Daniel 4
Nebuchadnezzar’s life was very interesting. He encountered God through visions. Visions that led him to realize that God’s word is powerful. God allowed him to go through some very difficult challenges to teach him some important lessons.
I. Nebuchadnezzar’s 2nd vision.
“ 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).”
· Nebuchadnezzar consulted the wise men of Babylon to interpret his vision, but they failed the 2nd time.
· He had no other recourse but to consult with Daniel.
· He recognized that Daniel has the Holy Spirit in him.
· At this point, he was not yet fully convinced to turn to God and
· worship Him only.
What was your own turning point in life? What fully convinced you to put your complete trust in the Lord?
II. Daniel’s interpretation of the 2nd dream.
· The king represented the tree. v. 20.
· The beasts and the birds which came to eat from the tree’s foliage were the people under his rule. v. 21
· The fall of the tree was God’s judgment on him. vv. 23-25.
· The holy watcher was an angel. v. 23a.
· The stump that was still in existence after the tree was chopped, formed the core of Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom. v. 23b.
· The band was an assurance that God will preserve his kingdom. v. 23c.
· The seven times shall pass means that it will take 7 years for Nebuchadnezzar to repent and be converted to faith in God. v. 25a.
· The Most High carries the idea that God rules the kingdom of men. v.25b. See also Romans 13:1.
III. Nebuchadnezzar’s sin against God.
“29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 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?”
· He was proud of his achievements and own majesty.
· He glorifies himself.
· He believed that he is the most powerful person in his time.
· He must learn to submit himself to God.
IV. Lessons from Nebuchadnezzar’s encounter with God.
1. God sovereignly chooses people to save.
“35 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?” 4:35
2. God can deliver and preserve those who fully trust and obey Him.
“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.”
3. God deserves our worship because His ways are just.
“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.” 4:37.
· He realized that God’s ways are impartial.
· Submission to God will result to worship of Him.
· Worship rightly belong to God only.
How excited are you to come and worship God?
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