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The Scriptorium

What God Has Wrought

Nebuchadnezzar: Preacher of grace!

Daniel 4 (1)

Introduction
Right away we notice something odd about this chapter. It is written by King Nebuchadnezzar as a proclamation to all peoples and nations subject to his jurisdiction. This must be really important.

Read Psalm 51.

Read Daniel 4.1-3.

Think it Through
1.  Let’s linger on that greeting in verse 1. What was Nebuchadnezzar’s wish for the people under his authority? What do you suppose he meant by that? Does this sound like the Nebuchadnezzar of 2 Kings 25 or Daniel 3? Explain. How does this proclamation compare in tone with that of Daniel 3.29?

2.  Nebuchadnezzar laid his cards on the table right up front: His proclamation was a witness to God, His Kingdom, and His dominion. How does this differ from the Nebuchadnezzar we saw in chapter 3? What does this lead you to think about Nebuchadnezzar’s understanding of God and his relationship to Him? How do you suppose this would have been received by people of his empire?

Meditate
“There are kings … who reign on earth, yet not without power from on high. This, of old, Nebuchadnezzar knew from experience when he said, ‘his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.’” Cyril of Jerusalem (315-386 AD)

“Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled themto blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted themeven to foreign cities.” Acts 26.9-11

Lord Jesus, You have power to transform even the chief of sinners, even the most violent of Your enemies! Let that power be at work in me today, Lord, to…

Pray Psalm 51.12-15.
As you pray these words, let the Spirit search your soul, and lead you to confess and repent of any sin. Then praise God for His grace, and go forth to serve Him.

Psalm 51.10-13 (Passion Chorale: O Sacred Head, Now Wounded)
Create in me a clean heart, renew me from within!
Take not Your Spirit from me because of all my sin.
Salvation’s joy restore, Lord, and keep me in Your hand;
Thus shall I tell Your strong Word to sinners in the land.

T. M Moore

For a better understanding of the book of Daniel, and all the books of the Bible, order a copy of the workbook, God’s Covenant, from our online store. The studies in this workbook will show you how the parts of the Bible connect with one another to tell the story of God’s redemption and glory (click here).

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from
The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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