Title: Nebuchadnezzar’s 2nd Dream Script: Daniel 4:4ff
Type: Expository series Where: GNBC 10-30-22
Intro: In a National Library of Medicine article (1-24-22) researchers ask and attempt to answer the question: “Did the Coronavirus infect our sleep?” Apparently, a growing number of studies have demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected sleep and dream activity in healthy people. To date of the article, no investigation had been performed to examine dream activity specifically in COVID-19 patients. As part of the International COVID-19 Sleep Study, researchers compared 544 COVID-19 participants with 544 matched-controls. A within-subjects comparison between pre-pandemic and pandemic periods computed separately for controls and COVID-19 participants were performed on dream recall and nightmare frequency. Researchers found that there was greater dream activity during the pandemic and a very strong association between increased nightmare reporting for those having had Covid-19. All told, there is a growing body of literature that strongly suggests that the Covid 19 pandemic significantly upset sleep patterns, increased insomnia, and elevated distressed dreaming and nightmares. Now, in Daniel 4 we see that King Nebuchadnezzar has had another nightmare. Now, it’s doubtful the old king had Covid. Rather, the dream was divine in origination, and it was to serve as a warning and a sentence to this prideful potentate.
Prop: Exam. Daniel 4 we’ll notice 3 important aspects surrounding Nebuchadnezzar’s nightmare.
BG: 1. Several decades have now passed since Daniel was deported to Babylon (Modern Iraq.)
2. King Nebuchadnezzar has firmly established his rule. Power is absolute. Wealth is unsurpassed. Babylon’s hanging gardens are one of the “7 Wonders of the Ancient World”.
3.
Prop: Let’s Exam. Dan. 4 so as to notice 3 Important Aspects of Nebuchadnezzar’s Nightmare.
I. Nebuchadnezzar’s 2nd Nightmare – vv. 4-8
A. The King’s 2nd Dream Comes When All is Well in his Life.
1. The Ominous Message comes when the king was apparently strong and secure.
a. V. 4 – “I was at ease in my house and flourishing in my palace.” Life was going very well for the king at that moment in time. How many nations had he conquered? How many vassals states did he have in his employ? How many wives and concubines? How much wealth? How unquestioned was his rule and absolute his authority?
b. Like Nebuchadnezzar, we all try to build up accomplishments in our lives that attempt to impress ourselves as well as others: academic, athletic, commercial, financial, professional, relational. We are all looking forward to that time when we have our world by the tail on a down hill pull so we can live “at ease”. Be very careful dear ones! I have seen many a man or woman destroy all they had worked so hard and long to build up when they reached the age of “ease”. Illust: Read II Sam. 11:1-2. “in the Spring when the kings go out to battle…” Wait, David is not going out to battle! “I’ll let Joab take care of it!” “I am too important to go out…” “I’ve gone out for years. I am going to sit on my roof in the cool of the evening and relax.” David was at his ease when disaster struck!
2. The King’s Nightmare Demonstrates God’s Ability to Get our Attention no Matter our Position.
a. Nebuchadnezzar was a tempestuous individual. He was cruel, emotionally volatile, and petty (And those were his good attributes!). He had defeated the Assyrians empire, the preeminent power of the day. He had destroyed Judah, Jerusalem, and the Temple. He had taken into captivity the best and the brightest people who were now loyally serving him. There were no challenges, there were no challengers. All his enemies were subdued. He lived in the most luxurious city of his time. His wealth was opulent. Three words described the king: Pride! Pride! And Pride!
b. Illust: Yet, as the great Baptist preacher, WA Criswell once said; “No one is strong enough or powerful enough to escape God. God reaches into his bag of terrors and affects the king’s sleep. With one bizarre dream that lion-hearted general is now a craven coward. Illust: Almost everyone knows the name “JD Rockefeller” of Standard Oil fame. In the early 20th century he was the wealthiest man in the world. But by 50 yrs of age he was overworked, exhausted, terrible health, and hated by nearly everyone. Doctor warned him that would probably not live another year. Apparently had something of a religious conversion. Began to quietly give away his wealth to various charities. In 1912 his fortune was $900 million. Yet as he began to give wealth away, something happened: hair grew back, health improved, people began to like him! Lived another 47 years! At time of death fortune was $26 million. One of the biggest skinflints in history had become the biggest philanthropist in history. Why? God got his attention.
B. Where does the King turn to find the meaning of the dream?
1. A troubled King calls in his cabinet.
a. V. 7 We see who gets called first. His secular counselors. Notice, unlike the 1st dream, the statue, Neb tells the counselors of its content. However, similar to the first dream, these men could not make known its interpretation.
b. Friend, there is a limitation to secular counsel. I am not saying that secular people cannot be expert in their field. They certainly can be and often are. However, many of the troubles that plague one’s life are spiritual in orientation, and the best advice the secular crowd can give is sanctimonious self help, discipline, or drugs. Why? Because there is a spiritual realm, and you have to know Christ and His ways and His Word if you are going to be wise.
2. Notice the King’s Confidence in Daniel.
a. Illust: A couple of weeks ago one of my childhood heroes died. Bruce Sutter was one of the greatest relief pitchers in history. Sutter was one of only a few bright spots in the late 1970’s Cub’s organization. Due to elbow injury (Had to pay for the surgery himself!), lost velocity on fastball. While recovering learned to throw split fingered fastball! Could literally drop it off a table. In those rare times from 1976-1980, when the Cubs were ahead, in the 8th or 9th, if #42 got the call you were pretty confident the game was in the bag!
b. Vv.8-9 (Read) – Can read the confidence the King had in Daniel. Daniel was Nebuchadnezzar’s Bruce Sutter. Calls him in after the others failed. As king is relaying the account gives both Daniel’s Hebrew and Babylonian name. Making sure he gets the credit. Notice what says about Daniel, how he is different from all the other advisors: “A spirit of the holy gods is in you.” Academics disagree if “gods” is single or plural in the Aramaic. Regardless, the king is saying that Daniel’s God is different from all others.
C. Applic: For nearly 30 yrs now Daniel had faithfully served his king. When the sovereign’s sleep was troubled with another nightmare, Nebuchadnezzar sought Daniel to explain the omen.
II. The Dream’s Content and Interpretation.
A. First, we see the Dream’s Content. Vv.9-18
1. The Kings Odd Dream is Recounted.
a. Vv.10-12 – Not the stuff of normal nightmares! A giant tree grows and becomes strong. It’s grows tall to the sky. It is visible to the whole earth. It is a healthy tree with leaves that are fair and fruit that is fine. It provides food and shelter for the animals of the land. Certainly the king assumed this tree represented himself as ancient rulers were often compared to trees in Daniel’s time.
b. This dream is intense. In v. 10 & 13 we read: “I was looking” Literally, it could read: “Looking, I was looking”. There is an intensity. The king’s attention is fully absorbed in the matter. May have been other matters of state, but this had his undivided attention. “A Holy Watcher comes down from heaven…”
2. The Troubling Message Contained in the King’s Dream.
a. Vv.14-15 – A loud voice shouts: “Cut down the tree!” In the light of the full revelation of the Word of God, the most natural conclusion is that this person described as “a watcher and a holy one” is an angel sent from God even though the word angel is not used. The beasts and birds flee, Only the stump is left it is bound with an iron and bronze band. Oh boy! Here is when the dream becomes a nightmare for the king! Heaven now holds him accountable! V.16 – the length of the sentence is stated – 7yrs! (Same word used as in Dan. 7:25)
b. Both the stump and the band is important. The word used for stump means “a stump that has roots and is still alive.” It’s not completely dead. It gives Nebuchadnezzar hope that life will spring back in time. The band of bronze and iron has two credible interpretations: It could represent the insanity that will bind the king’s mind and life to come, or it could be a fence of protection around the king and his reign during the period of vulnerability. (Illust – How we put plastic shields, etc. around trees to keep the deer from eating off the bark in the winters.)
c. V.17 – Lesson to every ruler who ever preceded or followed Nebuchadnezzar!
B. Second, We See the Dream’s Interpretation. Vv.19-27
1. Daniel Declares the Ominous Omen’s Meaning.
a. V.19-22. -Keil summarizes the situation facing Daniel with these words, “As Daniel at once understood the interpretation of the dream, he was for a moment so astonished that he could not speak for terror at the thoughts which moved his soul. This amazement seized him because he wished well to the king, and yet he must now announce to him a weighty judgment from God.” (Kiel p.154) It may have also troubled the prophet that he had to tell the ruler the meaning of the message regardless of his response.
b. V.19 – Notice the effect the dream has on Daniel. The prophet is once again introduced by both his Hebrew and Babylonian name. One is to demonstrate he is representing the true God of the Universe and the other to demonstrate his official capacity in the Babylonian Empire. The prophet is stricken for a period of time. Terrified. Mute.
2. Daniel Declares the Horrible Sentence.
a. V. 25 God is getting this tyrant’s attention. Do you know there is a medical term for this behavior? “Lycanthropy” – from the Greek – lykos – wolf and anthropos – man. Literally a mental disorder in which a person thinks he is a wolf or any other non-human animal! The king will for seven years think and act like he is a cow!
b. The sentence was coming because of the king’s arrogance and pride.
3. Daniel’s Advice and Counsel.
a. Repent! Quit now! Stop! “Show mercy to the poor!” “Be humble Uriah!” I mean, Nebuchadnezzar. Maybe Nebuchadnezzar did think about heeding the message. Maybe he resolved to make a change, but ultimately we learn his heart was not in it. Although he was scared, he wasn’t scared enough. Illust – Met a lot of individuals over the years who have had life pulled like a rug out from under them. Some turn to Christ when they hit the floor. Other’s haven’t even when the China cupboard overturns and comes crashing down on top of them!
b. Without true conversion man can only reform instead of be regenerated. Reform talks about self-improvement and family values, and Judeo-Christian traditions. Reform makes me the focus, God at best one of several choices to be my helper to improve my condition. Regeneration realizes I am hopeless and helpless and damned and destitute and need a Savior! Regeneration comes without one plea of merit to a merciful Christ, Who by faith in Him, extends His sovereign, electing, all sufficient grace and in a moment of time declares us righteous when His regenerating Spirit brings us alive from the dead.
c. Applic: I think if Peter had been there he would have told the King: Acts 3:19 – “Repent and return that your sins may be blotted out.” Or, II Pet. 3:9 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” What about you and me today?
III. The Dream Fulfilled. Vv.28-37
A. The Dream is Fulfilled.
1. The Dream is Fulfilled
a. V.29 – Read – Stop right there! Rulers, kings, presidents, and prime ministers: Don’t walk on your rooftops! Nothing good ever happens there! 12months have passed since Daniel informed the king of what would happen. Maybe the first month or two Neb consoled himself, “I’ve changed enough. I’ve made amends. “I am good!” Now he is looking over his realm his previously reigned in pride reaches its zenith! Read v. 30. And the words are barely out of his mouth and the divine hammer falls! V.31 (Read) 2 Peter 3:9, NIV “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
b. The building of Babylon was one of Nebuchadnezzar’s principal occupations. Inscriptions for about fifty building projects have been found, usually made of brick and sometimes of stone. Among the wonders of Nebuchadnezzar’s creation were the gardens of Semiramis, the famous “hanging gardens” regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The gardens were planted on top of a building and served both to beautify and to keep the building cool from the heat of summer. They probably were in view of Nebuchadnezzar’s palace. If the construction of a great city, magnificent in size, architecture, parks, and armaments, was a proper basis for pride, Nebuchadnezzar was justified. What he had forgotten was that none of this would be possible apart from God’s sovereign will. And you and I need to remember it as well! Neb about to get a lesson in the birds and bees! Not the fun type either.
c. Illust – Friends, I know a man who was given a warning to repent. His life was enviable on the outside. Powerful position and economically prosperous, beautiful wife, lovely children, great neighborhood and schools, Membership at the country club, tickets to the game. A faithful friend went to him. Repent. Turn to Christ. Toyed at religion. Made a few forays into its field. But ultimately the allurement of wealth and power and privilege were too great a pull. A few months later…it was all taken away, and that man…he went to prison. And no one gave him tickets anymore, and no one envied his new home, and his wife left him and children disowned him, and the country club revoked his membership. And his throne of pride got kicked to the curb!
2. In a moment of time God puts an arrogant tyrant out to pasture!
a. V.33 – covers 7 years. I verse in the Bible. Possibly pass over. Need to consider what was like. “Immediately” – Judgment comes immediately. Humiliated - immediately. Humbled – immediately. Building up for years. Warned for a year. Bam! Scripture draws a veil over most of the details of Nebuchadnezzar’s period of trial. It is probable that Nebuchadnezzar was kept in the palace gardens away from abuse by common people.237 Although given no care, he was protected; and in his absence his counsellors, possibly led by Daniel himself, continued to operate the kingdom efficiently. Although Scripture does not tell us, it is reasonable to assume that Daniel himself had much to do with the kind treatment and protection of Nebuchadnezzar.
b. Illust – Muhammad Ali was one of the best heavyweight boxers in history. “Defiantly declared: “I am the greatest!” When he died of Parkinsons and brain injury, he couldn’t talk, was led around by the hand, and drooled on himself.
B. Reason is Restored
1. Reason is Restored when Nebuchadnezzar looks up!
a. Neb. Had been living like a cow for 7 years. He ate like a cow. He didn’t cut his hair or fingernails or toenails. His whole focus was that of a beast! Survival. At the end of those 7 years, God’s sovereign grace is extended to tyrannical madman. He’s a lunatic. He’s living like a bovine, yet there in that utterly depraved state, no family, no friends, no power, no prestige, there God reaches down so that Nebuchadnezzar can look up! PTL! For 7 yrs. Neb has been living like an animal. He acts and thinks like an animal. But is he an animal? NO! He is a man, made in the image of God Almighty (Gen. 1:26). Friend, we wonder what’s going on in our society today. School shootings. Violence in the street. Base immorality. Gender confusion. All of that is normal if we are simply looking down and looking around. The “experts” will tell you that your just another animal! That’s a lie! They will tell you there is no hope! That’s a lie! They’ll tell you the best they can do is medicate you. Friend, I tell you, look up! Look to Christ! Ps. 121:1-2 – “I lift mine eyes unto the mountains, from whence does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” You have to look up to see the mountain tops!
b. My friend, reason and perspective and salvation will come when you stop looking down, quit looking around, and finally look up! Illust- My daughter and family have cattle. Texas Longhorns. Beautiful creatures. 95% of the time looking down – for something to eat. About 5% of time looking level. Never seen one look up. Illust – In Lk. 15, Jesus tells the story of an arrogant young man, required inheritance early, left home. Spent a fortune in riotess living. Sold self into slavery. Living like a pig, longing to eat as well as the pigs! After the degradation, after that humiliation, after that hunger, he looked up! Look to Jesus!
2. Nebuchadnezzar’s Praise and Promotion
a. “Nebuchadnezzar’s repentance brought about his restoration. Not only did he regain his sanity, he regained his kingdom. He was sought out by his counselors and nobles. His power and greatness increased above that he possessed before his downfall. His final words are those of testimony and worship, addressed to the King of heaven, praising Him for His truth, His ways, His justice and compassion in the lives of mortal men.” (Bob Deffingbaum, Daniel 4)
b. “Our sanity is directly linked to God’s sovereignty.” (Pastor Buddy Hoffman, Grace Fellowship Church) Legally speaking, insanity is when a person cannot distinguish reality from fantasy. In other words, a person who is insane cannot tell what is true and what is not true. It is not until a person recognizes that God is sovereign (supreme or highest in power or authority; controlling; preeminent; indisputable; being above all others in character, importance, excellence; greatest, utmost, paramount) that the person recognizes the ultimate truth. Without this knowledge, a person’s thoughts are consumed with fear, worry, and stress. With this knowledge, a person’s mind is transformed and at peace.” (J. Hooper, Dan. 4)
C. Applic: Pride is a form of insanity. Nebuchadnezzar’s experience illustrates an important truth in the relationship between pride and insanity. Pride is actually a form of insanity. Insanity is a condition in which someone loses touch with reality, living in an unreal world. Sanity is seeing things as they are and then living appropriately. Notice that “I” is in the center of PRIDE. If you are focused on yourself, and you think that you can control the things in your life, your mind will be filled with fear and worry - just like Nebuchadnezzar in the wilderness. But when you understand the truth that God is in control of everything, your mind will be healthy and clear, and you will feel God’s peace (Galatians 5:22).
