Daniel 4 Part 2

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

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In Daniel 4:19-28 we learn the meaning of Nebuchadnezzar’s most recent dream, with the meaning revealed by the prophet Daniel. It is an interesting turn of events as God moves to humble the king. We must remember that King Nebuchadnezzar was literally the king of the (known) world at that time. There was no other higher earthly authority, yet God was impressing on the king that He (God) and He alone was absolutely sovereign over all the universe including the earth and the affairs of humanity.

This was something that King Nebuchadnezzar had a difficult time appreciating and who could blame him? He was above any and every law he made; not having to follow those laws, though all others were required to do so. Nebuchadnezzar was filled with pride because of his position and God allows this to bring him to a point where this pride would be removed from Nebuchadnezzar.

Interestingly enough God did not have to do this. He could have simply eliminated Nebuchadnezzar but instead, chose to help the king see the light of God’s truth. Though the king had come to the point of acknowledging God as the “most high,” this was only in terms of his polytheism. God wanted Nebuchadnezzar to understand and know that Daniel’s God was the God and there was no other and God (Yahweh), was absolutely supreme in all things. It would be a difficult lesson for Nebuchadnezzar to learn but he did learn it and it is to God’s glory that he does.

We learn in Daniel 4:19 that Daniel hears Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and reacts with concern shown in his silence. He eventually states that he wishes the dream applied to the king’s enemies instead of the king himself. Nebuchadnezzar assures Daniel he can tell him what it means without fear of being punished. It is interesting that it seems both men respected each other here.

Daniel immediately understood the meaning of this dream and how well Nebuchadnezzar deserved what was to come upon him due to the king’s extreme pride and ego. Nevertheless, Daniel’s heart was concerned for the king and grieved over what he had to tell him.

This was the distinctive feature of the true prophets of God: though they often had to predict judgments, they were nevertheless grieved when any of God’s creatures were chastised. [Note: Feinberg, p. 56.]

In Daniel 4:20-23, Daniel repeats the facts of the dream showing Nebuchadnezzar he understood the contents. The tree represents Nebuchadnezzar who has become strong and great. He is literally a world ruler and filled the then-civilized world. The tree references Nebuchadnezzar personally and his dominion over all.

The great tree will be cut down but not fully or completely rejected as symbolized by the stump that remains. For “seven periods” (seven years most likely) Nebuchadnezzar will live as a beast of the field. He won’t even recognize who he is during that time. This was decreed by the Most High (v 24) and relayed by a Watcher and again, this occurs because of Nebuchadnezzar’s tremendous pride. God has chosen to humble the king, a sign of His grace.

Nebuchadnezzar would leave his throne and live like a beast. He would become like an animal even eating grass. Psychiatrists refer to this mental illness as Zoanthropy and there have been cases of it in the past. These people believe themselves to be some type of animal and live like that. Symptoms can also include excessive emotionalism. He may have also had a form of amnesia. This condition can stem from narcissism or extreme egoism.

There is another similar ailment called Boanthropy. This is where the person believes themselves to be an ox. The outside of the person is seen to be completely irrational, while the inside of the person can be normal in self-awareness. This may explain that at the end of the time Nebuchadnezzar raised his eyes toward heaven. R. K. Harrison recorded his personal observation of a mental patient with boanthropy who demonstrated exactly the symptoms described of Nebuchadnezzar.

In Daniel 4:24-26, we learn that Nebuchadnezzar’s condition would remain for seven periods until he had learned that only God is absolutely sovereign. Nebuchadnezzar would then receive back his senses and his throne. “Heaven ruling” (v 26) literally means God ruling since Heaven is His throne room. This is the only place in the OT where the word “heaven” is substituted for the word “God” though this is done often in the NT out of respect for God.

In v 27, Daniel exhorts the king to literally understand that this would happen to him UNLESS he turned from his pride and sin. Nebuchadnezzar needed to start showing mercy to the poor and living righteously before God. This emphasizes the principle that any judgment may be averted if there is genuine repentance. This could occur today in the world, but it’s clear that it will not. In fact, it will worsen leading to God pouring out His wrath.

In Daniel 4:28, we learn that this all came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. We see that Nebuchadnezzar made no necessary changes in his life. He continued to ignore the poor, live unrighteously and did not live under the truth that God and God alone is sovereign.

Pride is the worst of sins because it controls our thoughts, words and deeds. It gives rise to many other sins. God hates pride (Prov 8:13; 16:5; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5, etc), and if He is willing to do this to King Nebuchadnezzar, how much more does God want all pride rooted out of His children?

Next time, we will look at what happened with Nebuchadnezzar and the results of that starting with v 29.

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective