“The Most High Ruleth in the Kingdom of Men”

Introduction “This intriguing chapter describes the difficult road travelled by Nebuchadnezzar from his personal pride and arrogance, to his praise and honor toward God.” (Glenn Colley)

Outline of Daniel 4 I. Nebuchadnezzar’s proclamation 1-3 II. The dream – a message from God 4-18 III. Daniel’s interpretation 19-27

IV. Fulfillment of the judgment 28-33 V. His restoration and acknowledgement of God’s rule 34-37 “We see God the humbler of the proud.” (John Waddey)

I. Overview of Daniel 4

Background – vs. 4 -5 [4] I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace: [5] I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

Magicians called – vs. 6-7 [6] Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.

[7] Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.

The message was from God and the magicians had no connection with Him At last, Daniel is called

Vs. 8 - 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,

The dream declared – vs. 9-18 A giant tree in the middle of the earth It provided beauty, protection, food and shelter “A watcher” --- “An holy one” = messenger from God

Command to cut down the tree – but leave the stump with a band of iron and brass

NOW THE DREAM CHANGES FROM DESCRIBING THE TREE TO DESCRIBING A MAN

To be wet with dew from heaven To live with beasts of the earth His heart to be changed from that of a man to a beast 7 times to pass over while he was in this state

The decree was from the watchers and the holy one Purpose of the decree – to let the living know that: The most high rules in the kingdoms of men

He gives it to whoever He wills And sets up over it the basest of men

Daniel 4:17 [17] 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.

Daniel interprets the dream – vs. 19-27 Daniel is astonished for one hour – vs. 19 His thoughts trouble him The tree = is Nebuchadnezzar and represents his strength and the vastness of his kingdom

The stump = also represented Nebuchadnezzar – his greatness would be cut off for a period of 7 times (a period determined by God)

He would be: Driven from among men Would dwell with the beasts of the field Would eat grass He would do this until he knew that the most High ruleth in the kingdoms of men

Daniel calls for repentance – vs. 27 [27] 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.

The fulfillment of the dream – God’s judgment – vs. 28-31 [28] All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar. [29] At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. [30] The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?

[31] While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.

Nebuchadnezzar blesses God Dan. 4:34 --- [34] And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:

Dan. 4:37 --- [37] 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.

II. Lessons

1. God uses the nations of men to care for the people of the earth

1 Pet. 2:13-14 [13] Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; [14] Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

2. There is no nation or leader of a nation that is so great that it is beyond God’s power to bring in low Jn. 19:11 - [11] Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above

3. The dream was bad news for the king – But Daniel told him the truth 4. Daniel encouraged the king to repent of his sins (This reminds us of Nathan and John Baptist)

5. In order to avoid the punishment of God, we must repent and do righteousness and mercy Acts 17:30

6. God expects leaders of nations to be humble, righteous and merciful Acts 24:25

7. God punishes the wicked that refuse to bend their will to God’s 2 Pet. 2:9 [9] The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

8. God is able to make all bend the knee to him- to abase those who walk in pride Js. 4:6 [6] God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

9. God’s dominion is everlasting and His kingdom from generation to generation

Heb. 12:28 [28] Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

10. God is to be glorified as being the King and Ruler of all affairs of men 11. Pride is destructive Prov. 16:18

12. We must humble ourselves before God