Daniel 4 | Romans 13:1b
“King, Dude… You’ve gotta stop sinning, or this is going to happen.”
What follows is a series of ‘clips’ from the fourth chapter of the book of Daniel. It will read like one of those movie trailers that shows too much…the kind that makes you say, “Why do I need to see the movie? I just saw the whole thing!” (If you have not read Daniel 4, then…spoiler alert.)
4 “I, Nebuchadnezzar, was living in my palace in comfort and prosperity. 5 But one night I had a dream that frightened me; I saw visions that terrified me as I lay in my bed.”
8 “At last Daniel came in before me, and I told him the dream. (He was named Belteshazzar after my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)”
10 “‘While I was lying in my bed, this is what I dreamed. I saw a large tree in the middle of the earth.’”
13 “‘Then as I lay there dreaming, I saw a messenger, a holy one, coming down from heaven. 14 The messenger shouted, “Cut down the tree and lop off its branches! Shake off its leaves and scatter its fruit! Chase the wild animals from its shade and the birds from its branches.’”
19 “Upon hearing this, Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) was overcome for a time, frightened by the meaning of the dream. Then the king said to him, ‘Belteshazzar, don’t be alarmed by the dream and what it means.’ “Belteshazzar replied, ‘I wish the events foreshadowed in this dream would happen to your enemies, my lord, and not to you!’”
22 “‘That tree, Your Majesty, is you. For you have grown strong and great; your greatness reaches up to heaven, and your rule to the ends of the earth.’”
27 “‘King Nebuchadnezzar, please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper.’”
28 “But all these things did happen to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later he was taking a walk on the flat roof of the royal palace in Babylon. 30 As he looked out across the city, he said, ‘Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor.’”
33 “That same hour the judgment was fulfilled, and Nebuchadnezzar was driven from human society. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven. He lived this way until his hair was as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails were like birds’ claws.”
36 “When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before.”
37 “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud.”
(Daniel 4, NLT)
Nebuchadnezzar was arguably the greatest king of Babylon. He needed a reminder that God put him in his position of honor and authority.
For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.
(Romans 13:1b NLT)
God took extreme measures to show King Nebuchadnezzar from where his blessings came. And the king responded to being humbled by praising God.
What extreme measures might God be taking to humble you? And how might you respond?
Questions for Group Discussion
- Does it seem like God’s treatment of Nebuchadnezzar was too harsh? Does it make it less harsh that he was restored to sanity and kingship in the end? For more perspective, read Daniel 5:18-30, and notice how God treated King Belshazzar.
- What does Nebuchadnezzar’s ultimate response to God say about his character? Do you think God took this into account when he decided to restore him to his former position?
- How do you respond when God humbles you? Could you take a lesson from King Nebuchadnezzar?
Challenge: From Humility to Praise
This may be a little painful…but the challenge here starts with choosing the top three most embarrassing or humiliating moments in your life.
Do that right now. We’ll wait…
Got your top three? Great. Now stop and thank God for them.
“What? Thank God for the most humiliating moments in my life?!” You read that right. Thank him for those moments.
Those moments remind you that, left to your own devices, you too can be a bumbling fool. And hopefully, they have turned you toward a greater dependance on God.
If you want bonus points, share your top three list with a trusted friend or mentor.
Suggested Prayer
Father, I know you love me and give me everything I have. Thank you for kindly reminding me to acknowledge that fact. Please help me to remember it in everything I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
