Daniel 4:1 -3 & 19 - 37 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO NEBUCHADNEZZAR
I. THE POWER OF KING NEBUCHADNEZZAR Ch.1:1-2 1 ΒΆ In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. A. 1:1 The Scope Of His Power - Nebuchadnezzar was the most feared and mighty ruler of his day. He controlled the powerful kingdom of Babylon and was unrivaled in power and military might. B. 1:2 The Source Of His Power - 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, C. 1:2 The Slight Of His Power - he failed to recognize or acknowledge God in his life. with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. Eph. 2:1. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Note :- Their Past State were dead, Their Present State you hath he quickened (made alive), Their Priviliged State (hath he quickened) By God Alone
II. THE PRIDE OF KING NEBUCHADNEZZAR 4: 24 - 27
A. Seen In His Indifference To God's Person - 24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: B. Seen In His Indifference To God's Power - 25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee 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 C. Seen In His Indifference To God's Patience - 26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule. Luke 13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? D. Seen In His Indifference To God's Pronouncement - 27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. Note Daniel's :- (a) Gracious Admonishment "Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee," (b) Good Advice "break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor" (c) Godly Admonition "if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity." Proverbs 3:32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
III. THE PUNISHMENT OF KING NEBUCHADNEZZAR 4: 28 - 34
A. The Delay Of His Punishment -V. 29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon Ecclesiastes 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
B. The Declaration Of His Punishment v. 30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
Sent For :- His Pride (He Refused To Repent), His Presumption, His Pre- Occupation "for the honour of my majesty"
C. The Depth Of His Punishment - V. 31-32
Nebuchadnezzar lost his :-
(a) Power The kingdom is departed from thee
(b) Position v.32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field
(c) Peace they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen
(d) Pride v.32 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. D. The Duration Of His Punishment - 32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee 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 God's Dealings with Nebuchadnezzar Were :- (a) Fundamental (Necessary) Note :- The Correction In Affliction Psalms 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. The Consolation In Affliction Psalms 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. The Conviction In Affliction Psalms 119:75 I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
(b) Faithful Psalms 119:75 I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
(c) Fruitful v. 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 honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
IV. THE PROCLAMATION OF KING NEBUCHADNEZZAR 4:34-37
A. It Was A Public Proclamation - 4:1-3 Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. 3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.
B. It Was A Personal Proclamation - 2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. C. It Was A Powerful Proclamation - v. 37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
He Was Personally Changed: What God Did His Priorities Were Changed Compare Daniel 3:13-15 with 4:1. His Preoccupation Was Changed Compare 4:30 with 4:2. His Perspective Was Changed Compare 3:15 with 4:3, 34-35. His Praise Was Changed Compare v. 30 with v. 37
He Was Powerfully Changed: How God Did It God Created a Need (See Daniel 4:4-18)
God Clarified His Word (See Daniel 4:19-27)
God Crushed Nebuchadnezzar's Pride (See Daniel 4:27-33)
God Changed Nebuchadnezzar's Mind (See Daniel 4:34-35)
He Was Purposefully Changed: Why God Did It Daniel 4: 37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven Charlotte Elliot & Caesar Milan (Preacher). In London, a concert Milan approached Mrs. Elliot and said, "I thought as I listened to you tonight how tremendously the cause of Christ would be benefitted if your talents were dedicated to His cause. You know, young lady, you are a sinner in the sight of God, but I am glad to tell you that the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse you from all sin." At about 2 o'clock in the morning she got out of her bed, took a pencil and a peice of paper, and with tears running down her cheeks, Charlotte Elliot wrote these words: Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that thou biddest me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
