DANIEL - CHAPTER FOUR

    I.      INTRODUCTION 

A.   Chapters 3-6 set forth the moral and religious aspects of the times of the Gentiles.

1.    Ch. 3 - humanism

2.    Ch. 4 - false pride

3.    Ch. 5 - pleasure and wealth

B.   God is outlining the complete picture of Gentile world rule.

C.   Chapter 4 is autobiographical - it is the testimony of Nebuchadnezzar’s:

1.    Attitudes

2.    God’s dealings with him

3.    Conversion

    II.     THE REGENERATED KING SPEAKS (vs. 1-3)

A.   A declaration to all the peoples of his empire

1.     Went into the records as a Babylonian state document

2.     Has all the marks of a royal edict

B.   Nebuchadnezzar wanted all the world to know what God had done for him.

C.   His words of praise (v. 3)

  III.      RELATING THE DREAM (vs. 4-16)

A.   “Soul....take thine ease” (cf. Luke 12:19)

B.   The troubled monarch (v. 5)

C.   Calling for the interpreters

1.    The magicians first

2.    Daniel second

3.    When all other worldly efforts fail, Daniel appears

4. The lesson: Psalm 118:8; 1:1

D.   The use of Daniel’s name (v. 8)

1.     Before his conversion Nebuchadnezzar called Daniel after the name of his favorite god - Bel (Belteshazzar).

2.     After his conversion he calls him by his godly Hebrew name.

E.   The substance of the dream (vs. 10-16)

1.    A tree spread out (vs. 10-12)

2.    A tree cut down (v. 14)

3.    A tree with its stump and roots left (v. 15)

4.    A madman (vs. 15, 16)

a.    Like a beast in thought and action (heart)

b.    Like a beast for seven long years

  IV.      THE REASON FOR THE DECREE (v. 17) Cf. James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:6

   V.      THE REVELATION IN THE DREAM (vs. 18-26)

A.   Nebuchadnezzar is the tree cut down (v. 22)

       Though the head of the world’s greatest government, he would lose his throne.

B.   Nebuchadnezzar is the madman. (v. 23)

       Though the world’s greatest monarch, he would become a like a beast.

  VI.      THE REACTION OF DANIEL (v. 27)

 VII.      THE REBELLION OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR (vs. 28-30)

A.   He had a year to think on the dream.

B.   He had a year to repent of his sins.

C.   He continues in his old ways.

1.    He only hardens his heart.

2.    God’s longsuffering terminates and His patience runs out (Cf. Genesis 6:3; 2 Peter 3:9)

VIII.     THE RETRIBUTION OF GOD (vs. 31-33)

  IX.      THE RESTORATION OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR (vs. 34-37)

A.   Occurred only when he lifted his eyes and heart to heaven

1.    When he was ready to surrender his proud will to God

2.    All beasts look down, but man is made to look up. (Isaiah 45:22; John 3:14)

B.   Evidence of the king’s changed heart is seen in that he praised and honored God.

C.   He has now a whole new perspective of man. (v. 35)

D.   He was blessed in the last days of his life. (v. 36)

   X.      THE RELATION OF THE DREAM TO PROPHECY

A.   Nebuchadnezzar (the tree) is representative of Gentile world government.

1.    Succeeded in conquering the “entire” world

2.    He unified all people under one great system of Babylonian government (Cf. Revelation 13)

B.   The madman - representative of the prideful course of man during the times of the Gentiles, especially during the Tribulation

C.   Seven times - or seven years, speaks of the Tribulation Period after which time Gentile rule will come to an end. 

D.   The stump and roots of the tree - speaks of the conversion of the nations when the Lord returns in glory (Matthew 25:32-46)

1.    Not as nations that receive salvation

2.    But as the individuals who make up the nations

       (Matthew 25:32 - “ethne” - multitudes of individuals)

                                                                      End of Chapter 4