Daniel 4:1 -3 & 19 - 37 The Conversion Of a Rebellious Man THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO NEBUCHADNEZZAR I. THE POWER OF KING NEBUCHADNEZZAR Ch.1:1-2 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. 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. 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. 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. D. His Indifference To God's Pronouncement - 27 Note Daniel's :- (a) Concern "Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee," (b) Counsel "break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor" (c) Conviction "if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity."
III. THE PUNISHMENT OF KING NEBUCHADNEZZAR 4: 28 - 34
I. God's Sovereignty is Ignored
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.
II. God's Sovereignty is Rejected.
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?
III. God's Sovereignty is Experienced. 31 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. 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.
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. God's Sovereignty Is Acknowledged. (1) "I lifted up my eyes" - A right view of God. (2) "My understanding returned" - A right understanding of reality. (3) I blessed...praised...honored." - A right attitude of worship.
Romans 1:18-20.18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 ΒΆ Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools 1. They Refused To Look To God 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 2. They Refused To Trust In God 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 3. They Refused To Glorify God 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations,
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 V. God's Sovereignty Is Described v. 34b-37 - 1. v. 34b - The Superiority of His Kingdom. whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: 2. v. 35a - The Insignificance of His Creatures. And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing 3. v. 35b - The Sovereignty of His Will. 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? 4. v. 36 - The Sureness of His Purposes. At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. 5. v. 37a - The Supremacy of His Person. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, 6. v. 37b - The Singleness of His Character all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: 7. v. 37c - The Strength of His Position. and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
