CHAPTER FIVE:
NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S LESSON IN HUMILITY
TEXT:
Daniel 4: 1 – 37
This chapter contains the comments
of king Nebuchadnezzar himself. It is written as a
“diary” of his madness. Several have challenged the validity of this chapter
based on historical objections, a conspicuous absence of its record in other
writings about various conquering kings over Israel/Judah and the seemingly
impossible manner of life for a king so powerful as Nebuchadnezzar living this
way for seven seasons (years.) To all of these objections, I offer the
following retort:
1.
History often
excludes various events, which unfavorably portray an empowered kingdom.
Throughout the bible, such events as controlled solely by the God of Heaven are frequently omitted from the historical writings of uninspired
men; usually based on their inability to explain the event! Students of
Josephus, for example, will find his accounts of such God controlled events as
Herod’s death much embellished. Other historians simply omit such events
entirely. Also to the contrary of the objection, Albert Barnes suggests some
historians DO include the account of the king’s madness, but refrain from
detailing the actuality of his seven year life as a beast. Instead, suggests
Barnes, these historians portray the king as a “maniac who was imprisoned for
his own safety as any respected being whose mental capacities failed in such a
way should receive respected confinement.” The evidence of many historians
alluding to “the madness of the king” seems adequate for acceptance regarding
Barnes’ suggestion.
2.
The so-called
“conspicuous absence” of such records written and contained regarding the
Assyrian, Babylonian, Medeo-Persian, Greek and Roman
kingdoms should not alarm us at all. Kingdoms conquering kingdoms often
destroyed all such records to prove their superiority over the conquered. This
is one reason for Titus’ army destroying all of
3.
As for the
“seemingly impossible manner of life” for the king, is it any more impossible
for God than confining Jonah to a whale’s belly for three days and nights? Is
it any more impossible for God than destroying the entire world with water and
saving only eight souls? Is it any more impossible for God than the saving of
souls from horridly wicked sins if they will repent and obey the gospel? Then,
in view of the truth that “with God, all things are possible,” we accept
without reservation the content of Nebuchadnezzar’s diary of this humbling
lesson of obedience to God!
As we have indicated throughout our study, from
chapter one through chapter four of Daniel expresses a “growing appreciation
and acceptance of God” in the life of Nebuchadnezzar. From
completely idolatrous, to acknowledging the God of Heaven and making decree, “That
every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God
of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses
shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after
this sort” is indeed a statement of wonderful spiritual growth! However,
as is evidenced in this present chapter of study,
Nebuchadnezzar needed one more lesson - one that taught him the value of
HUMILITY. As we examine this chapter in light of the fruit of the Spirit
(Galatians 5:22 – 26), the subject of HUMILTIY will not escape our minds in the
development of our own improvements in this area.
Take careful note of verses one through three: “Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people,
nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth;
Peace be multiplied unto you. I thought it good to shew
the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. How great are
his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his
dominion is from generation to generation.” Obviously, this is a “diary”
of sorts from the king’s own hand. Daniel, being inspired of the Spirit (2 Peter 1:21) included this in his history of
Darius.
We also ponder the long-term conversion of
Nebuchadnezzar: yet, pondering is the best we can do! Certainly, our prayer
would be such a lesson would keep a man from returning to evil. The scriptures
say nothing more of this king’s life than what we study within this chapter.
Let us simply accept the truthfulness of the king’s statement at verse 37 as
his “diary” closes: “Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are
truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to
abase.“
With this introduction, let us go onward in examining
the chapter’s content. The dream was very frightful and alarming to the king.
As he had done in chapter two, Nebuchadnezzar ordered all his wise men into his
presence: the astrologers, magicians, conjurers and all. Note these were of
Chaldean nationality; he had not yet called for Daniel. Perhaps this is one of
the reasons for the dream and its subsequent reality: though Nebuchadnezzar
gave decree that no one was to speak against the God of Shadrach,Meshach and Abednego, he was not yet willing to
speak for Him!
Unable to interpret the dream, Daniel is called to the presence of the king. Note
verses eight, and nine as they indicate the king’s reluctance to accept God (Yeweh) as being supreme: “But at the last Daniel came in
before me, whose name was Belteshazzar,
according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy
gods: and before him I told the dream, saying, O Belteshazzar,
master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is
in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the
visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.”
The vision was as follows:
a.
A
great and high tree in the midst of the earth.
b.
As the tree
grew, it reached the sky and was seen throughout the
world.
c.
Its fruit was
bountiful and fed both man and animal.
d.
As the king
observed this tree and its prosperity, an angel [“a watcher and an holy one” seems more to indicate two descriptions of the
same being, rather than two beings] appears and shouting to him commands, “Cut
down the tree and its branches. Let the beasts and birds flee from it, having
stripped the leaves and the fruit from the branches.”
e.
“Leave the stump
and its roots in the ground. Fence it in with a fence.” [Now changing from the
treatment of the tree to the change of the man, the angel speaks.] “Let him be
drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him share with the beasts of the
field, the new grass.”
f.
“Let his mind be
changed from that a man to that of a beast. Let seven periods pass over him.
[Most scholars relate this to seven years, doing so via the chronology of
Nebuchadnezzar’s full time of reign. It is suggested
Nebuchadnezzar lived only one year after this experience.]
Notice at the conclusion of these
items within the dream, Nebuchadnezzar includes the AUTHORITY of this
declaration: “This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the
demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know
that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth
up over it the basest of men.”
Having declared this to Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar places his trust and confidence
in Daniel to interpret the dream. Note the language of verse eighteen shows
additionally that at this time the
king is not fully convinced of the God of Heaven, but is convinced of Daniel’s
ability and credits it to “the holy gods.”
For an hour Daniel remain “astoned,”
(i.e. “dumbfounded”) and his thoughts troubled him. When the king urged Daniel
to not be troubled, (vs. 19), Daniel replied, “The dream be to thine enemies and those that hate thee.” It is apparent
Daniel respected the king and obviously witnessed the king’s spiritual growth.
Yet, it was not for Daniel to question God’s influence in the king’s life and
the lessons he (the king) yet needed for full convincing that God is God!
Therefore, while Nebuchadnezzar would undoubtedly learn humility through this
process, the king’s subjects would learn as well the omnipotence of God.
Daniel begins the
interpretation. The tree is King Nebuchadnezzar. The benefited from his
greatness, and therefore the king’s dominion was above all men of the earth. As
for the cutting down of the tree, its fencing and “let his portion be
with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him,” this pertained
directly to the king. The next words surely brought no pleasure to Daniel; yet it was God’s truth and Daniel would not negate these
facts. “This is the
interpretation, O king, and this is the
decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: That they shall
drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field,
and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the
dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the
most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. And whereas they
commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto
thee, after that thou shalt have known that the
heavens do rule.” This prophecy led to Daniel’s earnest plea to the king: “Wherefore,
O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by
righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of
thy tranquillity.” Notice the earnest plea for
REPENTANCE, FOR KINDNESS that it may lengthen the king’s “tranquility” meaning
“soundness of mind.” These two requirements cannot arrive via an
unsound mind! Therefore, WHILE TIME AND OPPORTUNITY PRESENTED THEMSELVES –
WHILE THE KING WOULD KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THIS PLEA – Daniel informed the king
of the interpretation and its requirements!
One year later, while
the king walks within his kingdom (undoubtedly within the courtyard of his
palace as well) the king’s arrogance was exhibited. He had not learned the need
to HUMBLE himself in God’s sight – as the dream had warned and as Daniel had plead. Instead, the king boasted of his power and might
saying, “The king spake, and said, Is
not this great
Though a very
humbling lesson for the king (read carefully verses 34 – 36), it is evident
Nebuchadnezzar learned it well! Within these three verses, note each of the
attributes given the God of Heaven! He is indeed convinced! His honor as king
returns and “excellent majesty” was added to him.
Scholars and historians claim Nebuchadnezzar ruled one more year from this
lesson learned, and died. This accuracy I cannot confirm, but most chronologies
agree to this likelihood. As to his continuance in this conversion, speculation
is the best we have – and such is never grants absolute fact! Yes, it would be
our prayer he remained loyal to his decree – else he died hypocritical! But the lesson is more for our application: once we have
learned the omnipotent power of God, and understand our need to humble
ourselves in obedience to Him, do we keep the promise made to God regarding our
loyalty and faithfulness? Note how the decree of Nebuchadnezzar is indeed the
same sentiment as Revelation 2:10 and 14:13:
“Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour
the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment:
and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.”