The Most High God

Who wrote this letter and to whom and why? (v1) 

• Author: Nebuchadnezzar the king
• To:
  • All the people of the earth
  • From different nations
  • Who may speak different languages
• Witnessing the signs and wonders that Most High God has worked
  • In King Nebuchadnezzar’s life

 

What was the dream and its interpretation? (v24-27)

• A tree in the middle of the earth
  • Tall as sky, visible everywhere on earth, beautiful leaves, lots of fruit
  • Animals had shade under it
  • Birds of the sky lived in its branches
  • Everyone fed from it
• Tree is cut down but the stump is spared – so it can grow again
• Interpretation:
  • Nebuchadnezzar will be driven from men for seven years?
    • Until he knows that the Most High God
      • Rules in the kingdom of men 
      • Gives it to whomever he will
      • Sets up over it the lowest of men
  • Nebuchadnezzar, once he learns his lesson, will have his kingdom back

What did Nebuchadnezzar learn about God? (v3, 34-37)

• God of
  • Great signs
  • Mighty wonders
• His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom
• His dominion is from generation to generation – an everlasting dominion
• Lives forever
• He does according to His will in heaven and on earth
  • No one can stop him
  • Or question his actions
• His works are truth
• His ways are just
• He is able to bring down those who walk in pride

How did king Nebuchadnezzar respond to God’s ____________________ ? (v3, 34-37)

• Praised and honored
• Shared his testimony with the world
  • Including the details of how he was humbled

Conclusion:

• King Nebuchadnezzar humbled himself and shared his testimony
  • Including the most embarrassing details of his life
• God restored the kingdom back to Nebuchadnezzar – with added excellent greatness!
  • Even though he was out of action for seven years?

Passage Daniel 4:1-9  – World English Bible (WEB)

4 Nebuchadnezzar the king,

to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in all the earth:

Peace be multiplied to you.

2 It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked toward me.

3 How great are his signs!

    How mighty are his wonders!

His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.

    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 made 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 enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers came in; and I told the dream before them; but they didn’t make known to me its interpretation. 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. I told the dream before him, saying,

9 “Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no secret troubles you, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and its interpretation. 

Passage Daniel 4:24-37  – World English Bible (WEB)

24 “This is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which has come on my lord the king: 25 that you shall be driven from men, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass as oxen, and shall be wet with the dew of the sky, 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 will. 26 Whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree; your kingdom shall be sure to you, after that you will have known that the heavens do rule. 27 Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you, and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your tranquility.”

28 All this came on the king Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of twelve months he was walking in the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king spoke and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?”

31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice came from the sky, saying, “O king Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: ‘The kingdom has departed from you. 32 You shall be driven from men; and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass as oxen. 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 will.’”

33 This was fulfilled the same hour on Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from men, and ate grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky, until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.

34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him who lives forever;

for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,

    and his kingdom from generation to generation.

35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;

    and he does according to his will in the army of heaven,

    and among the inhabitants of the earth;

and no one can stop his hand,

    or ask him, “What are you doing?”

36 At the same time my understanding returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those who walk in pride he is able to abase.

Notes/Cross References

Proverbs 3:11-12: My son, don’t despise Yahweh’s discipline,  neither be weary of his correction;

12 for whom Yahweh loves, he corrects, even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.

Hebrews 12:11: All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.