Renounce Your Sins
Comments for Study 4
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Daniel wrote the first chapter in the Hebrew language. Chapters 2 thru 7 were written in Aramaic, the then common commerce language used throughout the Gentile nations. Chapters 8 thru 12 are written in Hebrew. Daniel was deliberate in writing in these two languages. The Hebrew chapters are about Israel's future (not just Judah), future from Daniel's point of view. The Aramaic chapters are about the Gentiles' future from Daniel's point of view. Jesus called it the time of the Gentiles. (Luke 21:24) Most of the events predicted in this book are history to us. The godless kingdoms referred to are the Gentile nations, and the kingdom of God are those who will partake in the millennial reign of Jesus (Yeshua) Christ (Messiah) centered about Jerusalem and Israel. Many of Jesus' parables explain about the kingdom of God.
I. Complacent King Nebuchadnezzar (1-18)
>1. To whom did King Nebuchadnezzar address this testimony? (1)
* Daniel 4:1 "'King Nebuchadnezzar, To the peoples, nations and men of every language, who live in all the world: May you prosper greatly!'"
* King Nebuchadnezzar is recalling what took place a year earlier in either his 34th or 35th year of reigning Babylon. So the recording took place in either the 35th or 36th year of his reign. His reign stated in 605 B.C. when his father died just after his battle with Egypt at the Battle of Carchemish. Babylon was concurred by Cyrus in 539 B.C.
* God wrote this book through Daniel. Daniel added Nebuchadnezzar's letter and commented on it. Daniel wrote verses 28-33.
* This chapter is written in the first person, though it happened in the past.
* "To the peoples, nations and men of every language, who live in all the world" -The Babylonian empire was the largest nation the world had seen up till this time. It included many nations. Yet, even the Babylonians knew that there were countries beyond their borders. The Babylonian system of delivering messages was very impressive for the time. Without such a system of fast letter delivery the nation would not be able to control the subjected nations. Nebuchadnezzar could have multiple copies made and sent throughout Babylon. Whether or not he expected the letters to go beyond Babylon is not known, but probable.
* "May you prosper greatly!" -An internationally used greeting in letters of the time.
* The year is approximately 570 BC. Nebuchadnezzar was full of pride. He believed in his mighty power to build. He was content in the glory of his majesty. He did not accept what he had heard from Jeremiah, that the Lord God made his success possible.
God appointed Daniel to minister to proud Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel's ministry was not easy because Nebuchadnezzar had been proven to rule in absolute dictatorship power.
Daniel was perplexed and terrified when God revealed the meaning to Nebuchadnezzar's dream. God was about to strip Nebuchadnezzar of his power, dignity, sanity, wealth, and companionship. I don't believe that Daniel's response was solely out of fear for his life. Nor was he soley concerned about what would transpire to make the power vacuum last for 7 years. Daniel seemed to have concern and respect for Nebuchadnezzar's well being.
God has placed me where I am for His purpose and reasons. These include ministry to others; my acquaintances, my coworkers, my boss, my classmates, my family, my friends, those that go to my church, my neighbors, and subordinates. A favorite saying of my mother was, "You can choose your friends, but you cannot choose your family." God shows me here that I also cannot choose those he sends my way to minister and disciple. Jesus said that the path to the kingdom of God is narrow and traversed by few.
>What was the main point of what he wanted to say?
* Daniel 4:37 "'Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.'"
* "praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven" -Nebuchadnezzar wanted to praise God and bless the people in the name of God. Nebuchadnezzar wanted to be a blessing. He wanted all to know his repentance and acceptance of the God of heaven. Nebuchadnezzar, with this letter was legitimatising the God of the Jews.
* "King of Heaven" -The original Aramaic is "Melek Shemayin". The book of Daniel uses the terms "God in heaven", "God of heaven", "King of heaven", and "Lord of heaven". Of the twenty-two (22) Old Testament occurrences of the phrases "God in heaven" and "God of heaven", seventeen (17) occur in Ezra, Nehemiah, and Daniel; all exile and post exile times. Some speculate that the exiles started using this phrase when referring to the Lord because a similar Aramaic term in large use by the Gentiles was "Lord (Baal or Bel in Aramaic) of heaven". Like modern missionaries and Bible translators God's people have to decide how to refer to God in native ways that they understand. For example, there was much thought and controversy when it was decided to use Allah in the modern Aramaic translation of the Bible in place of the Hebrew and Greek words for God.
* "those who walk in pride he is able to humble" -He told people that God humbled him. In this way he was telling all how he was wrong.
>What had he learned about God from his experience? (2-3)
* Daniel 4:2-3 "'It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.'"
* "the Most High God" -The original Aramaic is "illay elah".
* "His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation" -God's kingdom is an eternal kingdom is something that God had revealed to Nebuchadnezzar in a dream at the beginning of his reign. The rock that was cut out of a mountain by not by human hands, and that rock growing because it is living, and that rock crushing the oppressive goverments of man represents the kingdom of God. (Daniel 2:34-35, 44-45) Yet, at the time Nebuchadnezzar did not accept it. Instead he made a statue similar to the dream he had.
* God is sovereign ruler, no matter who is the leader of the land, and which country is in power.
* In a way Nebuchadnezzar was a spiritual son of Daniel. Daniel must have prayed for him to repent of his pride. If indeed Daniel prayed this way God answered that prayer. No one is raised up without prayer of someone. No one is changed without the prayer of someone.
* The kingdom of God is described and defined in the manuscript "The Believer's Future - Hope that Inspires" found on this site.
>2. Before the events which he describes in this chapter occurred, what was King Nebuchadnezzar's life like?
* Daniel 4:4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous."
* Nebuchadnezzar had conquered many nations and his many building projects were now completed. He experienced riches and greatness. He had power over everyone and everything in his kingdom, subjected nations had stopped rebelling his authority.
* Nebuchadnezzar was violent, ruthless, and demanding. He often said, "Cut them to pieces." Inside he was insecure and fearful. He quickly and violently dealt with anyone who threatened his authority and power.
* He didn't acknowledge God from the heart even though the LORD revealed himself to him through dreams and Daniel and his friends. He had no fear of God.
* The picture on the left is an arial view of the reconstructed Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar II palace. The picture on the right is Nebuchadnezzar II palace ruins.
>What was his attitude toward his life and his accomplishments? (29-30)
* Daniel 4:29-30 "Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, 'Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?'"
* Nebuchadnezzar thought he did it all his way, everything in his life was his work. He was proud and content with himself and his life. He was complacent. He was a man of accomplishment. A man without God turns this way in different degrees, but it is always true.
* People must recognize that God places them in the right places at the right time and it is he who makes things happen. Anyone who thinks they are a person of their own destiny is delusional and sinful.
* The painting is an artist concept of the inside of Nebuchadnezzar II palace.
>3. What are the inherent spiritual dangers of a contented, prosperous, and complacent life? (2 Samuel 11:1-2; and 1 Kings 11:37-38, 12:26-29, 13:33-34, 15:34)
* 2 Samuel 11:1-2 "In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful,"
* 1 Kings 11:37-38 "However, as for you, I will take you, and you will rule over all that your heart desires; you will be king over Israel. If you do whatever I command you and walk in my ways and do what is right in my eyes by keeping my statutes and commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you."
* 1 Kings 12:26-29 "Jeroboam thought to himself, 'The kingdom will now likely revert to the house of David. If these people go up to offer sacrifices at the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, they will again give their allegiance to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah. They will kill me and return to King Rehoboam.' After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, 'It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.' One he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan."
* 1 Kings 13:33-34 "Even after this, Jeroboam did not change his evil ways, but once more appointed priests for the high places from all sorts of people. Anyone who wanted to become a priest he consecrated for the high places. This was the sin of the house of Jeroboam that led to its downfall and to its destruction from the face of the earth.
* 1 Kings 15:34 "He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, walking in the ways of Jeroboam and in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit."
* We need to be careful or we will become like David who sinned with Bathsheba and killed her husband. Or we could become like Jeroboam who thought the kingdom was his instead of the fact that God entrusted it to him. (1 Kings 11:37-38) He thought he would do things his way instead of God's way. He feared losing control of the people more than losing his relationship with God. (1 Kings 12:26-29) He didn't recognize that God gave him the kingdom, so he tried to hold onto it by any means. He didn't give it back to God in trust. So in his life he is known to do evil in the sight of God. (1 Kings 13:33-34, 15:34) His descendants followed in his evil ways.
* The inherent spiritual dangers of a contented, prosperous, and complacent life is pride and laziness. We become weak to temptations. The devil, our enemy seeks the weak to devour them. (1 Peter 5:8; James 4:7)
* It is hard to build, but easy to destroy.
* If we become proud we crush others with our ego.
* The proud are to proud to recognize that they are proud. The humble constantly remind themselves and others of their weaknesses.
* Do all for the glory of God and he will bless.
* See picture of a canal in Babylon to the right. There still exist a few narrow canals, overhung with trees, as a modest relic of what was once an elaborate system of irrigation, "the rivers of Babylon". (The Bible as History in Pictures, Werner Keller)
>Think about God who opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6; and 1 Peter 1:24; and 1 Kings 21:1-3, 4-16, 25-29)
* James 4:6 "But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" The quote taken from Prov. 3:34.
* 1 Peter 1:24 "For, 'All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,'"
* 1 Kings 21:1-3 "Some time later there was an incident involving a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. The vineyard was in Jezreel, close to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. Ahab said to Naboth, 'Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth.' But Naboth replied, 'The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.'"
* 1 Kings 21:4-16 "So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, 'I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.' He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat. His wife Jezebel came in and asked him, 'Why are you so sullen? Why won't you eat?' He answered her, 'Because I said to Naboth the Jezreelite, 'Sell me your vineyard; or if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard in its place.' But he said, 'I will not give you my vineyard.'' Jezebel his wife said, 'Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I'll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.' So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth's city with him. In those letters she wrote: 'Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death.' So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth's city did as Jezebel directed in the letters she had written to them. They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth in a prominent place among the people. Then two scoundrels came and sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth before the people, saying, 'Naboth has cursed both God and the king.' So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. Then they sent word to Jezebel: 'Naboth has been stoned and is dead.' As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, 'Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead.' When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of Naboth's vineyard."
* 1 Kings 21:25-29 "(There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife. He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols, like the Amorites the Lord drove out before Israel.) When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly. Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: 'Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.'"
* God opposes the proud so that they may realize their true position, be humbled, and repent. If we humble ourselves then God shows us mercy. God can use anyone if we humble ourselves. God teaches this again and again and again.
* God wants us to recognize his sovereign rule and want us to exalt him. This can only be done if we are humble.
* John 3:21 "But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
>4. What terrifying experience did King Nebuchadnezzar have? (5)
* Daniel 4:5 "I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in my bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me."
* "made me afraid... terrified me" -He knew the dream was about him in his conscience.
* Those who believe in Jesus and have the Holy Spirit to guide them can recognize pride in themselves (when we are preoccupied with ourself and think we are humble). God helps us verbalize our sins and weakness and his grace in our life.
* How can a person be humble? We can be humble if we have the conscience of God, his powers, and his wonders; think of others needs; and have a proper opinion of ourself before God.
* It is easy for anyone, even those who confess Jesus' name, to fall into pride, especially self-righteous pride.
* If we see how God has blessed another we often in jealously accuse them of being proud, when in fact they are blessed and we are just jealous.
>Whose help did he first seek?
* Daniel 4:5-7 "So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me."
* "all the wise men of Babylon" -The wise men of Babylon include those listed in Daniel 2:2. As in that incident they again prove useless to him.
* Daniel was not the first one called in.
>Why did he finally seek Daniel's help?
* Daniel 4:8-10 "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.) 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. 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.'"
* Daniel 4:18 "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."
* "Finally, Daniel came into my presence" -None of the wise men could interpret it or they were afraid to tell him the meaning of the dream. It appears Daniel was not called in separate after the fact, but just that perhaps he did not arrive as fast as others.
* "chief of the magicians" -A title and position Nebuchadnezzar gave Daniel as recorded in chapter 2.
>5. What were the contents of his terrifying dream? (10-17)
* Daniel 4:10-17 "These are the visions I saw while lying in my bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous. The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, and the birds of the air lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed. 'In the visions I saw while lying in my bed, I looked, and there before me was a messenger, a holy one, coming down from heaven. 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. 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. Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times pass by for him. ''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 the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men.'"
* "trees" -Trees being used to depict people and nations is common in the Bible. In one of Nebuchadnezzar's building inscriptions, Babylon is compared to a spreading tree.
* "touched the sky" -Mesopotamian temple-towers are often described this way. (Genesis 11:4)
* "messenger" -An angel is here and in verses 17 and 23.
>According to Nebuchadnezzar's dream itself, what was the main thing God wanted to teach the king? (17)
* Daniel 4:17 "''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 the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men.'"
* God is in control of his life.
* We need to accept this in day to day life. It will solve a lot of problems.
* "lowliest of men" -Most people in leadership are not the most capable, knowledgeable, and wisest. The leader that recognize this in faith will show greatness by surrounding himself with people greater than themselves in various fields of expertise. The difference between a poor leader and a great leader is being humble enough and strong enough in faith to appoint capable people to rule with them.
II. Renounce Your Sins (19-27)
>6. What was Daniel's first reaction when he heard the dream? Why do you think he was so perplexed and even terrified? (19)
* Daniel 4:19a "Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified him."
* "perplexed" -Daniel didn't understand and didn't know what to do because he was caught between what should be done and what he would like to do.
* "terrified" -Daniel was full of fear of what the king would do to him. Most people do not react well to truth about themselves when it involves negative things. One of the struggles of a good pastor and mentor is to reveal things about those under their care that are true and yet unpleasant. Often we have to be hurt to be healed. Getting rid of the cancer of sin involves cutting. Jesus said, "If your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away." (Matthew 5:29, 18:9; Mark 9:47)
* Daniel had to break the news to the king who was cruel and had little respect for human life, that he and his kingdom would fall.
* Daniel knew that Nebuchadnezzar, one who was put under his spiritual care, would be harmed for seven years.
* Daniel knew that it would affect all the people.
>7. How did Daniel try to be tactful?
* Daniel 4:19b-22 "Belteshazzar answered, 'My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the beasts of the field, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds of the air-- you, O king, are that tree! You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth."
* Tact with sincerity. Tact not for selfish gain.
* Matthew 10:16 "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."
>What did he tell the king clearly and directly?
* Daniel 4:23 "'You, O king, saw a messenger, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, 'Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live like the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.'"
* Daniel is almost quoting from Eze. 31:3-5.
* Daniel was a man of wisdom and tact, but also a man of truth, a man of God.
>According to the dream, who was the tree, what did it symbolize and what would happen to it?
* The tree was King Nebuchadnezzar. It symbolised his kingdom being taken away. It would be cut down though was big and prosperous.
>8. What would happen to the king? (24-25)
* Daniel 4:24-25 "'This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes."
* Howard Hughes because like this.
* The illness referred to, known as lycanthropy, is well attested in pre-scientific times, but is not referred to today under that name. Dr. M.G. Barker, a consultant psychiatrist, writes: 'As far as Nebuchadnezzar's illness is concerned, the features are of a fairly acute onset of insanity, with the apparent delusional idea that he was an animal. The length of time that he was unwell is not clear, but he also seems to have had a spontaneous remission and returned to sanity and changed his way of life and outlook subsequently. This kind of history is much more typical of a depressive illness with relatively acute onset, delusional beliefs of a morbid nature and, in the days before drugs and E.C.T., most such illnesses had a spontaneous remission within a period of one, two and occasionally, more years. The person who recovered would recover complete insight, as did Nebuchadnezzar, apparently.' Dr. Barker goes on to cite two patients in his own clinical experience whose illness took the form of thinking they were changing into animals and who responded to treatment. 'The reason why this particular manifestation of depression is so rate is because of the increased sophistication of people since the seventeenth century and this bizarre way of the mind acting out its guilt and feelings is no longer necessary, as people will accept depression and distress more readily.' (Tyndale Old testament Commentaries, Joyce G. Baldwin)
* The copper engraving with pen and ink and water color to the right by William Blake in 1795 is in public domain.
>How long would the king live like an animal?
* Seven years. (23)
>What could relieve the animal-man's distress?
* Daniel 4:25-26 "You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes. The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules."
* "The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules." -When God's training is over and completed Nebuchadnezzar will repent. The training would in the end be good for him.
* Recovering from God's training would not be easy.
* God's training will work because he will be even more fruitful.
>What did God want the king to do?
* Acknowledge that Heaven (God) rules.
>9. What counsel did Daniel give the king?
* Daniel 4:27 "'Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.'"
* "renounce" -Renounce means give up, forsake one's self, repent, and to disown sin.
* Daniel did not use the word forgive.
* "do what is right" -Repenting is accepting we've gone the wrong way, turn around, and go the right way.
* We should have a positive attitude in serving God, even when he corrects and rebukes us.
* "be kind to the oppressed" -Nebuchadnezzar's main sin that was caused by his pride.
>What does it reveal about King Nebuchadnezzar's reign?
* It was given by God. It was temporary. God could take it away if he did not repent.
>What does it reveal about God's servant Daniel?
* Daniel feared God more than the powerful king Nebuchadnezzar.
* He spoke truth but gave direction and advice.
* He planted hope.
* Daniel loved the king. He had a desire for the king to repent before the bad things would happen.
* Daniel's ministry to Nebuchadnezzar was:
1) tact,
2) truth,
3) direction,
4) hope.
III. King Nebuchadnezzar Receives Training (28-37)
>10. At what point in the king's life did the dream come true? (28-32)
* Daniel 4:28-32 "All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, 'Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?' The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, 'This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes.'"
* "Twelve months later" -God gave Nebuchadnezzar a chance to repent. Just because judgment is delayed doesn't mean that it won't happen. How might Daniel have been treated as one month went by after another and nothing happened?
* "by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty" -Once again the king did not take God's word spoken through Daniel to his heart.
>Describe the animal-man king. What does this reveal about fallen men?
* Daniel 4:33 "Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like cattle. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird."
* Without God we are like the animals.
>When was the king's mental illness cured? (34)
* Daniel 4:34-35 "'At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?"'"
* The exact timing is not revealed. Ancient Babylonian chronicles do not reveal anything about the later reign of Nebuchadnezzar. However, there is a document called, "The Prayer of Nabonidus" that could refer to the same event.
>What did he learn?
* Daniel 4:36-37 "At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble."
* The king learned to acknowledge that God is in control of his life, that God's kingdom is forever, and to honor, glorify, praise, and thank God for what he has given.
>What can we learn about God?
* He is patient.
* He has hope in every one.
* He can work in anyone's life.
* God raises and works with whomever he pleases.
* God wants his people to be humble and acknowledge his work.
* The proud become animal-people.
* The first fruit of training is to recognize God's rule.
* Repentance and acknowledgement will make us even more prosperous than before.
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