Bible Study - Impact (4) - Live Humbly - Daniel 4:28-35 - November 8, 2015

Bible Study – Impact (4) – Live Humbly – November 8, 2015

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled “Game Changer: How to Impact the World.”

Our focus scripture is Daniel 4:28-35.

Pride leads to downfall but GOD honors humility.

Our previous lessons reveal that GOD was revealing Himself to King Nebuchadnezzar. The king realized that the GOD of the Israelites was more powerful than his gods but he hung onto his gods. 

This lesson reveals the extent GOD will go to reveal Himself to people.

Let’s read Daniel 4:1-27: (Background)

Nebuchadnezzar's Proclamation

1 King Nebuchadnezzar, to those of every people, nation, and language, who live in all the earth: May your prosperity increase. 

2 I am pleased to tell you about the miracles and wonders the Most High God has done for me. 

3 How great are His miracles, and how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation.

This is the king’s testimony of the One True GOD of the Israelites working in his life. As we have studied the king’s life, we have seen how GOD has attempted to reveal Himself to the king. The king saw GOD manifested through the lives of Daniel and his friends but he did not see GOD as the One True GOD for his life. GOD was just another god who had more power and presence than his gods. We have seen that GOD was appealing to the king in mighty ways.

GOD pursues every person. HE does not want to see anyone perish but to have everlasting life through faith in JESUS CHRIST, Who is the only way to heaven. It is GOD’S desire to reveal truth to every human. HE works in the innermost part of our being, which is referred to as the “eyes of our heart.” Since, GOD did not make humans as robots, HE made each person with the freedom to choose. A person’s relationship with HIM is his or her choice. HE leaves it to each individual whether or not to accept CHRIST as his or her Savior. GOD knows the hearts of every person who has lived and will ever live. HE will be the judge of every person on that final day. Since GOD is intimate with every person, that qualifies HIM as the perfect Judge.

If this concerns you, JESUS made it very plain in HIS very words recorded in John 5:24-27:

24 "I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life. 

25 "I assure you: An hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

26 For just as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted to the Son to have life in Himself. 

27 And He has granted Him the right to pass judgment, because He is the Son of Man.

Ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and ask HIM to come into your life and you will pass from death to life and not be judged. You will receive eternal life at that instant and will be a born-again as GOD’S Son or Daughter. Eternal life is instant. Yielding your life to GOD and obedient service to HIM, as you are led by the indwelling Holy Spirit, results in eternal rewards. Once born into GOD’S family your salvation from sin and death is secure; rewards are the icing on the cake so-to-speak.

The Dream (The king has another dream.)

4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and flourishing in my palace. 

5 I had a dream, and it frightened me; while in my bed, the images and visions in my mind alarmed me. 

6 So I issued a decree to bring all the wise men of Babylon to me in order that they might make the dream's interpretation known to me. 

7 When the diviner-priests, mediums, Chaldeans, and astrologers came in, I told them the dream, but they could not make its interpretation known to me. 

This time the king revealed his dream and his advisors could not give him an interpretation. I wonder why they did not try to con the king and just give him something. Could it be that they thought the king would likely call upon Daniel for his advice? I think so and Daniel would reveal the truth to the king. This is another testimony of GOD to the king, as well as to his advisers.

8 Finally Daniel, named Belteshazzar after the name of my god-and the spirit of the holy gods is in him-came before me. I told him the dream: 

9 Belteshazzar, head of the diviners, because I know that you have a spirit of the holy gods and that no mystery puzzles you, explain to me the visions of my dream that I saw, and its interpretation. 

The king failed to see GOD as the One True GOD. Up to this point in the king’s life, GOD had revealed Himself through events involving Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Now, it was time for GOD to make HIS power known to the king in a very real and powerful manner.

10 In the visions of my mind as I was lying in bed, I saw this: There was a tree in the middle of the earth, and its height was great. 

11 The tree grew large and strong; its top reached to the sky, and it was visible to the ends of the earth. 

12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant, and on it was food for all. Wild animals found shelter under it, the birds of the air lived in its branches, and every creature was fed from it. 

13 As I was lying in my bed, I also saw in the visions of my mind an observer, a holy one, coming down from heaven. 

14 He called out loudly: Cut down the tree and chop off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it, and the birds from its branches.

15 But leave the stump with its roots in the ground, and with a band of iron and bronze around it, in the tender grass of the field. Let him be drenched with dew from the sky and share the plants of the earth with the animals.

Bible scholars view the “band of iron and bronze” in a number of ways. It was a reference to future prophesies.   

16 Let his mind be changed from that of a man, and let him be given the mind of an animal for seven periods of time.

Likely the “seven periods of time” related to seven years.

17 This word is by decree of the observers; the matter is a command from the holy ones. This is so the living will know that the Most High is ruler over the kingdom of men. He gives it to anyone He wants and sets over it the lowliest of men. 

18 This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because none of the wise men of my kingdom can make the interpretation known to me. But you can, because you have the spirit of the holy gods.

The Dream Interpreted

19 Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was stunned for a moment, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king said, "Belteshazzar, don't let the dream or its interpretation alarm you." Belteshazzar answered, "My lord, may the dream apply to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your enemies! 

Why do you think Daniel was stunned? Could it be that Daniel saw the prosperity of the king’s rule and thought that the king’s relationship with GOD was intact? The Jews generally thought prosperity was a witness of GOD’S favor upon a person. Could it be that Daniel was shocked that GOD would appeal to the heart of a king who worshipped other gods again? The point being for whatever reason, “Daniel was stunned.”

20 The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, whose top reached to the sky and was visible to all the earth, 

21 whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant-and on it was food for all, under it the wild animals lived, and in its branches the birds of the air lived- 

22 that tree is you, the king. For you have become great and strong: your greatness has grown and even reaches the sky, and your dominion [extends] to the ends of the earth. 

The Babylonian Empire was truly impressive. The king had made Babylon the capitol of Babylonia into a stunning city. Not only did he have Babylon a city of beauty but the cities he conquered.

23 "The king saw an observer, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, 'Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump with its roots in the ground and with a band of iron and bronze around it, in the tender grass of the field. Let him be drenched with dew from the sky, and share [food] with the wild animals for seven periods of time.' 

Would Daniel reveal truth to the king or hold back? The sin of pride and self-sufficiency has consequences. Let’s read on.

24 This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the sentence of the Most High that has been passed against my lord the king: 

25 You will be driven away from people to live with the wild animals. You will feed on grass like cattle and be drenched with dew from the sky for seven periods of time, until you acknowledge that the Most High is ruler over the kingdom of men, and He gives it to anyone He wants. 

26 As for the command to leave the tree's stump with its roots, your kingdom will be restored to you as soon as you acknowledge that Heaven rules. 

27 Therefore, may my advice seem good to you my king. Separate yourself from your sins by doing what is right, and from your injustices by showing mercy to the needy. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity."

Daniel saw that GOD was planning to deal with the king is a very harsh manner but the king may have an opportunity to divert his destiny by good works. Apparently, Daniel felt compassion for the king and possibly, in general, that the king had a good heart. But having a good heart does not build the right relationship with GOD.

GOD gave the king an opportunity to seek truth and build his relationship with HIM. But did he? Let’s read on.

Often, we have to be broken before we can come to GOD with the right attitude before we can build the right relationship with HIM.

Let’s read Daniel 4:28-30:The Sentence Executed

28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 

This is a transitional verse which connects the events in verses 4-27 with their fulfillment in verses 29-34. “All this” refers to the dream the king had some 12 months earlier. The king was giving this account. In essence, it was the testimony of his conversion experience. Verses 28 and 29, read like a person introducing the king. GOD is not a respecter of persons. HIS judgment falls upon all.

29 At the end of 12 months, as he was walking on the roof of the royal palace in Babylon,

30 the king exclaimed, "Is this not Babylon the Great that I have built by my vast power to be a royal residence and to display my majestic glory?" 

[A description of some of the achievements the king accomplished in Babylon is written at the end of the lesson. History confirms that King Nebuchadnezzar was a master builder. The king did these things to display his “majestic glory.”]

Remember pride and self-sufficiency was the king’s sins. GOD gave the king a year to ponder the dream and respond to HIM. What did the king do? He walked on the roof top of the royal palace in Babylon and proudly looked over all “he had built” and what he had accomplished.

Does this remind you of the parable JESUS told in Luke 12:15-21:

15 He (JESUS) then told them, "Watch out and be on guard against all greed because one's life is not in the abundance of his possessions." 

16 Then He told them a parable: "A rich man's land was very productive. 

17 He thought to himself, 'What should I do, since I don't have anywhere to store my crops? 

18 I will do this,' he said. 'I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. 

19 Then I'll say to myself, "You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself." ' 

20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared-whose will they be?' 

21 "That's how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."

GOD is sovereign over all things. We can acknowledge that fact or continue to deny it but the fact is GOD is in control and HE never overrides our will. We will suffer the consequences for our decisions.

GOD preserved these Biblical accounts for us to glean truth from them and come to HIM through HIS One and Only SON, JESUS. Salvation is a free gift, why do people find it so hard to return GOD’S love by rejecting CHRIST as their Savior.

As the king was patting himself on the back, GOD intervened in his life. There are times that our lives take an abrupt turn. Our eternal life is more important than our physical life.

Let’s read Daniel 4:31-33:

31 While the words were still in the king's mouth, a voice came from heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared that the kingdom has departed from you. 

32 You will be driven away from people to live with the wild animals, and you will feed on grass like cattle for seven periods of time, until you acknowledge that the Most High is ruler over the kingdom of men, and He gives it to anyone He wants." 

33 At that moment the sentence against Nebuchadnezzar was executed. He was driven away from people. He ate grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with dew from the sky, until his hair grew like eagles' [feathers] and his nails like birds' [claws].

GOD says what HE means and means what HE says. That is truth to all people, including today.

Let’s read Daniel 4:34-35: Nebuchadnezzar's Praise

34 But at the end of those days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity returned to me. Then I praised the Most High and honored and glorified Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. 

The king finally got it right. Notice what the king did, “he looked up to heaven.” It is exciting to see GOD acknowledge our surrender to HIM. Often, we think we have to use glowing words for GOD to save us but often it is simply looking up and seeing CHRIST as our Savior. The king yielded his pride, arrogance and self-sufficiency and embraced the One True GOD of the Israelites. GOD immediately met his need for salvation. The king did not clean up when he looked up to heaven but he came to GOD just like he was. Do you recall the song, “Just as I Am?” That is exactly how GOD wants us to come to HIM and HE cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

After years of trying to live the Christian life in my strength, I simply asked the LORD to take my life just like it was; the good and the bad and to help me to live the Christian life. Faster than the twinkle of the eye HE took it. That was in 1971 and there have been many ups and downs but I have always known that I was HIS Son and always in HIS hands.

35 All the inhabitants of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does what He wants with the army of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. There is no one who can hold back His hand or say to Him, "What have You done?" 

GOD is sovereign in heaven, earth and the universe. No one can control GOD or challenge HIS authority. GOD is in control. All the power humans can amass is nothing when compared to GOD’S power.

36 At that time my sanity returned to me, and my majesty and splendor returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and my nobles sought me out, I was reestablished over my kingdom, and even more greatness came to me. 

GOD restored the king. GOD preserved Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom. Now he could enjoy what GOD had allowed for him to enjoy while he was still upon earth. Now he knew truth and what GOD had allowed him to experience upon earth. He would look upon his kingdom through GOD’S eyes. He knew who was boss.

37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and glorify the King of heaven, because all His works are true and His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride.

WOW! Once we see truth, we rejoice! Do you know truth? Do you know JESUS CHRIST as your Savior? If not, now is that opportunity to pray and ask HIM to forgive you for your sins and to come into your life. If you did, ask HIM to lead you to a church that can help you to grow and mature Spiritually. Blessings!!!

Ancient Babylon – Copied in general from “BIBLE Studies for Life” page 122, published by  LifeWay One LifeWay Plaza,  Nashville, TN 37234, SSN: 2330-9822; Item 005075045.

Under King Nebuchadnezzar’s leadership the Euphrates River was channeled into reservoirs throughout the city. A bridge 400 feet long connected the east and west sections of the city. He created magnificent streets including the opulent Processional Way that was a thousand yards long (that is ten football fields) and led to the massive seven level ziggurat that towered over 280 feet. He created the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. He built an irrigation system that allowed for year-round beauty. He designed stone walking places throughout the landscape. He had two massive walls and a water-filled moat surrounding the entire city. The first set of walls encompassed the main city or city limits. The inner wall was approximately 21 feet thick and the outer wall was approximately 11 feet thick. Both walls were accented with watchtowers. Later the king built a second set of walls – The outer wall was over 25 feet thick and the inner wall was 23 feet thick. The walls were roughly 35-40 feet high and in some sections reached 300 feet. These walls covered a distance of 17 miles and were wide enough for two chariots to travel across the top. The king claimed credit for these achievements and prided himself on being a creator. I marvel at the ingenuity of these ancient civilizations.