Interpretation - Daniel 4

 Nebuchadnezzar dream in Dan 4:1-19

TREE

1. in the midst of the earth with great height (vs 10)

2. Tree grew, was strong (vs 11) 

3. Height reached to heaven (vs11)

4. Could be seen by whole earth (vs 11)

5. Beautiful leaves and abundant fruit ( vs 12)

6. In it was food for all (vs 12)

7. Beast of field found shade under it (vs 12)

8. Birds of heaven lived in its branches (vs 12)

9. AND ALL FLESH WAS FED FROM IT (vs 12)

Watcher and/or a Holy One came down from heaven (vs 13)

1. Said "chop the tree down, cut off its branches" (vs 14)

2. "Shake off its leaves, scatter it's fruit" (vs 14)

3. "Let the beasts flee from under it" (vs 14)

4. "Let the birds flee from its branches" (vs 14)

5. Leave the stump of its roots in the earth (vs 15)

6. Bound with band of iron and brass amid the tender grass of the field (vs 15)

7. Let it (him) (the stump?) be wet with the dew of heaven (vs 15)

Reference changes FROM 'IT' TO 'HIM'

1. Let HIS (?) portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth (vs 15)

2. Let HIS heart be changed from man's and let a beast heart be given to HIM (vs 16)

3. Let seven times pass over HIM (vs 16)

The Sentence (vs 17)

1. Decreed by watchers and/or "word" of Holy Ones (vs 17)

2. The intent is so "the living will know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men" (vs 17)

3. And gives it to whomever he will (vs 17)

4. And sets it over the lowest of men (vs 18)

Interpretation

Dan 4:20-22

 20 The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth; 21 whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was food for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the birds of the heavens had their habitation: 22 it is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong; for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth. 

***Nebuchadnezzar's previous dream said he was the head of gold. If there is a connection, the tree probably represents the head of the statue?

Symbols

1. Tree = Nebuchadnezzar

2. Growth of tree, leaves, fruit, food for all, beast under shadow, birds in branches, and all flesh fed from it  = All are part of Nebuchadnezzar's greatness and strength and/or habitation which reaches up to heaven and the end of the earth

 

Psa 37:35-36 

35 I have seen the wicked in great power,  And spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil. 36 But one passed by, and, lo, he was not (he was no more):   Yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

Daniel 4:23-26

23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew down the tree, and destroy it; nevertheless leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field, and let it be wet with the dew of heaven: and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him; 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which is come upon my lord the king: 25 that thou shalt be driven from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and thou shalt be made to eat grass as oxen, and shalt be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee; till thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule. 

Symbols

Watcher/Holy one coming down from heaven	Decree from Most High God
Hew down tree/destroy it	Cut down Nebuchadnezzar, driven from men,
leave the stump of the roots of the tree (Nebuchadnezzar)	his kingdom will be kept alive altho in diminished capacity?
stump, with a band of iron/brass,	??
in the tender grass of the field, stump wet with the dew of heaven	and thou shalt be made to eat grass as oxen, Nebuchadnezzar wet with dew of heaven
portion be with the beasts of the field	dwelling with the beasts of the field
till seven times pass over him	Seven times shall pass over Nebuchadnezzar
till thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will	after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.
Nebuchadnezzar was a tree	and now is a stump

Should he have already known that God/heaven rules in kingdom of men?

Yes in Dan 3, God overruled Nebuchadnezzar when He kept alive Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego despite their refusal to bow down to his idol.

Dan 4:27-30

27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if there may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. 28 All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of twelve months he was walking in the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king spake 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? 

Daniel's warning

1. Discontinue sinning by doing right

2. Discontinue your perversities by showing mercy to the poor

3. Maybe your prosperity will be lengthened? 

What sin was Nebuchadnezzar guilty of?

Pride

Pride - Some of the warning signs of a proud heart are:

1. Usually thinks that he is right.

2. Easily offended.

3. Does not like to be corrected.

4. Often complains about circumstances or people.

5. Usually ungrateful.

6. Often impatient with others and sometimes with God.

7. Not afraid of temptations.

8. Secretly ashamed of serving Christ.

9. Likes to talk more than listen; freely offers opinions.

10. Desires to be first or best.

11. Needs to be noticed.

12. Obstinate towards authority.

13. Quick to find fault with others.

14. Bold to contradict others.

15. Demanding and hard to please.

16. Much more sensitive to personal desires than to the needs of others.

17. Boasts about achievements.

18. Lives beyond his means. 

19. Has a hard time forgiving others.

20. Pride makes people covetous, liars, flatterers, hypocrites, men-pleasers, and contentious.

Do we see ourselves anywhere in this list? Or perhaps you might be like me, for I looked desperately for a line which did not at times apply to me! Praise God for Pr 28:13, 1John 1:9.

1Jn 1:9 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Forgive vs cleanse?

Dan 4:31-33

31 While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken: The kingdom is departed from thee: 32 and thou shalt be driven from men; and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field; thou shalt be made to eat grass as oxen; and seven times shall pass over thee; until thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hair was grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws. 

See anything different about what occurred to Nebuchadnezzar vs Daniel's interpretation?

1. descriptive words such as "his hair was grown like eagles" and "his nails like birds"

2. What might the band of "iron and brass" around stump mean?

****Note: a deep under-the-surface story of the meaning of iron and brass in Bible***

Gen 4:22 

And Zillah, she also bare Tubal-cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of brass and iron: and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

Lev 26:18-20 

18 And if ye will not yet for these things hearken unto me, then I will chastise you seven times more for your sins. 19 And I will break the pride of your power: and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass; 20 and your strength shall be spent in vain; for your land shall not yield its increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruit.

Job 41:27 

He counteth iron as straw,  And brass as rotten wood.

Jer 6:28 They are all grievous revolters, going about with slanders; they are brass and iron: they all of them deal corruptly.

1Co 3:12-15 

12 But if any man buildeth on the foundation gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble (straw); 13 each man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself shall prove each man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work shall abide which he built thereon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as through fire.

Dan 4:34-37

34 And at the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him that liveth for ever; for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation; 35 and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? 36 At the same time mine understanding returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added unto 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 that walk in pride he is able to abase.

Change in Nebuchadnezzar?

1. Lifted his eyes toward heaven and understanding returned

2. I bless, praise and honor the Most High

3. Dominion is everlasting (vs 34)

4. Kingdom from generation to generation (vs 34)

Both of these are opposite of Dan 4:3

Dan 4:3 

"...his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation." 

Dan 4:34 

"...his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation;"

5. inhabitants of the earth are as nothing; he is the Big Boss on earth and in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and no one can hinder Him, or say, What are you doing?

6. More greatness added to Nebuchadnezzar at the end than at the beginning

7. Dan 4:37 

He …."praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice" 

8. and those that walk in pride he is able to abase (humble)

Commentary

"Baldwin" notes that information concerning Nebuchadnezzar’s last thirty years is sparse, and no record of the king’s illness has been found in Babylonian annals. Yet such a humiliating experience certainly would have been omitted from official accounts, for “corroboration of it [the illness] can hardly ever be expected from archaeology, for royal families do not leave memorials of such frailties.”

Nebuchadnezzar's end?

Bible chronologists estimate that Nebuchadnezzar’s affliction came to an end approximately one year before his death, in 563-562 B.C.

***If time, show SHARE the timeline.***

***Prob should be 571BC-ish, 567BC.

Meaning? - thoughts?

1. Possible just a king who was humbled and repented

2. Probably an example of Gods NT people, who see the "son of Man" in the furnace in Dan 3, think they rein on the earth, and God humbles them in this chapter. 

3. Is "and all flesh was fed from it" in Dan 4:12 is a reference to food? Or flesh?

4. Tree used in parable by Jesus in Luke 13, Matt 13 and Mark 4

5. Babylon is spoken of in Rev 18 as having "fallen, fallen" like a tree

6. America?

My dream

7/2011

Dream that a tree at a house in HH was being cut down in very quick fashion by what appeared to be an angel. It was cut through like butter. **Warning**

Daniel 4 "The Tree"

 Various ways God speaks to us or thru us.

1. Dreams

2. Scripture

3. Difficulties

4. Creation/Nature

5. Holy Spirit

6. GOD SPEAKS THROUGH WHATEVER OR WHOMEVER HE CHOOSES, BUT NEVER IN DISAGREEMENT WITH THE BIBLE

Can/Does God speak thru unholy people in some form or fashion?

Yes

Examples:

1. Nebuchadnezzar

2. John 11:49-51  

49 But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50 nor do ye take account that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. 51 Now this he said not of himself: but, being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation;

3. John 7:35 

The Jews therefore said among themselves, Whither will this man go that we shall not find him? will he go unto the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?

Kansas - The Wall - https://genius.com/Kansas-the-wall-lyrics

U2 - Streets Have No Name - https://genius.com/U2-where-the-streets-have-no-name-lyrics

Billy Joel - The River Of Dreams - https://genius.com/Billy-joel-the-river-of-dreams-lyrics

ELO - Waterfall - https://genius.com/Electric-light-orchestra-waterfall-lyrics

ELO - Evil Woman - https://genius.com/Electric-light-orchestra-evil-woman-lyrics

4. ELO- "Waterfall" lyrics

"Nebuchadnezzar's dream was for latter days"

So now it's getting late, for those who hesitate, got no one,

But they don't understand and no one hears the sound, (HS)

It's like a waterfall, it's an illusion.

Remember: 

The image/idol in Dan 2 was also a word that meant "phantom"

Chorus

Love is all, waterfall, love is what you are, (Message of illusion of today)

Pulls you in, takes you down, it's a sad affair,

But you know as you hold back the power there (HS)

without the friends 

And lovers you could never go on living. (Won't live spiritually)

Across the waterfall that's falling evermore down on you,

Cascading through the days, and flowing on it's way,

That's how it has to be, just an illusion.

Chorus 2x's

Scattered seed in a rock song?

Mat 13:3-9 

3 And he spake to them many things in parables, saying, Behold, the sower went forth to sow; 4 and as he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the birds came and devoured them: 5 and others fell upon the rocky places, where they had not much earth: and straightway they sprang up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 and when the sun was risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 And others fell upon the thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked them: 8 and others fell upon the good ground, and yielded fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He that hath ears, let him hear.

***Maybe these songs are an example of seed Jesus scatters on various ground. 

1. The way side

2. Rocky places

3. Thorns

4. Good ground

GOD SPEAKS THROUGH WHATEVER OR WHOMEVER HE CHOOSES, BUT NEVER IN DISAGREEMENT WITH THE BIBLE

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***Show "Timelines for Daniel 4.jpg" on Zoom***

Dan 4:1-4

1 Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all the peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied unto you. 2 It hath seemed good unto me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God hath wrought toward me. 3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation. 4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace. 

Nebuchadnezzar seems to have reflected alittle and comes up with a few 'slightly' different conclusions:

1. Most High God shows him signs and wonders

What signs? and wonders?

1. His Dreams & Visions - signs

2. Daniel telling Nebuchadnezzar his dream and interpretation - wonder 

3. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego surviving fiery furnace - wonder

2. Great are His signs 

3. Mighty are His wonders - God is able to overrule him

4. His kingdom is everlasting - perpetual

5. Dominion is from generation to generation - age to age

**Wonder where the last two items came from? (Everlasting AND "generation to generation")

Did he began to re-think his dream of the statue or image (of gold, silver, brass, iron and iron/clay)? 

1. Maybe it's not something he has to create?

After all Nebuchadnezzar says in verse 4 "I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace"

2. Maybe he realizes the various metals in the statue represent various kingdoms thru time?

3. Maybe the Most High God (and the little gods) are much bigger than I realize

4. Most High can overrule "me" even though Daniel told me that He has given me "the kingdom"

Dan 4:5-7

5 I saw a dream which made me afraid; and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. 6 Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then came in the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers; and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof. 

Nebuchadnezzar has fearful dream / thoughts frighten him

1. Calls wisemen to interpret dream

2. Magicians

3. Enchanters

4. Soothsayers - determined, to cut out, to quarry

Interesting:

Same group of 'wisemen' as Dan 2:2 except "soothsayers" weren't summoned by Nebuchadnezzar then as they are here. Yet, in Dan 2:27, Daniel mentions ALL the various wisemen and includes the "soothsayers" as part of the group that are unable reveal the secret to the king.

Dan 4:8-9

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: and I told the dream before him, saying, 9 O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof. 

Daniel to the rescue

-wonder why didn't he come in with the other wisemen?

-maybe because he is the boss of wisemen (Dan 2:48) and reports separately? 

Here is Nebuchadnezzar's description of Daniel:

1. Master of the magicians (Dan 2:48) (vs 9)

2. Spirit of the holy gods is in thee? (vs 9)

-Or God?

-why not "Most High God"

3. No secret troubles thee (vs 9)

Nebuchadnezzar says:

1. Says tell me the visions of my dream

2. Tell me the interpretation

**Does he ask for both the vision/dream AND the interpretation AGAIN???

-some interpretations use "hear"

The Dream

Daniel 4:10-12

10 Thus were the visions of my head upon my bed: I saw, and, behold, a tree in the midst of the earth; and the height thereof was great. 11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth. 12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was food for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the birds of the heavens dwelt in the branches thereof, and all flesh was fed from it. 

TREE (which Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream)

1. in the midst of the earth with great height (vs 10)

2. Tree grew, was strong (vs 11) 

Matt 13:31-32

31 Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 32 which indeed is less than all seeds; but when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the heaven come and lodge in the branches thereof.

Also Mark 4:30-32, Luke 13: 18-19

3. Height reached to heaven (vs11)

4. Could be seen by whole earth (vs 11)

5. Beautiful leaves and abundant fruit ( vs 12)

6. In it was food for all (vs 12)

7. Beast of field found shade under it (vs 12)

8. Birds of heaven lived in its branches (vs 12)

9. AND ALL FLESH WAS FED FROM IT (vs 12)

Daniel 4:13-15

13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and a holy one came down from heaven. 14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off its branches, shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from its branches. 15 Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven: and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth: 

Watcher and/or a Holy One came down from heaven (vs 13)

1. Said "chop the tree down, cut off its branches" (vs 14)

Eze 31

2. "Shake off its leaves, scatter it's fruit" (vs 14)

3. "Let the beasts flee from under it" (vs 14)

4. "Let the birds flee from its branches" (vs 14)

5. Leave the stump of its roots in the earth (vs 15)

6. Bound with band of iron and brass amid the tender grass of the field (vs 15)

7. Let it (him) (the stump?) be wet with the dew of heaven (vs 15)

Dan 4:16-17

16 let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him. 17 The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones; to the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the lowest of men.

HIM?

8. Let HIS (?) portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth (vs 15)

9. Let HIS heart be changed from man's and let a beast heart be given to HIM (vs 16)

10. Let seven times pass over HIM (vs 16)

The Sentence (vs 17)

1. Decreed by watchers and/or "word" of Holy Ones (vs 17)

2. The intent is so "the living will know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men" (vs 17)

3. And gives it to whomever he will (vs 17)

4. And sets it over the lowest of men (vs 18)

Dan 4:18-19

18 This dream I, king Nebuchadnezzar, have seen; and thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation; but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee. 19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was stricken dumb for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. The king answered and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine adversaries.

-the wisemen can't interpret the dream, let's get Daniel, he'll be able to

-the spirit of the holy gods is in him

-why was Daniel stricken dumb and his thoughts troubled him?

-Nebuchadnezzar "let not the dream or interpretation trouble you"