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Today we begin our study of Dan 4, the story of the Great Tree. It is the story of Neb’s conversion and how God humbles the proud. It is worth starting today with a brief discussion of pride.
Pride is the antithesis of God. it damned Satan and his angels and has brought about the destruction of men throughout history. Pride is anti-God because it violates God’s command to have no other gods before Him. God is to be first. God alone is to be worshipped. God alone is to be praised . He is the supreme sovereign, and we are but his creation. Pride is to assert that man or an angel is to take God’s place. Pride puts self above God—that is the essence of pride.
Is 42:8 says: “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. God will not yield his position to anyone, and this is why pride is anathema to God for pride usurps God’s position. This was Satan’s sin: Is 14:12-14, How you have fallen from heaven, O [g]star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened the nations! 13 “But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north. 14 ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High. (NASB)
Here are some other scriptures for how God views pride:
Pr 6:16-17, There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:haughty eyes.
Pr 8:13, The fear of the Lord is to hate evil, pride, and arrogance.
Pr 11:2, When pride comes, then comes shame.
Pr 16:5, The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
Pr 16:18, Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pr 21:4, Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.
Pr 29:23, Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.
Just from the book of Proverbs we see pride is a serious sin, but many would argue it is the most serious sin for pride displaces God’s rightful position in life. James 4:6 sums it up: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
James 4:6 is the context and lesson of Daniel chapter 4. When you are proud, God will fight against you, and when you are humble God will fight for you.
The theme of the chapter is found in verse 17: so that everyone may know that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world. This theme is reiterated in verse 25: Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes, and again in verse 32: You will be driven from human society. You will live in the fields with the wild animals, and you will eat grass like a cow. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses.
So, chapter 4 is the story of a proud man, Neb, the great Monarch of the first empire described by Daniel in his sweeping view of the Times of the Gentiles mentioned in chapter 2. A man who was the supreme ruler of the known world. A man who was sovereign, and swayed by his power and status, became proud: so much so he built an idol to himself in chapter 3. It is a story of how he is brought low by the Most High and sovereign God of the universe , to teach him God’s rightful place in his life.
But it is also a story of God’s grace, redemption, and patience, for God resists Neb in his pride but gives grace to him in his humility.
So, chapter 4 is a story about Neb. But it can also be viewed as a story for any ruler or man in power, who loses site of himself or herself, becomes proud and is humbled. Lastly it is a story for us. Thugh we are not in charge of an empire, or large company, we can create our own little kingdoms or empire, and like Neb sit atop it and gaze out over what we think we have created and claim the glory of it for ourselves.
The chapter is also the climax of the spiritual biography of Neb. His spiritual journey starts in Chap 1 when the Lord allows Daniel and his three friends to be vetted and chosen for service in his administration. They refuse his food and drink, and as he confronts and questions them, he finds them far better than any of the other captives and they far exceed anyone else in his kingdom in terms of intelligence, wisdom, integrity, and gifts –for Daniel has been given the ability to discern dreams and visions. So, Neb develops an affinity for them.
Then in chapter 2, Neb has an incredible problem. He has a disturbing dream that no one in his employ can either tell him what it is or what it means. But God knows and uses Daniel to reveal both the dream and the interpretation to the king. Daniel is rewarded and becomes the ruler over the province and as such a trusted advisor.
Then in chap 3, though Daniel is absent, Neb constructs an idol which Daniels friends, SMA, refuse to worship. And so, they are thrown into the fiery furnace, and we saw last week God deliver them from Neb’s hand.
So, Neb sees the God of Daniel, M,S, and A, the God of Israel, the Most High God, work in the most wondrous of ways in all three of the previous chapters. And now we come to Chapter 4, the spiritual climax of Neb’s life. Some have entitled this chapter the spiritual conversion of Neb. I do have sympathy for that title, for as we read the text, I believe and hope to show you, that Neb comes to saving faith.
Now lastly before we start, turn with me to Job 33:14-18,
For God does speak—now one way, now another—though no one perceives it. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber in their beds, 16 he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings, 17 to turn them from wrongdoing and keep them from pride, 18 to preserve them from the pit, their lives from perishing by the sword.
The chapter may be divided into the follow sections:
- The King’s Proclamation, vs 1-3.
- The Failure of the Wise Men, vs 4-7.
- Daniel is summoned, vs 8-9.
- The Dream, vs 10-18.
- The Interpretation, vs 19-27.
- The Dream’s Fulfillment, vs 28-36.
The King’s Proclamation, vs 1-3.
King Nebuchadnezzar, To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth: May you prosper greatly! 2 It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. 3 How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.
Vs 1: King Nebuchadnezzar, To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth: May you prosper greatly!
Dan 4 opens with a proclamation. It is addressed to all within his kingdom. The phrase, may you prosper greatly, was a common greeting among functionaries. Note these verses are in the first person and you may wonder, who wrote this chapter? It is best seen as Neb giving his testimony and Daniel is writing it down under the inspiration of the HS. Note is given to “all the earth.” As Neb perceived it, He was the sovereign of the whole earth.
Vs 2 : It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.
The purpose for this proclamation is given in verse two. Neb wanted to tell his peoples about the “miraculous signs and wonders” he had experienced with the God of Israel. From our first look at Daniel, we know the chronology of the book is organized as follows: Chapters 1,2,3,4,7,8,5,9,6,10-12. From Neb’s point of view, the “signs and wonders” up to this point would be Daniel’s declaration and interpretation of his dream and the deliverance of SMA. But the signs and wonders he wants to share is what is to follow in this chapter –it is Neb’s declaration of what God did in his life which we shall soon see.
Vs 3: How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.
In verse three, three things are noted of God:
- How great are his signs and wonders. This phrase is the same used in Ex 7:3 and Deut 6:22 referring to the plagues in Egypt and is now applied to Babylon.
- His Kingdom is eternal. This contrasts with Gentile kingdoms which come and go.
- His dominion endures from generation to generation. Dominion means extent of rule. In other words, the God’s extent of rule endures through time. Ps 145:13, Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.
When we read the whole chapter and find out what happens to Neb you can imagine these first three verses to be his conclusion. But Neb puts what he learns from the events of chapter 4 first.
The Failure of the Wise Men verses 4-7.
I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. 5 I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. 6 So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. 7 When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers[b] and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me.
Vs 4: I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous.
Note the two descriptors of the time—he was content –at peace, and prosperous –the literal word there is “greening” like a plant coming into fruition. Because of this, some have speculated the events of chapter 4 occurred after the conquest of Jerusalem in 586 when his conquests were completed, but there is no definitive record as to when the dream of chapter four occurred. However, the consensus is episode occurred later in his rule, which if true, would be 25-30 years after the events of chapter 3. The point to be taken here is that times of peace and prosperity in our lives can be dangerous from a spiritual perspective as the temptation is to forget where peace and prosperity came from. When things are going well, the temptation can be two-fold: either to take credit for it, or to forget the God who gave it to you.
Vs 5: I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me.
In verse 5 Neb again has a disturbing dream. Note this time around the dream causes fear and terror whereas in chapter 2 the dream caused “trouble” and insomnia.
Vs 6: So, I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me.
Neb now again summons his wise men counsel him. Note this time he only asks for the interpretation of the dream and not for the dream and the interpretation.
Vs 7: When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers[b] and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me.
We note in verse 7 his wise men are unable to interpret the dream (just as they were unable in chapter 2).
Daniel is summoned, vs 8-9.
Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)9 I said, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me.
In verse 8 and 9 Daniel comes before the king. Note Daniel’s timing. He knows the other wise men are unable to interpret the dream and as they are now flummoxed, and Neb is beginning to get agitated, Daniel comes in. Neb then tells him the dream. Since Neb is making his testimony here before his fellow Babylonians, he wants them to know who Daniel is. So, Neb gives his Babylonian given name, Belteshazzer, after the name of Neb’s god, yet tells his countrymen—this is the man in whom the spirit of the holy gods resides. Note Neb calls him chief of the magicians. In its widest interpretation the word, magicians, incorporates the idea of scholar. Neb recognizes Daniel’s gifts. Danile is smart, discerning, erudite, and can interpret dreams. So, Neb appeals to Daniel for an interpretation of his dream.
The Dream, vs 10-18.
These are the visions I saw while lying in bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous. 11 The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. 12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed. 13 “In the visions I saw while lying in bed, I looked, and there before me was a holy one, a messenger,[c] coming down from heaven. 14 He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches. 15 But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field. “‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times[d] pass by for him. 17 “‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’ 18 “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
The verses above can be further divided as follows:
- The Dream itself, vs 10-12.
- The Decree against the tree, vs 13-16.
- The purpose of the Decree, vs 17.
- The second plea for the interpretation, vs 18.
The Dream itself, vs 10-12.
Vs 10: These are the visions I saw while lying in bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous.
In verse 10, Neb begins to relate his vision to Daniel. Neb sees an enormous tree. In the ancient world trees were uses a reference to some kingdom. In Ez 17:22 the passage refers to Pharoah as a tree. In Ez 33:3 we see Assyria referred to as a tree. Here we see Babylon referred to as a tree.
Vs 11-12: The tree grew large and strong, and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. 12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed.
Here we see both a description of the tree and its provision. The tree itself is enormously tall allowing it to be seen to the “ends of the earth.” It produces abundant fruit; enough to feed every creature and provide shelter for birds and wild animals.
The Decree against the tree, vs 13-16.
In the visions I saw while lying in bed, I looked, and there before me was a holy one, a messenger,[c] coming down from heaven. 14 He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches. 15 But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field. “‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times[d] pass by for him.
Vs 13: In the visions I saw while lying in bed, I looked, and there before me was a holy one, a messenger,[c] coming down from heaven.
The dream now takes a sinister turn. Neb sees a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven. The phrase holy one and coming down from heaven, tells us this was a divine being. The word “messenger” is also translated watcher and means wakeful one. It means this being was to ensure God’s command was fulfilled. This is an angel sent from God to ensure the command he will give in the next verses will be fulfilled.
Vs 14: He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches.
In verse 14, the angel decrees the tree should be cut down. Its branches were to be cut off, the leaves stripped, and the fruit scattered. As a result, the animals and birds who had sought the tree for shelter and refuge would have to flee.
Vs 15a: But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field.
Here we see the stump and roots are preserved and the stump should be bound with iron and bronze. This means a divine fence was built around the stump. And the stump will be left in the grass of the field.
Vs 15b -16: Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times[d] pass by for him
In these verses we see a personification of the tree take place and a three-fold judgement:
- The tree/man is to be drenched with the dew of heaven.
- He is to live with animals and plants.
- His mind was to be changed from that of a man to the mind of an animal. Some translations have heart. The key point to note is his will, cognition, thinking, will be that of an animal.
All these things were to occur for a period of seven times. The word times is interpreted as a year (see Dan 7:25).
The Purpose of the Decree, vs 17.
Vs 17: The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.
Verse 17 tells us the decision was made by an assembly of the messengers as the “holy ones declare the verdict”. This is an interesting insight as the angels made the decree. Its purpose is given in the next phrase: so that the living may know the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. Whenever the title of Most High is used of God it emphasizes that he possesses heaven and earth. Gen 14:18-20 is a good example: And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of [s]God Most High. 19 He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of [t]God Most High, [u]Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 And blessed be [v]God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.
As possessor of Heaven and Earth, God can and does decide who gets to rule over the nations. God gives the power to rule to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people. The lowliest of peoples is translated by the KJV as the basest of men. Literally it means low of station and implies someone who is socially and economically down and out: think Gideon or David. But this act of sovereignty is also true today: God oversees who rules the nations and gives positions of leadership to anyone he chooses to accomplish His purposes.
The second plea for an interpretation, vs 18.
Vs 18: This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”Neb now seeks Daniel’s counsel as he obviously had sought the counsel of his wise men, but none could interpret his dream. Neb is confident Daniel can elucidate the meaning of the dream as he did in chapter 2, for Neb knows the spirit of the holy gods is in you. This is the 3rd time he has said this—see vs 8 and 9. Note again Neb does not yet acknowledge the God of Israel, rather he is noting that Daniels god gave him insight and will do so again.
