January 19, 2012
Nebuchadnezzar has had a life changing experience and he is writing a letter to "the people, nations, and those who speak every language in all the world." When your life has changed you can't help but tell everyone about it. The king experienced head knowledge before, but this time his heart was surrendered, and it made all the difference in the world. "Now!" Now I know, and "I, Nebuchadnezzar, give praise and honor, and glory to the King of heaven. Everything he does is right and fair, and he is able to make proud people humble."
The king "was happy and successful at my palace." Life was going along as he planned. But then, "I had a dream that made me afraid." This time he could remember the dream but he didn't know the meaning. He once again called the fortune-tellers, magicians, and "wise men" of Babylon, and once again they could not tell him what his dream meant. Finally, Daniel came and the king told him what he saw. He saw a tree, a large tree that was strong, beautiful, and powerful. It was in control of itself and everything around it. Then he saw "an observer," an angel from heaven. This "observer" issued a command for the tree to be destroyed, leaving only the stump behind.
The "observer" told why this would happen: so ALL will know that it is God—the Most High God—who "rules over every kingdom on earth. God gives those kingdoms to anyone he wants, and he chooses people to rule them who are not proud." Daniel hears the dream and is troubled by it. He knows what it means and his heart is broken for the king even though this is the very person that is responsible for his captivity. He realizes what it means and he hates to tell the king. If he doesn't change his ways he will lose his kingdom. Daniel 4:25–26 - "The Most High God is ruler over every kingdom on earth, and he gives those kingdoms to anyone he chooses... your kingdom will be given back to you when you learn that one in heaven rules your kingdom." Daniel begs him, "Please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Stop doing wicked things and be kind to the poor. Then you might continue to be successful."
Daniel warns him, but twelve months later Nebuchadnezzar is walking on his roof surveying all he owned. He said, "I have built this great Babylon as my royal home. I built it by my power to show my glory and my majesty." I, I, I ... my, my, my. The words were still in his mouth when a voice from heaven said, "Your royal power has been taken away from you. You will be forced away..." and everything he dreamt a year earlier came true. Immediately. It would take seven years before he understood the lesson: "The Most High God rules over every kingdom on earth and gives those kingdoms to anyone he chooses."
At the end of those seven years he could think normally again. Ezekiel 11:19 and 36:26 says we have to have a "new" way of thinking. Sometimes it takes trials to accomplish that goal. It took seven years, but Nebuchadnezzar finally got it—praise, honor, and glory belongs to God. Daniel 4:35 - "No one can stop his powerful hand or question what he does." God gave Nebuchadnezzar back his power AFTER he recognized the authority and sovereignty of God. Daniel 4:37 - "Now, I Nebuchadnezzar give praise and honor and glory to the King of heaven. Everything he does is right and fair and he is able to make proud people humble." Once the king understood this he wanted everyone else to know. That is why he wrote the following letter to "the people, nations, and those who speak every language in all the world":
Daniel 4:13 - "I saw an observer..."
Daniel 4:17 - "The observer gave this command..."
II Kings 6:16 - "Don't be afraid. The army that fights for us is larger that the one against us... open my servant's eyes and let him see..."
Then they will know!
Next Entry: Daniel 5:1–31
Nebuchadnezzar has had a life changing experience and he is writing a letter to "the people, nations, and those who speak every language in all the world." When your life has changed you can't help but tell everyone about it. The king experienced head knowledge before, but this time his heart was surrendered, and it made all the difference in the world. "Now!" Now I know, and "I, Nebuchadnezzar, give praise and honor, and glory to the King of heaven. Everything he does is right and fair, and he is able to make proud people humble."
The king "was happy and successful at my palace." Life was going along as he planned. But then, "I had a dream that made me afraid." This time he could remember the dream but he didn't know the meaning. He once again called the fortune-tellers, magicians, and "wise men" of Babylon, and once again they could not tell him what his dream meant. Finally, Daniel came and the king told him what he saw. He saw a tree, a large tree that was strong, beautiful, and powerful. It was in control of itself and everything around it. Then he saw "an observer," an angel from heaven. This "observer" issued a command for the tree to be destroyed, leaving only the stump behind.
The "observer" told why this would happen: so ALL will know that it is God—the Most High God—who "rules over every kingdom on earth. God gives those kingdoms to anyone he wants, and he chooses people to rule them who are not proud." Daniel hears the dream and is troubled by it. He knows what it means and his heart is broken for the king even though this is the very person that is responsible for his captivity. He realizes what it means and he hates to tell the king. If he doesn't change his ways he will lose his kingdom. Daniel 4:25–26 - "The Most High God is ruler over every kingdom on earth, and he gives those kingdoms to anyone he chooses... your kingdom will be given back to you when you learn that one in heaven rules your kingdom." Daniel begs him, "Please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Stop doing wicked things and be kind to the poor. Then you might continue to be successful."
Daniel warns him, but twelve months later Nebuchadnezzar is walking on his roof surveying all he owned. He said, "I have built this great Babylon as my royal home. I built it by my power to show my glory and my majesty." I, I, I ... my, my, my. The words were still in his mouth when a voice from heaven said, "Your royal power has been taken away from you. You will be forced away..." and everything he dreamt a year earlier came true. Immediately. It would take seven years before he understood the lesson: "The Most High God rules over every kingdom on earth and gives those kingdoms to anyone he chooses."
At the end of those seven years he could think normally again. Ezekiel 11:19 and 36:26 says we have to have a "new" way of thinking. Sometimes it takes trials to accomplish that goal. It took seven years, but Nebuchadnezzar finally got it—praise, honor, and glory belongs to God. Daniel 4:35 - "No one can stop his powerful hand or question what he does." God gave Nebuchadnezzar back his power AFTER he recognized the authority and sovereignty of God. Daniel 4:37 - "Now, I Nebuchadnezzar give praise and honor and glory to the King of heaven. Everything he does is right and fair and he is able to make proud people humble." Once the king understood this he wanted everyone else to know. That is why he wrote the following letter to "the people, nations, and those who speak every language in all the world":
"May you prosper greatly! It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the most High God has performed for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His Kingdom is an eternal Kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation." Daniel 4:2–3You can't keep His message to yourself. It must be told! Great things HE has done.
Daniel 4:13 - "I saw an observer..."
Daniel 4:17 - "The observer gave this command..."
II Kings 6:16 - "Don't be afraid. The army that fights for us is larger that the one against us... open my servant's eyes and let him see..."
Then they will know!
Next Entry: Daniel 5:1–31
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