Trivia: This is the only chapter in the bible penned by a pagan.
The letter is mostly written in the first person, with a few verses (19b, v28-33) in the third person (esp the part where he is wild).
The whole chapter is a letter from Nebu, addressed to his kingdom, which tells a story.
Nebu has...another dream. This time of a huge tree that is cut down to the stump, bound for 7 'periods', that the "living may know that the most high is ruler" (v17).
Daniel interprets the dream; he hesitates to tell the king the bad news, then delivers the verdict:
Nebu is the tree.
God will drive Nebu from mankind and will live with the beasts for 7 'periods'.
When Nebu recognizes that God is ruler over mankind (after 7 times), then he will be restored.
And...believe it or not, this is exactly what happens.
A year later, Nebu is walking around his roof, looking at his city, congratulating himself on the might of his power and the glory of his majesty (v30).
At that moment, a voice from heaven declares that his doom is upon him.
Nebu was driven away and became feral (lived outside, ate grass, grew long hair and nails).
At the end of 7 'periods', Nebu raised his eyes to heaven and blessed God; then he was restored to his kingdom.
Nebu closes his letter with a praise of God.
Notes:
Lycanthropy:
Clinical Lycanthropy defined as:
- A patient reports in a moment of clarity or looking back he sometimes feels as an animal or has felt like one.
- A patient behaves in a manner that resembles animal behaviour, for example crying, grumbling or creeping.
Apparently, this sort of thing still happens. Mclean Hospital (MA) has had 12 cases of Lycanthropy since 1974.
There is no specific animal either: dogs, cats, tigers, frogs, horses, birds, etc...
"feral children" - there have been a few cases in the last decade of 'feral children' living with packs of animals.
7 times?
probably 7 years.
Records of the event?
no...but defeats and failures weren't recorded.
did nebu get 'saved'?
who knows?
1. Minor Note: God waits 12 months to act.
Is God offering a chance for repentance? (v27)
Daniel seems to say that it might be in v27:
Therefore, O king, may my advice be pleasing to you: break away now from your sins by doing righteousness,
and from your iniquity by showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a prolonging of your prosperity.
Is this a hypothetical case or not?
either way, the response should be the same - repent.
At the least, God's timing is his own.
2. God is 'the' sovereign over all, including Babylon.
remind of setting (israel, god's people, in exile to a more powerful country serving pagan gods)
remind of point of book daniel is all about proving that God is still the all powerful being.
note continuing escalation of chapters (almost like plagues)
veggies
bad dream (king scared, Daniel/God shown superior)
furnace (king can't harm God's people)
nebu writes a letter of praise.
nebu ends up writing a chapter of scripture.
Nebu takes credit for his kingdom, city, palace, etc in v30:
The king reflected and said, "Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of
my power and for the glory of my majesty?"
God responds with (v31,32):
While the word was in the king's mouth, a voice came from heaven,
saying, 'King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you,
and you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place
will be with the beasts of the field You will be given grass to eat
like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you until you
recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and
bestows it on whomever He wishes.'
God is clearly shown to be able to control all nations and kings.
god is more powerful than Babylon
god is willing to allow Babylon to be the dominant power
Why do we read the Old Testament?
It tells us things about man.
It tells us things about God.
This chapter says some things about man, but says a lot about God.
God defends his glory.
The recognition of God (e.g., credit/glory) is the primary issue of the chapter:
v26 "your kingdom will be assured to you after you recognize that it is Heaven that rules."
nebu's words which triggered his fall were, "Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself
have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?" (v30).
nebu's fall is ended when nebu "blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever" (v34).
nebu finishes the chapter with, "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true
and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride." (v37)
Even Daniel's advice to possibly avoid the judgement is ultimately a reflection of God's glory
obedience to God's commands is an act of recognition (of God's authority)
God does prove that he is in charge, but primarily for the sake of his glory.
the clearest statement of why God has been demonstrating his power in Daniel.
to comfort the jews? yes...
to save his people (from the fire, from execution, etc)? yes...
to demonstrate his power and glory? yes. (this isn't directly
Why is God so interested in defending his glory?
who knows?
but he is.
Nebu's punishment seems to be directly tied to his infringing on God's glory.
obviously god doesn't do this all the time.
nor does he save everyone from furnaces.
this does show he cares though, and helps to understand how the end will be.
What is glory anyway?
How do we align ourselves with God's interest in his glory?
a bit tougher to nail down.
the passage has the following:
acknowledge God's glory through obedience. (daniels advice to nebu in v27)
acknowledge God's glory through praise, thankfulness, and thought
bless, praise, and honor god.
seems minor? does in the passage too, doesn't it?
remember what this says about god.
He does not like to share his glory.
phil 2:10,11 every knee will bow, every tongue confess...