Journal Through the Bible: Week 78 Friday

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Daniel chapter 4

Nebuchadnezzar had just been taught a lesson by the God of the 3 men that would not bow to his golden image. But God was not done with Nebuchadnezzar who still had to learn another lesson about humility. After he learned it, Nebuchadnezzar became quite the evangelist to the known world of his day!

I love the part where Nebuchadnezzar notes that Daniel's name "was" Belteshazzar after the name of Nebuchadnezzar's god. Perhaps Nebuchadnezzar abandoned Daniel's pagan name about the same time he abandoned his pagan god!

Does God issue any commands?

• Through Daniel God told Nebuchadnezzar the interpretation of the vision of the tree.
• God spoke directly from Heaven commanding Nebuchadnezzar to become as an oxen in the field.

Does God make any promises?

• Nebuchadnezzar would become like an animal of the field for 7 years and then his sanity would return. (This promise was made and fulfilled in this chapter.)
• God promised Nebuchadnezzar that after the 7 years were completed he would know that the most High rules the world and that men rule because He allows them to do so. (This promise was both made and fulfilled in this chapter.)

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Jesus is the ruler in the kingdom of men, the One to whom God the Father wills it.
• Nebuchadnezzar took credit for all the greatness of Babylon. He called attention to everything stating that he built it for the honor of his own majesty. Jesus is the one to whom honor is due because of His majesty.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• One of the lessons that Nebuchadnezzar learned was that his kingdom was a temporary Golden Age but he correctly stated that God's kingdom is eternal and His reign progresses from generation to generation.
• The most High God rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomsoever He will. It was true in Daniel's day, it is true today, and it will be true in the future. However, in the future the ruler in the kingdom of men will be God Himself: Emanuel, God with us.