Nebuchadnezzar Put Out to Pasture
(6) Verses 34-37 — Nebuchadnezzar’s Praise
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