Dan 4:32
And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen, and seven times shall pass over you until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”
What Does God’s Word Say:
Seven Times: The number of times
Shall Pass Over You: upon (19x), over (13x), unto (9x), against (7x), concerning (6x), in (6x), for (4x), unto me (4x), about (3x), in him (3x)
Most High: the most High (5x), most high (4x), supreme (i.e. God)
Rules: rule (6x), ruler (2x), captain (1x), lawful (1x). having mastery, having authority, ruling over.
The Kingdom of Men: kingdom (49x), reign (4x), realm (3x), kingly (1x).
man (23x), whosoever (with H3606) (2x).
Gives It: give (4x), bestow (2x), pay (1x).
Whomever He Chooses: whomsoever (4x), who (3x), whoso (2x), what (1x).-
will (9x), his will (1x).
WHAT DOES GOD’S WORD MEAN-
Seven times shall pass over you until you know God Almighty rules in the world of men and gives it to whomever He chooses.
WHAT DOES GOD’S WORD MEAN TO ME-
Dan 4:32
And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen, and seven times shall pass over you until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”
WHAT WILL I DO TO LIVE IT OUT-
Walk in obedience to God.
Daniel Explains the Second Dream Dan 4:19- 37
19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time, and his thoughts troubled him. So, the king spoke, and said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you.”
Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may the dream concern those who hate you, and its interpretation concern your enemies!
20 “The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which could be seen by all the earth, 21 whose leaves were lovely and its fruit abundant, in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the heaven had their home— 22 it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens and your dominion to the end of the earth.
23 “And inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump and roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze in the tender grass of the field; let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him graze with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him’; 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king: 25 They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.
26 “And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules. 27 Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.”
Nebuchadnezzar’s Humiliation
28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?”
31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! 32 And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen, and seven times shall pass over you until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”
33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.
Nebuchadnezzar Praises God
34 And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever:
For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom is from generation to generation.
35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
He does according to His will in the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth.
No one can restrain His hand
Or say to Him, “What have You done?”
36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.
REFLECTION: I learn humility in many ways, we learn as we go but God uses chaining and others through rebuke. By comparing ourselves to him.
EXPLORATION:
1. become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens and your dominion to the end of the earth.
2. He cried aloud and said thus: The watcher (presumably an angel) explained the fate of the tree. He noted that the tree was to be chopped down, and it would lose its size, strength, prominence, beauty, fruit, and shelter. He also said that the tree represented a man who would be changed and given the heart of a beast. “Great men and princes are often represented, in the language of the prophets, under the similitude of trees, see Ezekiel 17:5-6; 31:3 and following; Jeremiah 22:15; Psalm 1:3; 37:35.” (Clarke)
c. Drive you from men… make you eat grass like oxen… wet you with the dew of heaven: When Daniel explained this to Nebuchadnezzar, the king probably couldn’t guess just how literally it would be fulfilled.
d. After you come to know that Heaven rules: This was God’s intended purpose for Nebuchadnezzar. The king could have avoided this humiliating fate if he genuinely humbled himself.
3. The stump would remain in the open field where the grass grew until it should shoot up again; and in a condition strongly resembling that, the monarch would be. God provided for Nebuchadnezzar in grace – He left a “stump.” PRINCIPLE: God has a purpose for our lives as long as we live. The band around the stump was there to protect it from deteriorating. God guaranteed that Nebuchadnezzar would receive his kingdom back.
4. Beginning in this passage Nebuchadnezzar is describing events in the past that preceded and led up to his conversion. At ease - This speaks of the humility of the great king of Babylon, causing him to proclaim protection for all who worship the God of the Hebrews, “I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and flourishing in my palace.”
Job 16:11 God has delivered me to the ungodly,
And turned me over to the hands of the wicked.
Job 16:12 I was at ease, but He has shattered me;
He also has taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces;
He has set me up for His target,
5. He blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever:
6. You won’t win! and you will be humbled.
Reaction:
7. He made it about himself, He was puffed up and haughty in his spirit. He thought he was doing it all.
8. 12 months later
9. He is patient, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression, compassionate and gracious, a God mercy, and relenting of evil,
Isaiah 48:9 “For the sake of My name I delay My wrath, And for My praise, I restrain it for you, in order not to cut you off.
10. If there is pride God cannot be lord.
11. Humility allows God to be Lord it is the opposite of pride.
12. Just being obedient to Him and not doing it my way.
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