The Might Tree Pruned

I. Introduction

A. My pride with the state VICA drafting competition

B. Pride gets in our way every day of our lives, It was no different for Nebuchadnezzar a Babylonian king

II. Dream Stated

A. The King searches for answers (v. 4-9)

1. Helpless advisors approached

a. Neb. still seeks the wisdom of the world

b. “Concerning the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans and soothsayers, Culver stated, ‘This school of pompous quacks should long ago have been dismissed.’”

c. Just how many times do we need to seek the answers from God

d. Can we not learn that God has given us an answer to almost all of our questions?

e. Seek God answers first through prayer and the Bible

2. God’s prophet is approached

a. God gives Daniel the ability to Interpret the Dream

b. The king still knew that Daniel was capable

B. The tree (v. 10-17)

1. Why this tree

a. We can only conceptualize the possible reasons

b. Trees have often represented many great men and princes

1) Psalm 1:1-3

2) Psalm 37:35

3) Ezekiel 31:3

2. God initializes an extensive pruning of this King

a. I can think of multiple situations where God has taken the wind out of my sails

1) The capture the flag incident in Boy Scouts

2) I am sure many of you had some very similar situations

b. God cannot accept those who are not meek and humble

1) Matt 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

2) Luke 22:24-27 “And there arose also a dispute among them {as to} which one of them was regarded to be greatest. And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called Benefactors. But {it is} not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. For who is greater, the one who reclines {at the table} or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines {at the table?} But I am among you as the one who serves.

III. Daniel Interprets

A. No wise men could interpret (v. 18)

1. The King has finally realized that not one of his men could interpret his dream correctly

2. The King needed an interpretation from God’s Interpreter

B. The great tree is Nebuchadnezzar (v. 19-23)

1. We have seen in multiple locations of the Bible a tree is used to signify someone of great power and might

2. The tree was great, lush and abundant with fruit

3. The tree revels in what it is; The king has great pride in who he is and what he has done

4. Then the tree is cut down to a stump, not just pruned the limbs

a. God cut it down where it hurts

b. He chose to take it out almost completely

c. What is God going to have to do to us?

C. God gives his decree (v. 24-27)

1. Do to the pride of the King he is driven away from that pride

2. God totally humiliates him

a. God will make him act like an animal

IV. God Humbles

A. Nebuchadnezzar’s pride swells (v. 28-30)

1. Look what I have done

a. Look at this great crop have pulled in this year

b. Look at this great machine I have designed

c. Look at this great bank account I have earned

d. Look at this great house I own

2. It is so easy for each of us to fall in the trap of giving the glory to ourselves

3. God is given the glory in all situations

a. Jesus did just that – Phil 2:5-8 Paul writes, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: who, being in the very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in the appearance of man, and humbled himself becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross!

b. We are to just the same. God has given us everything we own, know or see.

c. Without God there is nothing

B. The punishment is inflicted (v. 31-33)

1. God has given and taken away as He sees fit

a. God gives salvation to those who humble themselves to the obedience of Christ

b. God gives to those that are worthy

1) The song about the man who chopped the rich man’s wood in the winter

2) God is only going toward those who are humble

2. The king is made crazy

a. This strange disease is identified as “lycanthropy” by a number of writers