Courage ~ Bob Caldwell

Real Courage Daniel 4:37 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. Nebuchadnezzar's amazing declaration of faith in the God of the Jews is one of the great turning points in human history for both Jews and Gentiles. The single most powerful man in the known world had been so transformed in his thinking about who God is that he felt morally compelled to proclaim it to all people. So profound is this change of heart in his life that he openly admits the shameful judgment he suffered from God. The result of this judgment not only humbled him before God but in his own eyes as well. He admits that he lost his mind and lived as an animal (4:28-33). He was so humbled by this event that when God brought him back to his senses he immediately submitted himself to God. He boldly proclaims to the known world that his kingdom is nothing compared to God's everlasting Kingdom. Furthermore, he says that God's sovereign authority is able to do anything, and nothing—not even the great Nebuchadnezzar—can override what God wills to do (4:34-35). Added to this is his acknowledgment that God alone is true and just in everything He is and does. Such a public statement of humility in a time when kings were themselves worshipped as gods is amazing. But we must not forget how this happened. It was a courageous stand for God and His truth by Daniel and his three friends that made this all possible. It was Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego who boldly proved God's greatness in their stand against the king's command to worship a golden idol. God miraculously delivered these men from sure death when they were thrown into a blazing fiery furnace (3:8-25). The result was that Nebuchadnezzar praised God, the One who is worthy to receive all praise and glory (3:28-29). This was followed by Daniel's faithful interpretation of the king's second dream, even though it foretold judgment upon the king and his pride (4:20-25). Making a negative statement such as this to the king often resulted in death (Neh. 2:2). But Daniel not only spoke the truth about the dream's meaning, but he then told the king how he must change his life, forsake his sins, and treat the poor with mercy. This took great courage. Yet Daniel and his three friends had such courage because they lived ultimately to please one person and one person alone: the true and living God. There is no other way to turn the tide of unbelief and rebellion against God unless someone takes a stand, even if alone, in their faith in God – a stand that places us in a real-life situation that gives God a platform to reveal Himself in His divine affirmation and blessing upon those who remain faithful to Him regardless the cost. These men stood for God alone. By doing so, they opened the way for the glory of God to be proclaimed to countless millions.
Daniel 3:1-4:37 The Image of Gold 1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. 2 And King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to gather together the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 3 So the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered together for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 Then a herald cried aloud: "To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, 5 that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; 6 and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace." 7 So at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, and lyre, in symphony with all kinds of music, all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Daniel's Friends Disobey the King 8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jews. 9 They spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever! 10 You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the gold image; 11 and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 12 There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up." 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?" 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." Saved in Fiery Trial 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 22 Therefore, because the king's command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, "Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?" They answered and said to the king, "True, O king." 25 "Look!" he answered, "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." Nebuchadnezzar Praises God 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here." Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire. 27 And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king's counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them. 28 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God! 29 Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this." 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon. Daniel 4 Nebuchadnezzar's Second Dream 1 Nebuchadnezzar the king, To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. 2 I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me. 3 How great are His signs, And how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And His dominion is from generation to generation. 4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace. 5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. 6 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. 7 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. 8 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: 9 "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. 10 "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. 11 The tree grew and became strong; Its height reached to the heavens, And it could be seen to the ends of all the earth. 12 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. 13 "I saw in the visions of my head while on my bed, and there was a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven. 14 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. 15 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. 16 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. 17 ‘ 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.' 18 "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 Explains the Second Dream 19 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." Belteshazzar answered and said, "My lord, may the dream concern those who hate you, and its interpretation concern your enemies! 20 "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, 21 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— 22 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. 23 "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, 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'; 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king: 25 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, 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. 26 "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. 27 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." Nebuchadnezzar's Humiliation 28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. 30 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?" 31 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! 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; 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." 33 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. Nebuchadnezzar Praises God 34 And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; 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. 35 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?" 36 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. 37 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 3:1-4:37 v. 1 Image of gold – This is an idol, built by the king to be worshipped. We are unsure of what the image actually represented, but some think it to be an image of a god, others think it an image of the king himself, and still others think it to be a representation of the statue from his dream in chapter 2. Sixty cubits – This is a height of about 90 feet. Six cubits – This is an equivalent of about nine feet in width. Dura – The exact location of this plain is uncertain, as the words Dura or Dur are used of many different towns, cities, and localities in ancient Babylon. v. 2 Satraps – These were provincial governors that had ready access to the king. Governors – This term is used of rulers over smaller regions and municipalities. Magistrates – These were low-level judges. All officials – The previous list is of offices within the Babylonian government, and although some of the offices mentioned are well understood, some are unknown by scholars. It does, however, seem that the list is given in hierarchical order, with the most powerful members at the top and the least at the bottom. This is given to inform us that everybody holding a position of governmental authority was supposed to come to this feast of dedication. Dedication – a feast involving the offering of sacrifices and prayers before the image in its honor v. 4 Herald – This was somebody that traveled throughout the crowds shouting news and information to the public. v. 5 Lyre and psaltery – stringed instruments commonly used in antiquity Symphony – All of these instruments would be played simultaneously in some kind of harmonious pattern. Loud music was commonly used to give directions to large groups of people in ancient times. v. 6 Furnace – A furnace was commonly used for baking pottery, bricks, or for melting metals used in construction projects. These were usually enclosed ovens into which the object would be placed, melted, and cast. v. 7 Peoples, nations, languages – The Babylonians ruled over a vast empire that had conquered peoples from many different lands that spoke many different languages. Many of these people would be placed into positions of leadership in order to help the Babylonians keep peace and order in the empire. v. 9 Oh King, live forever – A phrase commonly used in the ancient Middle East as a greeting to the king. It was a statement of honor or respect. v. 12 Province of Babylon – This refers to the chief province of the Empire, the one in which the capital city of Babylon resided. These Jewish men were placed in positions of authority in this chief of the provinces. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego – These were the Chaldean names given to Daniel's three friends. Their given Hebrew names were Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Daniel, for some reason, is not mentioned. He may have been away on business at this time. Due regard to you – Their refusal to worship the image was considered an affront to the king himself. Since he gave the command, it was considered rebellion against the king and treason against the kingdom. v. 15 Who is the god…? – Nebuchadnezzar means this as an insult upon their culture and their God. He understands that the Jews trust in their God to save them, and he wants them to understand that not even their God can save them from him. Essentially, he is making himself greater than the Jewish God. v. 16 We have no need to answer – This would have been taken by the king as an insult to his honor and authority. These men are essentially saying that they are not, ultimately, under his authority, but under God's and do not need to defend themselves for being obedient to His law. This would have fueled the fire of his anger. v. 17 That – This is referring to the issue of authority. Here they are continuing their thought from the previous verse, pointing out that they are under the authority of their God, and, not, ultimately, of the king. All of this is in response to his statement that no god can save them. v. 18 If not – This is in contrast to the words "He will deliver us" given in verse 17. They are here saying that they are fully willing to die if, for some reason, God so chooses to allow it. v. 19 Seven times more – Blasts of air from bellows were typically used to increase the heat of a furnace. Seven times was probably a hyperbolic statement (an exaggeration meant to produce an effect in the ears of the hearer) and meant to imply that the furnace was very hot, much hotter than normal. Depending on what the furnace was used for, the normal temperature would have been somewhere between 900 and 1100 degrees centigrade. What is now known of the technology of the day would only allow them to heat to about 1,500 degrees. v. 20 Mighty men of valor – One would have to be strong and courageous to approach the fires of the furnace because it was burning so hot. v. 21 Bound – These Jewish men were tied up while still in their formalwear. This shows the hastiness of the king, who was so angry that he did not take the time to strip them of their official clothing before casting them into the fire. Turban – This is a cloth wrapping worn around the head. v. 22 Urgent – This term might be better translated as sharp or harsh and is referring to Nebuchadnezzar's anger, which led him to heat the oven as hotter than necessary, and which put the guards in such a hurry to fulfill the king's command that they did not take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from the fire. Killed those men – The fact that the flame was hot enough to kill the men that approached the furnace, magnifies the greatness of the miracle which God was about to perform. No one could give a natural explanation for what was about to happen. v. 24 Counselors – high court officials who served as advisors to the king v. 25 I see – He would have been able to see through the door of the furnace, which most likely had not been shut as the men assigned that task would've died before having the opportunity to do so. Also, there were ventilation slits and various openings into the furnace. v. 25 Son of God – It was common in antiquity to consider any spiritual being to be a son of the gods. There is, therefore, some debate as to who this might be. Some argue that it is an angelic being that was sent by God to protect the men, while others argue that this is in fact Jesus Christ prior to His incarnation. v. 26 Near – He approached the door and went as near as he could stand, but did not come as close as the men that had died previously. Mouth – the door of the furnace Most High God – Again, keep in mind that Nebuchadnezzar is a polytheist, meaning that he recognizes and worships many gods. This statement indicates that he recognizes that the Jewish God Yahweh is the greatest of all the gods. v. 27 Hair…garments…smell of fire – As with the dead guards, this is used to increase the glory of the miracle. Not only had the men survived, but they were protected so completely it was as if they had never been in the fire at all. v. 28 Angel – Angel simply means messenger and could be referring to any number of spiritual beings. This term could be used of a pre-incarnate Christ. Trusted…frustrated the king's word – When the king had told them that no god could save them, they believed God anyway. This kind of trust had a humbling effect on the king, forcing him to recognize that their God was greater than he. v. 29 Speaks anything amiss – This event brought great glory to name of the God of Israel by allowing everyone to see what He is capable of. Nonetheless, the king and the people still had not reached the point where they were ready to recognize Him as the one true God. Here the king does not say that everybody has to worship God and Him alone, only that no one can speak against Him. v. 30 Promoted – caused them to prosper and appointed them to higher positions of authority in the kingdom Daniel 4 v. 1 Nebuchadnezzar the King, to all peoples…peace – This is a general proclamation circulated amongst the provinces of Babylon and takes the regular form of a letter commonly used in antiquity (e.g. compare with the introductions to Paul's letters). All peoples, nations, languages – Nebuchadnezzar was an emperor in control of people from many different ethnic backgrounds that spoke many different languages. The use of the word "all" is exaggeration; he didn't really rule over every group of people in the earth. v. 2 Most High God – As in chapter 3, this is a declaration that the God of Israel is the highest or greatest of the gods; it doesn't necessarily mean that Nebuchadnezzar is telling everybody that he is the only god. Nebuchadnezzar never uses God's covenant name, but only calls him the Most High God. v. 3 Everlasting Kingdom – It would've required great humility on the part of the king to say this because he recognizes that there is a king that is greater than himself. This is something that kings of such empires were not accustomed to doing. It also shows that he recognizes that the supreme rule of this King of Kings will never cease. Dominion – the extent of his rule, or the area under his control v. 6 Wise men – Chaldeans engaged in astrology, magic, soothsaying, the interpretation of dreams, and other types of false spirituality to try to learn things about the future. These "wise men" were a sort of professional magician employed by the king. v. 7 Magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and the soothsayers – Each of these refers to some class of "wise men" mentioned in verse 6. All of these engaged in dark spiritualism, contacting demonic influences and the like to learn of the future. They have been called upon to interpret the king's dream for him. Chaldeans – This term, which technically referred to one of the principle Babylonian clans, was used to speak of a special class of magician that practiced traditional forms of Babylonian magic. v. 8 Daniel – As one of the king's advisors, he would've been asked to help in the interpretation of the king's dream. Unlike the "wise men" mentioned above, however, he would not have done so through any kinds of false or demonic spirituality, but would have sought the wisdom of the Lord his God. Belteshazzar – the name given to Daniel by Ashpenaz in 1:7 According to the name of my god – The first part of Daniel's Babylonian name is to be identified with "Bel" a title meaning "Lord" and used of the Babylonian god Marduk, whose name was too holy to speak. Thus, Nebuchadnezzar named Daniel after his own god. Holy God – This is to be set in contrast with the term "my god" and shows that Nebuchadnezzar understood that there was a difference between the God of Daniel and the one that he himself had been serving. The term "Holy" means different, or separate from. v. 9 Chief of the magicians – It is not that Daniel is actually using the same techniques as the magicians mentioned in the previous verses, but Nebuchadnezzar, who is not familiar with the Scriptures, does not distinguish between insights gained from God and those gained from false and demonic sources. In his mind Daniel is simply a magician and, indeed, the greatest of the magicians. I know – Nebuchadnezzar knew that Daniel would be able to explain and answer his dream, because Daniel had already given the interpretation of the dream he had in chapter 2. v. 10 Tree – As with many of the visions of the scriptures, a metaphoric and symbolic image is given that represents something that is going to happen in the future. This time, unlike the events recounted in chapter 2, the king has decided to tell Daniel the dream beforehand. Undoubtedly, he did this because he had built up a trust with Daniel. v. 11 Reached to the heavens…ends of all the earth – This is an exaggerated statement. He is merely saying that the tree was very large. v. 12 All flesh – All of these statements of the tree are implying that the benefits and protection of the tree extended to everyone and everything within the empire. v. 13 watcher – This term was used commonly in the Middle East in antiquity and was used to refer to angelic and spiritual beings that interacted on Earth with mankind. Holy one – This term simply means different from or other than, and implies that this being was different from those the king had normal interactions with. v. 15 Him – Here the watcher lets Nebuchadnezzar in on what the tree represents. Without explicitly telling us what it is, we find out that it is representative of some man. Daniel will shortly reveal that man to be the king himself. v. 16 Heart of a beast – This man will behave like an animal. Times – This term represents a set but undefined period of time. It is sometimes used to refer to a year, but does not have to be. Traditionally, Bible teachers have assumed that this is referring to years. Seven – This number is commonly used to convey the idea of completion and implies that this period of time will bring about a fulfillment of things. v. 17 Decree of the watchers – As mentioned in verse 13, the watchers were understood to be spiritual or angelic beings that interacted with the affairs of men. In saying that this judgment is by the decree of the watchers, it does not necessarily mean that they came up with the idea and pronounced judgment. It could mean that they approved and agreed with the judgment of God and had the responsibility of declaring it to men. Sentence – This is referring to the judicial act of passing sentence and is a repetition of "decree." These watchers pass judgment by decreeing that they are in agreement with the judgments of God. Lowest – The point made here is that there is nothing special about Nebuchadnezzar. He did not attain to his position because he was better than other men. He received it from God because God, in His sovereignty, desired it. v. 19 Astonished…troubled – He was quiet for a time and troubled in his spirit because he knew that the message bode ill for the king. The cause of this trouble is not entirely clear, as it might be driven by some affection Daniel had for the king, or it might be that he was afraid to relay the message our of fear that the king would be angry. Those who hate you – Daniel prefaces his interpretation by saying that he wished it wasn't true and that he wished the judgments of the dream would be brought upon the king's enemies instead. v. 20 Became strong…height reached to the heavens…it is you – As we find out in verse 22 that the tree represents Nebuchadnezzar, these various descriptions of the king refer to his conquests and the extent of his power. Height reached to the heavens – Nebuchadnezzar held the highest position in the most powerful empire in the world at that time. All the earth – His authority and power extended throughout the entire Middle East and his reputation was known throughout the civilized world. Leaves were lovely – Nebuchadnezzar richly adorned his city and engaged in enormous building projects the greatest of which were the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Food for all – He provided military protection and economic stability to all of the people of his empire. Dominion – the extent of his rule v. 23 Chop down – The chopping the tree represents the removal of the king from his position of power. Wet with the dew of heaven – The king will live in the fields, sleeping in the grass, and covered in the dew of the morning. Graze – The king will eat the same grass that the wild animals partake of. v. 25 Drive you from men – The king will be forced out of his home and kingdom and will have to live apart from the presence of people altogether. Seven times – Again this refers to seven undefined periods of time. This may mean that the king would live for seven years amongst the wild animals, but it is not entirely clear how long he would be kept from the fellowship of men. v. 26 Stump and roots – In verse 15, the watcher gave the command to allow the roots and the stump to remain. This means that the kingdom will remain intact and will someday be restored to Nebuchadnezzar. Heaven rules – Nebuchadnezzar would be forced to live in a state of insanity, living amongst the wild animals as an animal himself, until he humbled himself and realized that he did not earn his position as king, but that it was given to him by God. This whole exercise is meant to humble him before God. v. 27 Advice – Daniel offers the king advice, telling him that he needs to repent of his sins and turn towards God. Perhaps – Daniel argued that God might prolong his reign if he repented and that he might not have to go through the judgment prescribed by the vision. v. 29 Twelve months – These events will take place a year after Nebuchadnezzar's vision. v. 30 I have built…by my mighty power and majesty – The king is taking the credit for the empire that he thinks he built and, in spite of his vision and Daniel's warning, is refusing to give the credit to God. v. 33 Hair like eagles feathers…nails like birds claws – Here the king is using a simile to describe his physical appearance; it is not a literal description of what happened. His hair grew long, matted and unkempt and his fingernails grew long. The comparison to the features of wild animals is used to convey the idea that he was very animalistic during this time in his life. v. 34 Lifted my eyes to heaven – There is the implication of humility here. He has become very low and now has to look upward toward heaven. This implies that he understands that heaven is above him and God is greater than him. Understanding returned – During this period of time, the king had experienced some kind of psychosis and had lost control of his senses. After lifting his eyes to heaven, recognition of his own insignificance set in and his senses returned to him. v. 37 Pride…he is able to put down – Verses 34-37 recount the conversion of Nebuchadnezzar. Having experienced the fact that he is no greater than other men and that God can do with him as he so pleases, the king gives glory to God and recognizes that every man is what he is by God's good graces alone.
"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 What a wonderful blessing to see someone who was so lost among worship of pagan gods and idols experience the life that is found only in You, Lord. There are many around us, God, who are just as lost in the secular, materialistic world in which we live. When Your Spirit gives us guidance, give us courage, Lord, and the right words.
Engage Truth We have just started our fall semester of college age Core groups and are greatly looking forward to the fruit it will produce in those who attend. We saw great fruit from last year's groups in the lives of those who attended. Prayer Points for wisdom for the facilitators as they lead the discussions and pour into those who attend.