The Book of Daniel: Chapter 4 Chapter 4:1-3 In this portion of scripture, we find God’s dealing with Nebuchadnezzar, the great Babylonian monarch. Nebuchadnezzar is relating an experience that he personally had and greatly changed his life. If Nebuchadnezzar ever came to a place in his life where he yielded his life to God, it would probably be during the experience that is related here. Nebuchadnezzar praises God and His mighty power. Chapter 4:4-18 "At rest in mine house." Nebuchadnezzar was resting in his house. The word for rest used here, indicates peace or tranquillity. The house referred to here is the royal residence. "Flourishing in my palace." This literally means "Abundant upon my throne." He was tranquil, calm, and prosperous upon his throne. "I saw a dream." The king had a dream which he perceived and remembered. "Which made me afraid." The reason for the king’s fear is not specified. It may have been the vividness, or a sensing that it might refer to some evil which would come upon himself. "And the thoughts upon my bed." The king evidently pondered the dream and its possible interpretation. As he thought about the dream and the visions or parts of the dream, he was troubled about its meaning. "Bring all the wise men of Babylon." The king gathered his wise men together. Daniel was not with them. This statement would seem to indicate that up to this time the king still preferred his deities and wise men over Daniel and Jehovah. The wise men could not interpret the dream. This would seem to indicate that these wise men must have had some method of trying to get an interpretation which failed in this instance. It also indicates that they were men who tried to give what they felt was an honest interpretation, because they did not give a false interpretation in this case to cover up their inability to interpret the dream. "At last Daniel came in before me." Why did Daniel come in last. This possibly indicates that the king still favored his gods. It may also indicate that Daniel came later of his own accord in order to show that he was not a part of the other group of wise men. It could also be that he came last because he was further removed from the palace than the other wise men. "Whose name was Belteshazzar according to the name of my god. Bel or Belus was the name of his god. Here we are able to see the name of the god that Nebuchadnezzar worshipped. This does not mean that he worshipped only one god. The monarchs of this period and territory, worshipped many gods, but usually chose one which they considered to be the greatest. "Master of the magicians." This refers to Daniel as first among the magicians in the sense that he was superior to all the rest. "The spirit of the holy gods is in thee." This is the statement of a pagan monarch who worships many gods. He recognizes the supernatural powers given to Daniel. Therefore he attributed it to the spirit of the holy gods. "Tell me the visions of my dream." The king told Daniel to tell him the meaning of his dream. "A tree in the midst of the earth." The tree seemed to be in the center of the earth. There is no mention of other trees. It evidently stood alone. "The height thereof reached into heaven." The tree reached far up into the sky its top seeming to be lost in the clouds. The tree was great in the extent of its growth and the blessings that it gave to the beasts and fowls. "The sight thereof to the end of all the earth." As far as could be seen, the tree’s limbs reached out. This of course, referring to Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom, indicated that it controlled most of the known world. The tree is described as a harbor for the birds and beasts. This refers to the benefits that the people who benefited from the Babylonian kingdom. "A watcher an holy one." This refers to an angel. It indicates the alertness of the angels. They do not sleep, but watch. This was one of the servants of God who had not fallen with Lucifer, for he is described as an holy one. "Let his heart be changed from man’s and let a beasts heart be given unto him." Here we see that the vision refers to a man, for his heart is changed from a man’s. This indicates that the man spoken of here is to have his human nature removed and be given the nature of a beast. This individual will no longer live like a man but as a beast. He will lose his human rationality. "And let seven times pass over him." The word seven is clear, but the word times does not refer to only one set period of time. However, it seems to be clear that this refers to seven years. It is noticed in verse 33 that the man’s hair will grow like eagles feathers and his nails like claws. This would require a longer period than days, weeks, or months. In chapter 7 verse 25, the word times is used again. If this portion refers to the 3 1/2 years found in the Tribulation, then it would seem that its usage in the rest of the book, would also refer to years unless the context indicates otherwise. "This matter is by the decree of the watchers." The indication seems to be that God had placed these angels in charge of executing His will. They therefore determined this judgment to humble Nebuchadnezzar. They are executing this form of judgment to show that Jehovah rules even in the kingdom of men. "And giveth it to whomsoever he will." God controls even the appointment and selection of rulers in pagan nations. Man does not need to fear the uncertainty of a future which comes by accident. God is in control. Chapter 4:19-27 Then was Daniel...was astonied for one hour." The interpretation of the dream astonished Daniel, because of its fearful meaning and import to Nebuchadnezzar, whom Daniel seemed to love and respect highly. "The dream be to them that hate thee." Daniel recognized that the dream had an undesirable meaning concerning Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel was not anxious to announce judgment upon the king, who had bestowed many blessings upon him. The only individuals who would appreciate the dream would be those who hated the king. Even the greatest king has some enemies. The tree of the dream is the king. The blessings bestowed by the tree represent the blessings of Nebuchadnezzar’s great kingdom. "Even with a band of iron and brass." This refers to the judgment and protection that God will bring upon the king. "They shall drive thee from men." Nebuchadnezzar would be driven from the position that he had occupied among men. There have been many views given as to what type of malady came upon the king. Cedrenus held that he was transformed into a beast being half lion and half ox. Origen and others, who take an allegorical interpretation, state that this is an allegory representing the fall of Satan and his restoration again to the favor of God. This is in accordance with his belief in universal salvation. Others feel that this simply refers to a formidable conspiracy against the king wherein he was dethroned, driven out into exile and lived a miserable life until a later revolution restored him to the throne. Undoubtedly the correct interpretation is that God caused the king to become a maniac. The insanity that came upon the king left him with the conviction that he was a beast. Nebuchadnezzar’s judgment came because of his pride. This particular form of judgment was appropriate because Nebuchadnezzar was humbled to the lowest sphere among men. He was allowed to roam, but some restraint must have been placed upon him. It is possible that he might have spent his days in the royal parks and forests somewhat sheltered from the view of the people. This would account for the lack of any reference to this incident in Babylonian records. The word "grass" used here refers to green herbs; vegetables. The word grass as used in our language does not convey the idea that is meant here. "Thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee." The kingdom would be restored to Nebuchadnezzar when his rationality returned to him. He would realize then, that God rules even in this world. "And break off thy sins by righteousness." Daniel recommends that the king should stop pursuing his wicked course in life and practice those duties of justice and charity toward mankind. If the king does this, maybe God will prolong the time before this judgment comes upon him. Chapter 4:28-33 In these verses we find the fulfillment of this judgment upon Nebuchadnezzar as a result of his manifested pride in verse 30. "A voice from heaven." It was uttered above him and appeared to come from heaven. Since this account is given by the king following his experience of insanity, he is able to state that its source was from heaven or from God. "The same hour was the thing fulfilled." The idea seems to be clear that the judgment came instantly. It came suddenly upon Nebuchadnezzar while he was still speaking. "Till his hairs were grown like eagles feathers." The hair of the king was to grow so long and be so unkempt that they would have the appearance of eagles feathers. "And his nails like bird’s claws." The finger nails and toenails would grow long and have the appearance like the talons of a bird such as the eagle. Chapter 4:34-37 In these verses we see Nebuchadnezzar’s recovery from his insanity and his praise of God and His great power. "And mine understanding returned unto me." This shows that Nebuchadnezzar regarded himself as having been a maniac. The king recognizes the control of God over the entire world. The kingdom is restored to Nebuchadnezzar after his sanity is restored. He warns those who may read this that God is able to humble those who elevate themselves. |