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More Daniel commentaries
Daniel 1:1-7
Daniel Taken to Babylon
Daniel 1:8-21
Daniel’s Faithfulness
Daniel 2:1-13
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
Daniel 2:14-23
God Reveals Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
Daniel 2:24-35
Daniel Explains The Dream
Daniel 2:36-43
Daniel Gives a Prophetic Outline of The Dream
Daniel 2:44-49
Daniel is Promoted
Daniel 3:1-7
Nebuchadnezzar’s Golden Statue
Daniel 3:8-18
Daniels’s Friends Disobey The King
Daniel 3:19-30
Saved In a Fiery Trial
Daniel 4:1-18
Nebuchadnezzar’s Second Dream
Daniel 4:19-27
Daniel Explains Nebuchadnezzar’s Second Dream
Daniel 4:28-37
Nebuchadnezzar’s Humiliation
Daniel 5:1-16
King Belshazzar’s Banquet
Daniel 5:17-31
Daniel Interprets The Handwriting
Daniel 6:1-17
Daniel And The Lions Den
Daniel 6:18-28
Daniel Saved From The Lions
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Daniel Explains Nebuchadnezzar’s Second Dream
Daniel 4:19–27
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
The little boy was sent by his mother to buy a 65 cent loaf of bread. While the baker was putting the bread into a bag, the boy noticed that the loaf looked rather small. “Isn’t that a small loaf of bread for 65 cents?” “You’ll have less to carry,” repli … More
Having been told all the details of the dream, the king asked Daniel to interpret them (v. 19). Daniel understood the meanings of the dream but because of the severe judgment that was about to come to the king, he dreaded telling him and just stood speechless for one whole hour. Despite all his faults, Nebuchadnezzar had been kind to Daniel.
Daniel indicated to the king that he would rather see the judgment of this dream fall on his enemies than to come to Nebuchadnezzar himself (v. 19). Upon the insistence of the king Daniel proceeded by repeating the description of the greatness of the tree and then explained that the tree represented Nebuchadnezzar himself (vv. 20-22). He went on to explain how the falling of the tree meant that the king would be driven from his throne and made to dwell among the beasts of the field for seven years (vv. 23-25). He would actually go insane and become as an animal for a set period of time. No matter how powerful a person may become, self-centered pride will push God from his or her life and cause them to forget God.
Nebuchadnezzar in his pride and self confidence had come to believe that it was his own strength and ability that had gotten him his high position. He had to be humbled until he was willing to confess that he was nothing and God was all. Even today God cannot and will not use any person to the fullest until he is ready to make this same confession. Daniel concludes with some sound spiritual counsel by exhorting the king to renounce his sins. This points out the principle that any announced judgment may be averted if there is genuine repentance (vv. 26-27).
Application
I have been in a position where I knew I should talk to someone about their sin but because I liked them so much I hated to talk to them about it. If it happens again I need to go to Proverbs 27:5 which says, “Open rebuke is better than secret love.”
Daniel 4:19-27 (English Standard Version)
Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was dismayed for a while, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king answered and said, "Belteshazzar, let not the dream or the interpretation alarm you." Belteshazzar answered and said, "My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you and its interpretation for your enemies! The tree you saw, which grew and became strong, so that its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth, whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which beasts of the field found shade, and in whose branches the birds of the heavens lived-- it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong. Your greatness has grown and reaches to heaven, and your dominion to the ends of the earth. And because the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, 'Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field, and let him be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven periods of time pass over him,' this is the interpretation, O king: It is a decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king, that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will. And as it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be confirmed for you from the time that you know that Heaven rules. Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity."
View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »
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