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Reading & Devotional Guide: Daniel 4

Passion City Church
October, 7, 2024

Click here to listen to this week’s episode of Further In, in which members of the Passion City Church DC team discuss the passage of scripture we’re studying and consider how to apply the truths of God’s word to our lives.

 

This week’s reading: Daniel 4

 

Before diving into Chapter 4, it’s helpful to recall the earlier chapters of Daniel. In Chapter 1, Daniel and his friends, exiled in Babylon, refused the king’s food, demonstrating their loyalty to the LORD. Chapter 2 revealed Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, outlining the LORD’s plan for future kingdoms. In Chapter 3, Daniel’s friends boldly faced the fiery furnace, standing firm in their faith.

 

Commentators believe the events here in Chapter 4 occurred thirty years later, with Daniel now in his fifties. This chapter continues to reveal God’s work through Daniel and records the dramatic transformation of King Nebuchadnezzar.

 

– Read Daniel 4–

 

What happened?

Daniel 4:1-3 begins with King Nebuchadnezzar praising… the LORD?! That seems surprising. The self-important ruler of Babylon, who once glorified only himself, is now joyfully proclaiming the greatness of God. What led to such a dramatic change? The rest of Daniel 4 reveals how this transformation came about. Verses 4-37 serve as Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony, recounting the story of God’s grace in his life.

 

It all began when Nebuchadnezzar was disturbed by a dream—this wasn’t the first time his visions troubled him (see Daniel 2). As before, he sought answers from his counselors, but none could provide an interpretation. So, he called upon Daniel.

 

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was of a towering tree that reached the heavens, visible to the ends of the earth. The tree provided food and shelter for all, but a divine messenger ordered it to be cut down, leaving only a stump bound with iron and bronze. That tree, Daniel explained, represented Nebuchadnezzar himself. 

 

Judgment was coming—the king would be humiliated and isolated. But there was a purpose: “so that you may know that Heaven rules” (4:26). Daniel’s interpretation came with an application. He urged Nebuchadnezzar to break away from his sin, to practice righteousness, and to show mercy to the oppressed.

 

Sadly, a year later, Nebuchadnezzar chose pride over repentance (4:28-30). As a result, he was humiliated–driven from his palace–and isolated like an animal, just as the LORD had warned. His downfall was the direct consequence of his pride. Yet even in judgment, the LORD was patient and gave Nebuchadnezzar a year to repent.

 

At the end of his days, Nebuchadnezzar’s heart was finally transformed. He “lifted his eyes to heaven” and publicly proclaimed the goodness of God. His kingdom was restored, but he was never the same. Nebuchadnezzar had learned that while God will judge sin, He desires to save the sinner, offering grace even to the most hardened heart.

What to remember?

  • King Nebuchadnezzar praised the LORD (4:1-3)

  • King Nebuchadnezzar troubled by a dream (4:4-17)

  • Daniel dismayed by the dream’s interpretation (4:19)

  • Daniel interpreted the dream (4:20-27)

  • King Nebuchadnezzar’s pride leads to his fall (4:28-33)

  • King Nebuchadnezzar’s repentance and restoration (4:34-37)

Meditation

  • Break off your sin (4:27)

Daniel urges King Nebuchadnezzar to “break off your sin.” This call to action isn’t merely a suggestion; it is a plea for genuine transformation. Sin can often entangle us like a weed, wrapping around our hearts and minds and stifling our growth. Nebuchadnezzar’s pride had led him to isolation and humiliation, and Daniel confronted him. 

 

Maybe you feel like Nebuchadnezzar. You’re clinging to money, pride, anger, materials, or status to find freedom, but you’ve found slavery. Daniel reminds us to break up with sin and find freedom. What areas of your life need to be surrendered?

 

Maybe you feel like Daniel. You gently need to tell a loved one that they need to break up with sin. They’re at rock bottom. Their freedom has become slavery. You want to see their salvation, not humiliation. How could you help a loved one break up with sin?

 

  • I lifted my eyes to heaven (4:34)

A look can change everything. The once-arrogant Nebuchadnezzar was changed when he “lifted his eyes to heaven.” Lifting his eyes symbolized a shift from self-reliance and pride to God-reliance and humility. He recognized that the true King, the One who reigns above all, is the LORD.

 

We are prone to look at ourselves, our success, our circumstances, our worries, or our failures. Before we know it, that self-absorption leads to destruction. 

 

But there’s an escape. There is a direction to turn our gaze that does not destroy us, but delivers us. What are you currently fixating on? Lift your eyes to Jesus. 

Prayer

Father,  

Like King Nebuchadnezzar, 

help me break off my sins and find true freedom in you. 

As I lift my eyes to you, 

remind me of your power and grace in my life. 

Thank you for your patient love. 

I love you, LORD. 

Amen.

Scripture References

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Tree

1King Nebuchadnezzar,

To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth:

May you prosper greatly!

2It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.

3How great are his signs,

how mighty his wonders!

His kingdom is an eternal kingdom;

his dominion endures from generation to generation.

4I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. 5I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. 6So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. 7When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. 8Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)

9I said, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me. 10These are the visions I saw while lying in bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous. 11The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. 12Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed.

13“In the visions I saw while lying in bed, I looked, and there before me was a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven. 14He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches. 15But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field.

“ ‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. 16Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times pass by for him.

17“ ‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’

18“This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”

Daniel Interprets the Dream

19Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.”

Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! 20The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, 21with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds— 22Your Majesty, you are that tree! You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth.

23“Your Majesty saw a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.’

24“This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. 26The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. 27Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.”

The Dream Is Fulfilled

28All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”

31Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. 32You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”

33Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.

34At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.

His dominion is an eternal dominion;

his kingdom endures from generation to generation.

35All the peoples of the earth

are regarded as nothing.

He does as he pleases

with the powers of heaven

and the peoples of the earth.

No one can hold back his hand

or say to him: “What have you done?”

36At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Passion City Church
Passion City Church
Content created by the team at Passion City Church. Passion City Church is a Jesus Church. A small tribe of His followers connected by our common faith and a deep desire to see our city [and the world] come to know His power and beauty. We are not perfect. But Jesus is. Thankfully, we are a Jesus Church.