A HARD LESSON FOR A KING: A Despot Dethroned (Daniel 4) A

Confident of Babylon's invincibility, Nebuchadnezzar rides out through the Ishtar gate. But how secure is his throne? From the wordings of Daniel 4:1-2, it is evident that Nebuchadnezzar published the account of this second recorded dream which God gave him.

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The effect of this dream on the king was terrifying. He was so afraid and the dreams and visions that passed through his mind terrified him (Daniel 4:5). Filled with fear, Nebuchadnezzar again sent for his wise men the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers (Dan 4:6).

But, like the astrologers who tried to explain the first dream, they hadn't the slightest idea as to what it meant (Dan 4:7). At last Daniel entered the audience chamber and this time, the king told him his dream (Dan 4:8-9). In his dream, Nebuchadnezzar saw a great tree. The tree as very tall and magnificent! (Dan 4:10-12)

What happened to the tree?

At the instruction of a Holy messenger from Heaven, this huge tree was cut down but its stump was left on the ground (Dan 4:13-14).
The stump was bound with iron and bronze (Dan 4:15a).
The tree was to be drenched with the dew of the heaven and was to live among the animals and plants of the field (Dan 4:15b).

There is something in the narration of the dream that already gives a clue that the subject of the dream is a human being.

This is evident in the instruction that the HUMAN HEART should be stripped from the tree and that it should be given the heart of a beast (Dan 4:16).

The verdict on the tree is to last for SEVEN SEASONS—SEVEN YEARS (Dan 4:17).

The reason for the dream and verdict is clearly stated in the story:

“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” (Daniel 4:17, NIV).

Understanding the gravity of the dream, Daniel was initially reluctant to tell the interpretation (Dan 4:19). But after the king had persuaded him to tell all, Daniel faithfully revealed the terrible truth to the king (Dan 4:20-26). The tree represented the king whose kingdom had flourished.

The king was to be stripped of his throne for seven years. He would live in the wild among animals and plants for seven years until he recognizes that God is Sovereign and rules over all.

After seven years, his throne would be restored to him.

To be continued......

Emerge!