Date written: October 7th, 2007
Scripture ref: Daniel 4:1-3<\/p>\n
SUBJECT: Pride, Humility<\/p>\n
TITLE: Studies in Daniel – God’s Preeminence<\/p>\n
PROPOSITION: In this passage we have 1) A Message, 2) The Meaning, 3) A Mistake and a Misfit, 4) A Moral 5) Lessons from the text.<\/p>\n
OBJECTIVE: That each of us would know and understand the destructive power of pride.<\/p>\n
INTRODUCTION:<\/p>\n
1. Read: Daniel 4:1-3<\/p>\n
2. About the Text:<\/p>\n
1) The book of Daniel takes place in the lands east of Palestine in modern day Iraq.<\/p>\n
2) Daniel’s life spans many years and over several rulers.<\/p>\n
3) Chapter four occurs while Nebuchadnezzar is still king.<\/p>\n
4) This chapter appears to be recorded from Nebuchadnezzar’s perspective.<\/p>\n
5) It seems to be a letter written from him to all the subjects in his kingdom.<\/p>\n
6) The purpose of the letter is to show the great signs and wonders that God had done to him.<\/p>\n
7) Nebuchadnezzar then praises God for his signs, wonders, and great kingdom.<\/p>\n
8) Let’s study together the chapter we’re entitling God’s Preeminence.<\/p>\n
3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.<\/p>\n
DISCUSSION: In this chapter we have…<\/p>\n
I. A Message (Daniel 4:4-18)<\/p>\n
1. The dream delivered (4-5).<\/p>\n
1) Nebuchadnezzar was resting in his house.<\/p>\n
2) He received a dream.<\/p>\n
3) The dream made him afraid.<\/p>\n
4) The thoughts and visions of the dream troubled him.<\/p>\n
2. The decree to declare the dream (6-8).<\/p>\n
1) Nebuchadnezzar decreed that all the wise men come before him.<\/p>\n
2) He wanted them to interpret the dream for him.<\/p>\n
3) None were able to do this.<\/p>\n
4) Then Daniel arrived.<\/p>\n
3. The dream declared (9-18).<\/p>\n
1) Daniel is asked to interpret the dream<\/p>\n
2) Nebuchadnezzar saw a tall tree in the middle of the earth.<\/p>\n
3) This tree was so tall it could be seen throughout all the earth.<\/p>\n
4) This tree provided for the birds and the beasts of the whole earth.<\/p>\n
a. It provided beauty.<\/p>\n
b. It provided protection.<\/p>\n
c. It provided food.<\/p>\n
d. It provided shelter.<\/p>\n
5) Nebuchadnezzar then saw a watcher or holy one, a saint. (This may have been an angel of the highest order.)<\/p>\n
6) The watcher shouted.<\/p>\n
7) He said to cut down the tree, all of its branches, strip the leaves and scatter the fruit.<\/p>\n
8) Nevertheless he said to leave the stump with a band of iron and brass.<\/p>\n
9) Then the language changes from describing the tree to describing a man.<\/p>\n
10) Dreams often change suddenly like this and without apparent reason.<\/p>\n
11) He was to be wet with the dew of heaven.<\/p>\n
12) He was to exist with the beasts of the earth.<\/p>\n
13) His heart was to be changed from that of a man to a beast.<\/p>\n
14) Seven times were to pass over him while he was in this state.<\/p>\n
15) The decree was from the watchers and holy ones.<\/p>\n
16) The decree was to let the living know that…<\/p>\n
a. The most High rules in the kingdom of men,<\/p>\n
b. Gives it to whoever He wills,<\/p>\n
c. And sets it up over the basest of men.<\/p>\n
17) Nebuchadnezzar says that he saw this dream and expressed his confidence in Daniel to interpret it.<\/p>\n
II. The Meaning of the Message (Daniel 4:19-27)<\/p>\n
1. Daniel’s reaction (verse 19).<\/p>\n
1) He was astonished for one hour.<\/p>\n
2) His thoughts troubled him.<\/p>\n
3) Nebuchadnezzar tells Daniel not to let the dream trouble him.<\/p>\n
4) Daniel says that the dream is to them that hate thee and to his enemies.<\/p>\n
5) In other words, the dream was against Nebuchadnezzar.<\/p>\n
2. Daniel’s interpretation (20-27).<\/p>\n
1) The tree is king Nebuchadnezzar.<\/p>\n
2) It represented his strength and breadth of his kingdom.<\/p>\n
3) The stump also represented Nebuchadnezzar.<\/p>\n
4) His greatness would be cut off for a period of ?seven times.?<\/p>\n
5) He would be driven from among men.<\/p>\n
6) He would dwell with the beasts of the field.<\/p>\n
7) He would eat grass like cows.<\/p>\n
8) He would do this until he knew that the most High rules in the kingdoms of men.<\/p>\n
9) That the stump wasn’t removed meant that Nebuchadnezzar would return to him after he understood that the heavens do rule.<\/p>\n
10) Daniel then extends the invitation.<\/p>\n
11) He advises Nebuchadnezzar to do the following:<\/p>\n
a. Repent of sins.<\/p>\n
b. Do righteousness.<\/p>\n
c. Show mercy to the poor.<\/p>\n
III. A Mistake and A Misfit (Daniel 4:28-33)<\/p>\n
1. A Mistake (28-31).<\/p>\n
1) Twelve months later, Nebuchadnezzar was walking in the palace.<\/p>\n
2) He said, ?Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty??<\/p>\n
3) A voice then came from heaven saying ?The kingdom is departed from you.?<\/p>\n
4) He was also told.<\/p>\n
a. That he would be driven fro men.<\/p>\n
b. That his dwelling would be with the beasts.<\/p>\n
c. That he would eat grass.<\/p>\n
d. That ?seven times? would pass.<\/p>\n
e. That this would be done until he knew that the most High rules.<\/p>\n
2. A Misfit<\/p>\n
1) So Nebuchadnezzar became a misfit.<\/p>\n
2) He was driven from amongst men.<\/p>\n
3) His understanding was taken away from him.<\/p>\n
4) He lived with the beasts of the field.<\/p>\n
5) He ate grass.<\/p>\n
6) His body became wet with dew.<\/p>\n
7) His hair grew as long as eagle feathers.<\/p>\n
8) His nails became like birds claws.<\/p>\n
IV. A Moral (34-37).<\/p>\n
1. Nebuchadnezzar blesses God.<\/p>\n
1) The time was fulfilled.<\/p>\n
2) His understanding returned to him.<\/p>\n
3) At the end of those days, he made a confession.<\/p>\n
4) This confession was to the most High.<\/p>\n
5) Nebuchadnezzar blessed God.<\/p>\n
6) He praised God.<\/p>\n
7) He honored God.<\/p>\n
8) He confessed that God lived forever.<\/p>\n
9) He confessed that God’s kingdom was an everlasting kingdom.<\/p>\n
10) He confessed that it is from generation to generation.<\/p>\n
2. Nebuchadnezzar was restored to his throne.<\/p>\n
1) His reason returned to him.<\/p>\n
2) His honor and brightness returned to him.<\/p>\n
3) This was for the glory and honor of his kingdom.<\/p>\n
4) His counselors and lords sought him again.<\/p>\n
5) He was established in his kingdom again.<\/p>\n
6) He was given excellent majesty.<\/p>\n
3. Nebuchadnezzar confesses that God rules.<\/p>\n
1) He praised, extolled and honored the King of heaven.<\/p>\n
2) He confessed that his works are truth and his ways judgment.<\/p>\n
3) He acknowledged that God is able to abase those who walk in pride.<\/p>\n
V. Lessons.<\/p>\n
1. God uses the nations of men to care for the people of the earth – 1 Peter 2:13-14 ?submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord?s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.?<\/p>\n
2. There is no nation or leader of a nation that is so great as beyond God’s power to bring it low – Jesus said in John 19:11 ?Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.?<\/p>\n
3. While the dream was bad news for the king, Daniel didn’t refrain from telling it – Ezekiel 3:16-21.<\/p>\n
4. Daniel admonished Nebuchadnezzar to repent of his sin.<\/p>\n
1) Such courage reminds me of Nathan the prophet when he said to David, ?Thou art the man? (2 Samuel 12:7).<\/p>\n
2) Or John the baptizer when he said to Herod, ?It is not lawful for you to have her? (Matthew 14:4).<\/p>\n
5. In order to avoid the punishment of God, we must repent and do righteousness and mercy (Acts 17:30).<\/p>\n
6. God expects leaders of nations to be humble, righteous and merciful – Acts 24:25 – And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.?<\/p>\n
7. God punishes the wicked who refuse to bend their will to God’s – 2 Peter 2:9 ?The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.?<\/p>\n
8. God is able to make all bend the knee to Him, to abase those who walk in pride – James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5 says that God resists the proud.<\/p>\n
9. God’s dominion is everlasting and His kingdom from generation to generation (Hebrews 12:28).<\/p>\n
10. God is to be glorified as being the King and Ruler of all affairs of men – Revelation 17:14, 1 Timothy 6:15.<\/p>\n
11. Pride is destructive (Proverbs 16:18).<\/p>\n
12. We must humble ourselves before God (1 Peter 5:6).<\/p>\n
CONCLUSION:<\/p>\n
1. Let us not forget the pride of king Nebuchadnezzar.<\/p>\n
1) The message.<\/p>\n
2) The meaning.<\/p>\n
3) A mistake and misfit.<\/p>\n
4) A moral.<\/p>\n
2. Invitation<\/p>\n
1) Our mistakes turn us into misfits as well.<\/p>\n
2) We must correct these mistakes by repenting and turning to God in our life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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