TIMBER FOR NEBUCHADNEZZAR
DANIEL 4:1-37
INTRODUCTION
The Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar had another dream. The last time we read of this King dreaming, Daniel comes on the scene to interpret the vision. Well poor ole Nebuchadnezzar is back to dreaming again. The King had a nightmare. The Bible describes him as being afraid, and troubled, Daniel 4:5. When the King gets upset he has the power to get to the bottom of his problem. Nebuchadnezzar sets out to have his dream interpreted. Daniel 4:6-7.
Before a tree comes crashing down the logger cries out "timber".
For the king of Babylon the God of the universe will soon call out timber!
THE TREE THAT THE KING DREAMED ABOUT
King Nebuchadnezzar called for the soothsayers, astrologers, fortune tellers and Chaldeans to come tell him all about his dream. The Bible says the did not make known unto him the interpretation, Daniel 4:7. They knew better than to try to fool the King. Also there was not a power on earth from tea leaves, the physic friends hotline, fortune cookies, to the horoscopes that could reveal the dream or the interpretation to the King. Many people make a lot of money fooling the public claiming the can tell the future. They would not tell the King about the dream.
Dan. 4:7 Then came in the magicians, the enchanters,
the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers;
and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the
interpretation thereof.
From the captives of Judah he have our hero Daniel, a man of God, a prophet arriving to talk to the King. He is the last wise man called in, Daniel 4:8. The King called Daniel Belte-Shazzar after the name of his false God.
Dan. 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
I told the dream
before him, saying,
The King builds Daniel up with much praise and flattery, calling him the master of the magicians.
Dan. 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.
No doubt King Nebuchadnezzar remembered Daniel interpreting the dream
about the great image, in Daniel chapter two.
The King began to recount that he had been in bed and dreamed about a gigantic tree. This tree was bigger than a water oak, a towering pine or a giant sequoia. This tree would make a redwood look like a seedling. This tree was so large that it was planted in the middle of the earth.
Dan. 4:10 Thus were the visions of my head upon my
bed: I saw, and, behold, a tree
in the midst of the earth; and the height thereof was great.
The tree was growing all the way to heaven, before the eyes of the King.
Dan. 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.
Everybody on earth could see this giant tree. The leaves were fair and the fruit of the tree would feed the people. All the various beasts of the earth camped under the tree. The fowls of the air roosted in its branches.
Dan. 4:11-12 The tree grew, and was strong, and the
height thereof reached unto heaven,
and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth. The
leaves thereof were fair,
and the fruit thereof much, and in it was food for all: the beasts of the
field had
shadow under it, and the birds of the heavens dwelt in the branches thereof,
and
all flesh was fed from it.
From heaven there came a holy one, likely an angel under orders from a watcher of heaven to cut the tree down. The voice from the watcher said, "hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit".
Dan. 4:14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down
the tree, and cut off its branches,
shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit: let the beasts get away from
under it,
and the fowls from its branches.
Have you noticed the tree is called, "his"? The tree is used in a masculine sense according to the watcher. The tree is to be cut down for a span or time of seven.
Dan. 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.
The angel would hew or cut down this tree and cry "timber"!
The tree was to be destroyed down to the roots, everything would be brought down but the stump and the roots. We also hear the watcher say that a man would have his heart changed to the heart of an animal.
Dan. 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.
The judgment on the tree was from heaven for the purpose of showing the world that God controls everything.
Dan. 4:17 The sentence 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 lowest of men.
Nebuchadnezzar confessed this was the dream that had troubled him. This was what he desired Daniel to interpret and explain.
Dan. 4:18 This dream I, king Nebuchadnezzar, have
seen; and thou, O Belteshazzar,
declare the interpretation, 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.
DANIEL DELIVERS THE
MEANING OF THE DREAM
For one hour Daniel composes himself before he addresses the meaning of the dream. We might say that Daniel is stumped about the tree for a little while. Daniel hates to deliver the message to the King knowing that the enemies of the King will be pleased.
Dan. 4:19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar,
was stricken dumb for a while,
and his thoughts troubled him. The king answered and said, Belteshazzar,
let
not the dream, or the interpretation, trouble thee. Belteshazzar
answered
and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation
thereof to thine adversaries.
Dan. 4:25 that thou shalt be driven from men, and
thy dwelling shall be with the beasts
of the field, and thou shalt be made to eat grass as oxen, and shalt be
wet
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.
Daniel states that the king is portrayed as the tree. The greatness of the tree showed the influence and power of Nebuchadnezzar. The Babylonian king and kingdom was extremely powerful.
Dan. 4:20-22 The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and
was strong, whose height reached
unto heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth; whose
leaves were fair,
and the fruit thereof much, and in it was food for all; under which the
beasts
of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the birds of the heavens had
their
habitation: 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.
Just as heaven had declared the tree to be cut down so was Nebuchadnezzar's fate to be. God was going to cut the king down to size. maybe Nebuchadnezzar had gotten too big for his britches. Maybe God wanted to teach man how frail earthly wealth and position can be. The king would be whittled down in short order by the Lord.
Dan. 4:24-26 this is the interpretation, O king,
and it is the decree of the Most High,
which is come upon my lord the king: that thou shalt
be driven from
men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and thou shalt
be made to eat grass as oxen, and shalt be wet 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.
And
whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree; thy
kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that
the
heavens do rule. Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be
acceptable untot
thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by
showing
mercy to the poor; if there may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
King you are the tree and God is about to say "timber"!
The king was going to lose his mind, leave his throne and dwell with beasts. This man would not eat the fine foods he loved but would graze on grass like a billy goat or ox.
Dan. 4:25 that thou shalt be driven from men, and thy dwelling
shall be with the
beasts of the field, and thou shalt be made to eat grass as oxen, and
shalt be wet 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.
For a long period of time likely seven years the king was as mad or insane as he could be. The king grew long fingernails and toenails like claws of birds.
Dan. 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 hair was grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails
like
birds' claws.
The purpose for his defeat was to show the authority and power of God over men and nations.
Dan. 4:25-26 that thou shalt be driven from men,
and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts
of the field, and thou shalt be made to eat grass as oxen, and shalt be
wet
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. And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the roots
of the
tree; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known
that
the heavens do rule.
The roots which remained of the tree would spring forth again, and this represented the power of Nebuchadnezzar being restored again.
Dan. 4:26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump
of the roots of the tree; thy
kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that
the heavens
do rule.
Nebuchadnezzar had about twelve months to prepare himself and confess his sins and become righteous.
Dan. 4:27-29 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable
unto thee, and break off
thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the
poor;
if there may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. All this
came upon the king
Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of twelve months he was walking
in the royal
palace of Babylon.
After twelve months and with arrogance and pridethe king's life I can
hear the axe swinging and the words timber coming.
THE KINGS REACTION
The reaction of the king to the prophecy was to brag and swell up with pride in his accomplishments. The King as he was bragging about his power was struck insane.
Dan. 4:30-31 The king spake and said, Is not this great
Babylon, which I have built for the
royal dwelling-place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my
majesty?
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:
The kingdom was taken from the king immediately. Nebuchadnezzar was driven from the palace to live like an animal and did so till seven times past.
Dan. 4:32 and thou shalt be driven from men; and
they dwelling shall be with the beasts of
the field; thou shalt be made 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.
After Nebuchadnezzar recovered his mind he praised and exalted the one true God of heaven.
Dan. 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 honored him that liveth for ever; for his dominion is an everlasting
dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation.
The king recognized the dominion of God. The King understood the insignificance of man compared with God.
Dan. 4:34-35 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 honored him that liveth for ever; for his dominion
is
an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation.
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?
The selfishness and the vanity of Nebuchadnezzar was broken. No man can confront holiness and stand against God. The God of the universe that took his kingdom restored it back with glory and honor.
Dan. 4:36 At the same time mine understanding returned
unto me; and for the glory of my
kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors
and
my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent
greatness was added unto me.
The king knew the works of God firsthand and the judgment of God.
Dan. 4:37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol
and honor the King
of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and
those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
WILL GOD CUT US DOWN?
Our lives like King Nebuchadnezzar are under the watchful eyes of the lord.
Heb. 4:13 And there is no creature that is not manifest in his
sight: but all things are
naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
We will all one day be judged according to the lives we have lived.
II Cor. 5:10 For we must all be made manifest before
the judgment-seat of Christ;
that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to
what he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Our nation has become filled with people who have no use for God and deny his authority. Their lives are the definition of foolishness.
Psalms 14:1 The fool has said in his heart there is no God.
We can become proud and full of our own verbosity and one day here God say "Timber in our lives.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall".
Like Nebuchadnezzar we could hear "timber" before we realize the axe has fallen against us.
The bears on Wallstreet trusted in their stocks until the crashed in 1929. Those who were rich and successful became paupers overnight. Many jumped from windows to their death.
The criminal that though they would never be caught rots behind a prison cell today.
The church had waged the good fight of faith and became lazy and lax and now is in a great struggle. We failed to teach our people about baptism, instrumental music, denominationalism and now problems threaten brethrens souls.
We became complacent and ceased fighting because we had the battles won only to be in danger of defeat. Our pride and arrogance can cause the axe to swing on us.
Jas. 4:6 God resisteth the proud but giveth grace to the humble.
God told the king, "that all those who walk in pride he is able to abase."
Dan. 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 honored him that liveth for ever; for his dominion
is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation.
The christian is warned to examine and prove themselves lest we be brought down by pride and arrogance!
I Cor. 10:12 " Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he falls."
The merciful God allowed Nebuchadnezzar another opportunity to acknowledge his sovereignty. How many times have we heard God say "timber" and been spared destruction.
One day we will not be given another chance, our time for grace and
mercy will be gone. How does God see us?
Are we humble and obedient to his will? Have we become selfish
and sinful in our lives. May God help us wake up before we fel the
cut of the axe in our life, and hear God call "Timber" as we fall to destruction
and damnation.
CONCLUSION
Daniel pleaded with the king to repent and acknowledge God's power.
Nebuchadnezzar had to be broken before he could be saved. Do you
realize the danger your soul is in today? Do you need to obey the
Lord today. The merciful God of heaven gives us a plan to obey for
our soul to be saved:
Believe Jesus Christ is God's son, John 8:24
Repent or turn from sin, Luke 13:3-5
Confess the name of Christ, Romans 10:10
immersed,in water/ baptized to be saved, I Peter
3:21
Serve the lord faithfully unto death, Revelation 2:10
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