Wednesday, Bible Study Fellowship, April 9, 2008

 

God Does as He Pleases

Daniel 4

 

Introduction: Daniel 4 is believed by some to be the personal experience of Nebuchadnezzar’s salvation! We will know for sure in heaven. It is definitely an amazing story of how God humbles the most powerful man on the planet.

 

I.             It is my pleasure (1-3)

A.   Nebuchadnezzar is sending his personal message to all the people of the world.

B.   He declares that it is “…my pleasure…” to tell us about the:

1.    miraculous signs

2.    wonders

C.   These signs and wonders were performed by “the most high God!”

1.    His kingdom is eternal

2.    His dominion endures from generation to generation.

3.    They were performed “for me” (2). This is very personal.

D.   “Back in Daniel 3:29 he issued a decree and expressed a conviction. Here he gives a personal testimony. There it was a decree; here it is a decision. There it was a conviction, and here it is a conversion” (McGee, pg.67).

E.   The NIV notes verse 1 “May you prosper greatly.” The KJV has “Peace be multiplied unto you.” McGee writes “…he speaks here of the peace of heart which comes to a sinner when he knows he has been accepted of God and is at peace with God” (pg.68).

F.    “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations…” (Ps.145:13)

 

II.            Finally, Daniel came (4-18)

A.   One evening Nebuchadnezzar was in bed. He was “…at home in my palace, contented and prosperous” (4). Isn’t this the way with so many? We are content. We are prosperous. God must intervene to get our attention. Intervene he does!

B.   Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that terrified him (5). He asked the wise men to be brought so they could interpret the dream. This time he tells them the dream but not one of them can interpret it!

C.   Then finally Daniel comes. Nebuchadnezzar notes that Daniel is called Belteshazzar (1:7). Daniel has the spirit of the holy gods in him. (Many believe gods should be singular “God”. Walvoord, pg.100)

D.   “…Daniel’s fame has spread far and wide.” (Walvoord, pg.101) Note: Ez.28:3

E.   The dream:

1.    A large tree is in Babylon. Its top touches the sky. It could be seen to the ends of the earth.

2.    Every creature fed off of its fruit.

3.    A messenger descends from heaven and orders the tree to be cut. However, the stump and roots remain- bound by iron and bronze.

4.    For 7 years this tree will have the mind of an animal and live like an animal.

F.    Nebuchadnezzar then declares the source and purpose of the dream:

1.    The source- the message comes from:

a.    “…a messenger, a holy one; coming down from heaven” (13)

b.    “…by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict…” (17)

2.    The purpose: “…so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone He wishes…” (17).

 

G.   We also discover that God sets over the kingdoms the lowliest (NIV)/ basest (KJV) of men. The point is that God is sovereign, and not Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar is very proud (4:28-30). God wants him and us to know that any human accomplishment is because God allows it. God uses the lowliest of people: I Sam.2:7-8; Job 5:11; Psalm 113:7-8; Luke 1:52.

H.   Nebuchadnezzar knows that Daniel has a different spirit with him. Now, the most powerful man in the world seeks his help! Surely God knows how to humble the proud.

 

III.           If Only (19-27)

A.   Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar have become friends. Nebuchadnezzar is king. Daniel is the Prime Minister.

B.   If only the dream applied to Nebuchadnezzar’s enemies- but it doesn’t!

C.   The tree is Nebuchadnezzar (22).

D.   The messenger, watcher, holy one who comes from heaven (13, 17, 23) is sent by “…the decree of the Most High…” (24). This teaches us “the watchers are the holy ones who administer the affairs of this world. The book of Daniel makes it clear that God has created intelligences who administer his universe and this world in which you and I live” (McGee, pg.72).

E.   Nebuchadnezzar will be driven away from people and will live like an animal. There are clinical cases of a mental disorder known as “boanthropy” where mental patients live and act like animals.

F.    Daniel states “…seven times will pass by you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men…” (25).

1.    God knows what it will take to humble us (boanthropy)

2.    God knows how long it will take to humble us (7 years)

G.   Heaven rules! (26) “The expression that the heavens do rule, is of particular interest for it is the only time in the Old Testament where the word heaven is substituted for God” (Walvoord, pg.106).

H.   The Daniel urges the king to repent! If he repents maybe the dream will not come true.

I.     Notice why he needs to repent:

1.    Renounce your sins by doing what is right!

2.    Renounce your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed!

3.    Nebuchadnezzar was more concerned about building monuments (30) than helping mankind

4.    This is a good word of warning for us! What’s more important? Monuments or mankind? (Micah 6:8)

J.    “Secret sin on earth is open scandal up yonder in heaven.” (McGee, pg.72)

 

IV.          Twelve months later (28-33)

A.   The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven (31). God has a specific time table!

B.   For the next 7 years Nebuchadnezzar lived like an animal. The kingdom was probably administered by Daniel who would have insisted that the king not be killed. Remember God said: “…your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules” (26).

C.   It would take 7 years for Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge “…that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men…” (32).

 

V.           My sanity was restored (34-37)

A.   Nebuchadnezzar raised his eyes toward heaven, and his sanity was restored!

1.    Jesus said, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life…” (John 6:40)

2.    Look and live! The Israelites had to look at the serpent and live (Num.21:8-9). We have to look to Jesus and live (John 3:14-15). Nebuchadnezzar had to look to heaven (4:34).

3.    How long will it be before we in America look to heaven? It took 7 years to break Nebuchadnezzar’s pride!

B.   Nebuchadnezzar praises God:

1.    I praised the Most High.

2.    I honored and glorified Him who lives forever.

3.    His dominion is eternal.

4.    His kingdom was restored.

5.    He does as He pleases.

C.   At the same time:

1.    My sanity was restored.

2.    My kingdom was restored.

3.    God always keeps His word!

D.   Then the most powerful man in the world says, “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” (37).

 

Walvoord concludes: “Now Nebuchadnezzar apparently worships the King of heaven only. For this reason, his autobiography is truly remarkable and reflects the fruitfulness of Daniel’s influence upon him and probably of Daniels daily prayer for him.” (pg.112)