Daniel Explains Nebuchadnezzar’s Second Dream

Topic: Honesty
Passage: Daniel 4:19–27

June 30, 2021

Commentary

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 (NET)

19 Then Daniel (whose name is also Belteshazzar) was upset for a brief time; his thoughts were alarming him. The king said, “Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream and its interpretation alarm you.” But Belteshazzar replied, “Sir, if only the dream were for your enemies and its interpretation applied to your adversaries! 20 The tree that you saw that grew large and strong, whose top reached to the sky, and that could be seen in all the land, 21 whose foliage was attractive and its fruit plentiful, and from which there was food available for all, under whose branches wild animals used to live, and in whose branches birds of the sky used to nest— 22 it is you, O king! For you have become great and strong. Your greatness is such that it reaches to heaven, and your authority to the ends of the earth. 23 As for the king seeing a holy sentinel coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its taproot in the ground, with a band of iron and bronze around it, surrounded by the grass of the field. Let it become damp with the dew of the sky, and let it live with the wild animals, until seven periods of time go by for him’— 24 this is the interpretation, O king. It is the decision of the Most High that this has happened to my lord the king. 25 You will be driven from human society, and you will live with the wild animals. You will be fed grass like oxen, and you will become damp with the dew of the sky. Seven periods of time will pass by for you, before you understand that the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms and gives them to whomever he wishes. 26 They said to leave the taproot of the tree, for your kingdom will be restored to you when you come to understand that heaven rules. 27 Therefore, O king, may my advice be pleasing to you. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps your prosperity will be prolonged.”