Daniel 4 (3)

Introduction
Nebuchadnezzar reports his strange and troubling dream to Daniel. He surely had an idea that this dream was about him, but he could not interpret the meaning of what he had seen. His vision reminds us of an earlier attempt to reach the heavens and create a place of power and security. Jesus would borrow on Nebuchadnezzar’s dream to teach about the Kingdom of God in Matthew 13.31, 32. But whereas Nebuchadnezzar’s dream presented a kingdom frail and faltering, the Kingdom Jesus declared never ceases to increase.

Read Genesis 11.1-9.

Read Daniel 4.10-18.

Think it Through
1.  Summarize Nebuchadnezzar’s vision. What did he see? Why was this tree of great height a good way of thinking about Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom? What similarities can you identify between the tree in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and the tower of Babel? Do you think God still judges hubris, whether of men or nations? Explain.

2.  We note the mention of “a watcher, a holy one” (v. 13) and “watchers” and “holy ones” (v. 17) as involved with conveying this dream. Who are these beings? What seems to be their purpose? Why are they called “watchers”? Are they still active today? What did God want Nebuchadnezzar to learn from this vision? Is that lesson still valid?

Meditate
“This is what the angel means, that the fate of the tree will come to pass for this purpose, for everyone to know through this that there is one God, Lord and King, who appoints kings on the earth and entrusts the kingdom to whomever he wishes.” Theodoret of Cyr (393-466 AD)

Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” Matthew 13.31, 32

Lord Jesus, only one Kingdom, and only one King will never fail, and I am a citizen and ambassador of that Kingdom! Thank You, Lord, and help me show my gratitude today by…

Pray Psalm 51.1-4.
We do not know the half of our sins, so it’s good to confess and seek cleansing from any pride or other sin that can keep us from knowing the presence and power of the Lord (Ps. 66.18).

Psalm 51.1-6 (Passion Chorale: O Sacred Head, Now Wounded)
Be gracious to me, Savior, according to Your love!
According to Your mercy, my sins, my sins remove!
O wash me, precious Savior, and cleanse me from all sin;
Look on me with Your favor, and cause my grief to end.

Against You only, Savior have I become unclean;
Thus just the condemnation which You pronounce on me.
Lord, I was born to sinning, while You seek truth within;
To wisdom my heart winning, release me from my sin!

T. M Moore

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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.