DANIEL LESSON 5


     We will begin this lesson in Daniel 4:1 "Nebuchadnezzar the king,
unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth;
Peace be multiplied unto you."

     Nebuchadnezzar is sending a message to all the world, and not
just to his people.

     Daniel 4:2 "I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that
the high God hath wrought toward me."

     Nebuchadnezzar is convinced the things that Daniel did, and the
things that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego did, were signs from God
to cause him to believe. He is convinced that God is the high God, and
now, he will proclaim it to all who will believe.

     Daniel 4:3 "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."

     Nebuchadnezzar is elevating God the only way he knows how. His
words are praising God, and all of His deeds. The statements are true.
God's kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. His dominion is of all men,
and reaches from generation to generation.

     Daniel 4:4  "I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and
flourishing in my palace:"

     This is the beginning of the account of his dream and Daniel's
interpretation of that dream. It is an understatement to say that his
reign was flourishing. He was the undisputed ruler of Babylon, and all
of their captives. He was safe in his bed in his palace.

     Daniel 4:5 "I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts
upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me."

     These is speaking of the dream he had of the image that had the
golden head. He not only was frightened by the dream, but forgot the
details of the dream, as well.

     Daniel 4:6 "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."

     It was urgent for him to know the meaning of his dream, and he
called all of those he knew that interpreted dreams to him. Surely one
of them would be able to tell him of his dream.

     Daniel 4:7 "Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the
Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but
they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof."

     We discussed in a previous lesson, that their power was from
Satan, and was very limited. They were depending on flesh and Satan.
Neither thing helped with the dream. They were about to be killed,
because they did not know the meaning of the dream.

     Daniel 4:8  "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 before him I told the dream,
[saying],"

     Belteshazzar was the name Nebuchadnezzar had given Daniel to
honor a false god. We see that Nebuchadnezzar is still believing in
many gods at this point. This reminds us, that it was Daniel who tells
the king the meaning of his dream. It is God in Daniel who tells of
the dream.

     Daniel 4:9 "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."

     This is the beginning of a new dream. This has nothing to do with
the last few verses, except they showed why Nebuchadnezzar had
confidence in Daniel to interpret this dream. Notice the title,
master. He had given Daniel that title after he interpreted
Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Nebuchadnezzar has recognized that God is with
Daniel and will give him the interpretation. It is interesting that he
used the term {the spirit of the holy gods is in thee}. He feels that
no dream is too hard for Daniel to interpret.

     Daniel 4:10 "Thus [were] the visions of mine head in my bed; I
saw, and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height
thereof [was] great."

     This is a night vision, or perhaps, a dream. In dreams, trees
sometimes mean men. This, of course, is speaking of Nebuchadnezzar,
himself, who has found such greatness as king of Babylon.

     Daniel 4:11 "The tree grew, and was strong, and the height
thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all
the earth:"

     We see in this, that Nebuchadnezzar had become great, not only in
his own land, but in many other countries that he had conquered, as
well.

     Daniel 4:12 "The leaves thereof [were] fair, and the fruit
thereof much, and in it [was] meat for all: the beasts of the field
had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs
thereof, and all flesh was fed of it."

     This great land under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar had flourished.
God had used them to win battles against His beloved Israel. They had
brought great wealth and many people back with them as captives. It
seemed everything they did prospered. There was plenty of food for the
captives, as well as for the Babylonians.

     Daniel 4:13 "I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and,
behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;"

     God sees and knows everything that goes on, on the earth. He is
the all seeing Eye. He is the Watchman.

     Daniel 4:14 "He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree,
and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit:
let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his
branches:"

     This speaks of God looking down on Nebuchadnezzar, and judging
him. It is God who elevates a man up to be king. It is, also, God who
judges him, and brings him down.

     Daniel 4:15 "Nevertheless leave the stump of his 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:"

     This speaks of judgement without total destruction. "Brass"
always symbolizes judgement. "Iron" is speaking of worldly strength.
This is speaking of a time, when Nebuchadnezzar will be no more than
an animal. He will eat grass, and drink of the dew that falls.

     Daniel 4:16 "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."

     This is really speaking of a man who has lost his power to
reason. Perhaps, it is speaking of a mental collapse. The "seven
times" is speaking of seven years, or at least seven periods of time.
This illness that brings this about, is a judgement from God {it drops
like dew from heaven}.

     Daniel 4:17 "This matter [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 basest of men."

     This is somewhat interpreted by Nebuchadnezzar. He is aware of
the judgement of God. He is, also, aware that God is proving that it
is He that elevates a man to be a king. It is, also, God who brings a
man down. God was with Nebuchadnezzar, when he attacked Judah. The
attack was actually a judgement of God. He went too far in his attack.
He did things God had not told him to do. Now, it is his turn to be
judged.

     Daniel 4:18 "This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now
thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, 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."

     Nebuchadnezzar is confident that Daniel can interpret this dream
accurately. He has seen that Daniel interpreted his other dream, when
no one else could. He recognizes the fact that Daniel's power to
interpret is from God.

     Daniel 4:19  "Then Daniel, whose name [was] Belteshazzar, was
astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake,
and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation
thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the
dream [be] to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to
thine enemies."

     The astonishment of Daniel was at the meaning of the dream. For
one hour he waited to give the interpretation, because he knew it was
not a good dream for Nebuchadnezzar. His thoughts were troubled,
because of the reaction Nebuchadnezzar might have to the
interpretation. Nebuchadnezzar encourages Daniel. He, probably,
already knows the dream is a bad one. Daniel explains to him that this
dream would please his enemies, and not him.

     Daniel 4:20 "The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was
strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to
all the earth;" Daniel 4:21 "Whose leaves [were] fair, and the fruit
thereof much, and in it [was] meat for all; under which the beasts of
the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had
their habitation:"  Daniel 4:22 "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."

     This part of the dream will be pleasing to Nebuchadnezzar. He
knows that the message is true. He has conquered, and become great in
the known world. He was thought of as one of the most powerful kings
who had reigned to that time. There was no more beautiful city
anywhere, than Babylon with their hanging gardens. There were people
of many nations living in Babylon at this time. There was food enough
for all.

     Daniel 4:23 "And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one
coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy
it; yet 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;"

     Nothing escapes God. He knows all that happens in the earth. The
tree is Nebuchadnezzar. God has judged him, and found him guilty. He
will not die, but will lose his mind, and go to the field as an
animal, and eat grass. The seven times could be 7 years, 7 months, or
7 days. I really believe it is speaking of years.

     Daniel 4:24 "This [is] the interpretation, O king, and this [is]
the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:"
     The decree in this is speaking of the judgement of God. God
speaks it, and it will be. It is not the world that judged
Nebuchadnezzar, or even Daniel; it is God.

     Daniel 4:25 "That they shall drive thee from men, and thy
dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make
thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee 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."

     The purpose in this is that Nebuchadnezzar will recognize God for
who He really is. He must learn that a man is king, because God made
him king, and for no other reason. Grass and water is to be his menu.
The word "times" is sometimes used to mean a year. A very good example
of that is time, times, and half a time; later on in the book of
Daniel.

     Daniel 4:26 "And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the
tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt
have known that the heavens do rule."

     Nebuchadnezzar will not be killed. God will just humble him. He
will not even lose the kingdom. He is not banished. He must learn that
God rules everything on the earth, as well as in heaven. When he
learns his lesson, he will be sound of mind again.

     Daniel 4:27 "Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto
thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by
shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy
tranquillity."

     This is Daniel encouraging Nebuchadnezzar to repent and receive
righteousness in his life. He must do good, and not evil. Daniel wants
Nebuchadnezzar to accept this interpretation with as much eagerness as
the first one. Daniel says, if he will quickly repent and show mercy,
then God will let him live in peace.

     Daniel 4:28  "All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar."

     This is not for the nation and its people, this is for
Nebuchadnezzar as an individual.

     Daniel 4:29 "At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace
of the kingdom of Babylon."

     It appears from this, that nothing happened in the next twelve
months. Probably, Nebuchadnezzar thought the interpretation would not
come about, since it had been this long. God does not regard time, as
you and I do.

     Daniel 4:30 "The king spake, and 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?"
     Nebuchadnezzar is almost mocking God in this statement. He says
Babylon is still here, and I am still king. Where is the fulfillment
of this dream you interpreted? Notice, in the verse above,
Nebuchadnezzar gives himself credit for building his kingdom. It is
interesting, too, that all of this was not done for the glory of God,
but for the glory of Nebuchadnezzar.

     Daniel 4:31 "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."

     He did not heed the voice of Daniel, who interpreted his dream.
This voice does not speak through Daniel. This voice came from heaven
itself. This judgement is unquestionable. It does not come from the
mouth of man, but the mouth of God.

     Daniel 4:32 "And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling
[shall be] with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee 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."

     These are the same Words Daniel had given him. He will eat grass
and live like an animal, until he realizes it is God who makes kings.

     Daniel 4:33 "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 hairs were grown
like eagles' [feathers], and his nails like birds' [claws]."

     This is an instant fulfillment of the judgement. Nails, that have
not been cut for seven years, would be like bird's claws. His hair
would grow extremely long and straight in a period of seven years,
also. This is the description of a man who has lost his mind. Seven
speaks of spiritual completeness.

     Daniel 4:34 "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 honoured him that liveth
for ever, whose dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom
[is] from generation to generation:"

     When the judgement was complete, Nebuchadnezzar's mind was
restored, and he worshipped God. His spiritual growth is complete. He
now worships and praises the One True God.

     Daniel 4:35 "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?"

     Now, Nebuchadnezzar knows that nothing, or no one, has any
control, except God. God commands the sun to shine, and it does.
Heaven and earth must bow before Him. He alone is God. Deuteronomy
4:39 "Know therefore this day, and consider [it] in thine heart, that
the LORD he [is] God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath:
[there is] none else." Ephesians 4:6 "One God and Father of all, who
[is] above all, and through all, and in you all."

     Daniel 4:36 "At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for
the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me;
and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established
in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me."

     The root of the tree {Nebuchadnezzar} has been watered from
heaven. He now springs to life. His kingdom is restored to him, as
well as honor as king. The difference is that Nebuchadnezzar, now,
knows God. His wisdom, now, is of God. God will greatly bless him.

     Daniel 4:37 "Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the
King of heaven, all whose works [are] truth, and his ways judgment:
and those that walk in pride he is able to abase."

     We, now, see an humble man who happens to be king. He is, now,
aware that what we are is because of God. He brings us up, or takes us
down. God does whatever it takes to make us realize our need for Him.
God punished him for his own good. He did it to make him seek God. He,
now, understands the sovereignty of God.






























                          Daniel 5 Questions


1.  Who sends the message in verse 1?
2.  What does Nebuchadnezzar believe were signs to him from God?
3.  Quote Daniel chapter 4 verse 3.
4.  What understatement does Nebuchadnezzar make in verse 4?
5.  Who had Nebuchadnezzar first called to interpret his dream?
6.  Who interpreted the dream?
7.  What was Daniel's Babylonian name?
8.  What request does Nebuchadnezzar make of Daniel in verse 9?
9.  In dreams, trees sometimes are speaking of _______.
10. Who is the tree speaking of?
11. Who is the Watcher of verse 13?
12. What did the Watcher say to do to the tree?
13. Who elevates kings, or brings them down?
14. What is verse 15 speaking of?
15. What does "brass" symbolize?
16. How do we know Nebuchadnezzar will be no more than an animal?
17. Having a beast's heart is saying, he has lost his power to
    ________.
18. Judgement comes on him like what?
19. Why is this happening to Nebuchadnezzar?
20. The attack on Judah was actually a _____________ of God.
21. Why does Nebuchadnezzar believe Daniel can interpret his dream?
22. Why was Daniel astonished at the dream?
23. How long did he wait to give the interpretation?
24. Who is the tree in the dream?
25. "Times" often means what?
26. What is the decree?
27. Why is this judgement coming against Nebuchadnezzar?
28. What is Daniel encouraging Nebuchadnezzar to do?
29. How many months passed with nothing happening?
30. How does he nearly mock God?
31. Describe how the judgement came?
32. What happened to Nebuchadnezzar's hair and nails during this long
    time?
33. These are descriptions of a man who has ________ his _______.
34. When was his mind restored?
35. Quote Deuteronomy chapter 4 verse 39.
36. What was restored to Nebuchadnezzar?
37. How was he restored?
38. What is different about Nebuchadnezzar, now?
39. Why did God punish him?
40. He, now, understands the _______________ of God.