1. Dethroned Nebuchadnezzar : A Dream and the Insane King

2. Daniel 4:1 “Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you.”

3. “I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me.” Daniel 4:2

4. “ How great are His signs, and how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation.” Declaration of the King: Praise of the Most High God Daniel 4:3

5. The Declaration From Elam and Media in the east to Egypt. From Mediterranean sea coasts in the west. – Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian kings regarded themselves as “kings of all the earth.” Mighty works God was performing before the king Everlasting kingdom

6. Must be a contrast the King made to his own earthly kingdom which was mutable and perishable in nature. Could the declaration have been prepared by Daniel? The purpose was for to declare the king’s testimony to God’s grace and His power to humble those who lift themselves up with pride. The Declaration

7. “ I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace. Daniel 4:4

8. “I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. Afraid and Troubled Daniel 4:5

9. The King’s Dream The monarch was at ease in the palace. He was flourishing —prospering. Secure on his throne Images frightened the king The matter greatly agitated the king’s well-being.

10. “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.” The Decree Daniel 4:6

11. “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.” Daniel 4:7 Babylonian Counselors

12. “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.” Daniel 4:8 At Last, Daniel Appears

13. The King’s Appeal “ Belteshazzar, ” according to the name of Nebuchadnezzar’s God “Master of the Magicians” Why not call Daniel FIRST? – Did not wish to deal with Daniel’s God. – Realized that he might suffer humiliation and that it would come through Daniel’s God. Did he forget about the image of chapter 2?

14. “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.” Daniel 4:9 Confidence in Daniel

15. “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.” Daniel 4:10 The Dream

16. The Tree The tree occupied a central position on the earth. Remote from any forest—therefore, would attract attention.

17. “The tree grew and became strong; its height reached to the heavens, and it could be seen to the ends of all the earth.” Daniel 4:11 The Dream

18. Growing and becoming strong. Visible to the ends of the earth. The Tree

19. “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.” Daniel 4:12 The Dream

20. Tree provided... abundant fruit, shade for beasts; birds dwelt in its branches; there was food for all. The Tree

21. “I saw in the visions of my head while on my bed, and there was a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven.” Daniel 4:13 The Visions

22. “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.’” The Visions Daniel 4:14

23. “Watcher and Holy One” “ I saw …” Only time in the Old Testament the word “ watcher ” is used as it is in this chapter. – Daniel refutes the king’s understanding--vs.24 He cries out that the tree is to be hewn down. Tree to be cut down and its leaves stripped. Fruit will be scattered.

24. “ 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.” Daniel 4:15 The Stump

25. “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.” A Changed Heart Daniel 4:16

26. The Stump Tree is not completely destroyed. The stump is to be left. Stump—refers to the king – He shall be cut down as king – He will remain a man – He will again become king

27. The “ band ” refers to something that Nebuchadnezzar would undergo during his madness. “ Let it be wet…drenched ” Portion with the beasts Heart changed—from a man’s to a beast’s Reason taken away Lower, irrational creature The Stump

28. “ Let seven times pass over him ” Duration of the king’s insanity Length of time unknown Definite, fixed period of time Seven periods of time must pass before the King’s health returns. The Stump

29. “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.” Daniel 4:17 Decree Given

30. “This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its interpretation, since all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for the Spirit of the Holy God is in you.” Daniel 4:18 Wants Interpretation

31. The Sentence Nebuchadnezzar—sentence is by decree of the “ watchers.” Daniel will disagree with this conclusion That the living may know the Most High rules in the kingdom of men King acknowledges the inability of the “ heathen ” wise men and the ability of Daniel “ for the spirit of the holy gods ” was in him.

32. “ 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...’” Daniel 4:19 Troubling Dream

33. “... Belteshazzar answered and said, ‘My lord, may the dream concern those who hate you, and its interpretation concern your enemies!’” Troubling Dream Daniel 4:19

34. Daniel Troubled Daniel’s troubled spirit Daniel was perplexed—he understood that this was God’s judgment against the king. Idea of embarrassment Silent for a while. Hesitation not fear but respect for the king Difficult to tell the king— ”you’re going to go insane!”

35. “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.” Daniel 4:20 Revealing

36. “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.” Revealing Daniel 4:21

37. “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.” Daniel 4:22 Revealing

38. “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...’” Daniel 4:23 Revealing

39. “... 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.” Daniel 4:23 Revealing

40. Daniel’s Truthful Statement Daniel recapitulated the dream. The tree symbolized the king himself. It denoted his pride and the extent of his sovereignty.

41. “This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king.” Daniel 4:24 Interpretation

42. “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...” Daniel 4:25 Interpretation

43. “... 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.” Daniel 4:25 Interpretation

44. “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 4:26 Interpretation

45. “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.” Daniel 4:27 Interpretation

46. Daniel’s Interpretation Daniel states the truth of the matter Not from the “ watchers ”—but from God! The king will be “ driven from among men” Verses 15,16 now explained… – Driven out as men drive out beasts – Dwelling out in the open as do beasts – Dining on herbs as do beasts

47. The express purpose of this is to bring the king to a knowledge of the truth. After the king knows that “the heavens do rule,” the kingdom shall be assured to him The King must be humbled to acknowledge where the power truly resides! Daniel’s Interpretation

48. Daniel urges the king to repent. Daniel does not say this will avert God’s judgment. Means of turning the king to God. Daniel speaks of the possibility of the lengthening of the king’s prosperity. Righteousness is coupled with mercy. Daniel’s Interpretation

49. “All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon.” Daniel 4:28, 29 A Year Later

50. “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?” False Pride Daniel 4:30

51. Nebuchadnezzar “ Which I have built…” The king was a great builder – He renovated the two temples of Marduk in Babylon, and of Nebo in Borisippa. – Restored 15 other temples in Babylon – He completed the two great walls of the city, adding a large rampart. – He rebuilt the palace of Nabopolassar. – In 15 days, he constructed a palace to which was connected the “hanging gardens.”

54. “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” Deuteronomy 8:18 God Is the Reason

55. “And now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field I have also given him to serve him.” God Is the Reason Jeremiah 27:6

56. “Look among the nations and watch-be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you.” God Is the Reason Habakkuk 1:5

57. “For indeed I am raising up the Chaldeans, a bitter and hasty nation which marches through the breadth of the earth, to possess dwelling places that are not theirs.” God Is the Reason Habakkuk 1:6

58. “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!’” Dream Fulfilled Daniel 4:31

59. Daniel 4:32 “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...” Dream Fulfilled

60. “…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.” Dream Fulfilled Daniel 4:32

61. “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.” Dream Fulfilled Daniel 4:33

62. King’s Insanity! Kingdom departs from him—while the words are in his mouth! His hair grew long until it resembled an eagle’s feathers. His nails became long and sharp like bird claws. Medical description— lycanthropy Ate grass like an ox!

64. “And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me...” Daniel 4:34 Humbled

65. “...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.” Daniel 4:34 Humbled

66. “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?” Daniel 4:35 Clearer Understanding

67. The King’s Humility At the “ end of the days, ” the king humbly looked toward heaven. He now recognizes the source of his help. He knows the eternal God alone is his strength. (Psalm 123:1) The King’s humble confession is an outstanding declaration of God’s sovereignty and power

68. No one is like Him and His kingdom. No one can oppose His action. No one can question what He does. –“It shall come to pass in that day that the LORD will punish on high the host of exalted ones, and on the earth the kings of the earth.” (Isaiah 24:21) The King’s Humility

69. “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.” Daniel 4:36 The King’s Recovery

70. “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.” Daniel 4:37 The King’s Recovery

71. His understanding returned. His splendor and glory returned to him. His place as king among his kingdom officials was restored. He extolled and honored the King of heaven. – “His works are truth” – “His ways are just” – “His ability to abase the proud” The King’s Recovery

72. Was the King Converted? The king’s progression in knowledge and his confession – His knowledge of God Daniel 2:47; 3:28; 4:34,35 – Confesses God’s complete sovereignty Daniel 4:37b – Acknowledges God’s power Daniel 4:34,35 – Worships the “King of Heaven” Daniel 4:37a