Dan. 3:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
Pride is a sin I believe we all have to fight constantly. I believe Nebuchadnezzar’s dream planted an idea in his head that he just couldn’t resist. Maybe the image was meant to represent his god, but more than likely he was thinking of his dream and liked the idea of having his whole being represented in gold and not just his head. Whatever—the king was acknowledged as the god’s representative to the people even if the image was meant to represent his god.
We aren’t told how much time elapsed between the events of chapters 2 and 3; scholars say 15-23 years.
Neb gets the idea to make a huge image of gold and position it in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. The height is 10 times that of the width of the image. A cubit is the distance between the elbow and the wrist or tip of the fingers; and is estimated at 18-21 inches.
At some point I made a note identifying Monty Mills as the source: If 90’ tall, with a 9’ x 9’ base and a 6’ x 6’ head, and made of pure gold, it would weigh 3000 tons and be worth $22 billion or more today.
Dan. 3:2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
Dan. 3:3 Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
The king gathers together all the men of leadership from all the regions/provinces under his authority for the dedication of this statue. The obvious question to emerge—Where is Daniel? Evidently, somewhere far away because we know he would never have bowed down to the image.
Dan. 3:4 Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,
Dan. 3:5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:
Dan. 3:6 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
The command goes out that at the sound of the orchestra everyone present at the dedication is to fall down and worship the golden image. Anyone who does not fall down in worship will be thrown into a burning fiery furnace.
This brings to mind an event yet future—the time when Antichrist has an image set up in the temple and the command is given that everyone is to worship that image; non-compliance will carry the death penalty.
Revelation 13:14-15 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
Dan. 3:7 Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
Dan. 3:8 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.
Dan. 3:9 They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.
Dan. 3:10 Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:
Dan. 3:11 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
Dan. 3:12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
V8 “accused” - denotes hatred and bitter language
v10 “sackbut” - trombone
It would seem that everyone present obeyed the command except for “certain Jews” in leadership positions—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Their quick rise to high positions in the government had evidently caused a bit of jealousy among the nationals. Some of the native born leaders couldn’t wait to go and tell the king that these three Jews had refused to bow down in worship of the golden image—an insult to the king and his gods.
Research note: These three men are mentioned by name as having prominent government positions on a cylinder of cuneiform found in Iraq.
The enemy truly knows how to utilize our weaknesses. One of the biggest fears of man is that of dying. Only those who have true faith in God will be able to reject the command of Antichrist as did the three Jews in Babylon. They understood that their God was the God and that their future was secure with Him even after death. They were determined to honor God according to scripture.
Exodus 20:3–5 “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them:”
This truth was reiterated in the New Testament.
Acts 5:29 “…We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Dan. 3:13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.
Dan. 3:14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
Dan. 3:15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
The king is enraged when he hears this report and has the three Jewish men brought to him. First, he gives the men a chance to deny the allegations. In fact, he offers to give them a second chance to prove that the allegations are wrong. The king just didn’t understand that there is a God that can deliver out of his hands—a God who is greater than all.
Dan. 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
Dan. 3:17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
Dan. 3:18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
The three men are ready with their answer and basically tell the king that they are not afraid of him. Their God is able to deliver them from the fiery furnace if He so chooses; if He does not choose to do so, that doesn’t matter to them. They are not going to worship the gods of the king or worship the golden image. Job expressed a similar mindset:
Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him….
The first time through I missed the phrase “and he will deliver us out of thine hand.” They knew that even if God allowed them to die, they would be delivered from the king’s judgment. I believe that they, like Job, expected to see God face to face.
Job 19:25-26 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
I liked David Guzik’s comment on the response of the Hebrew men: “The statement of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego is also remarkable for what it does not have - any hint of an excuse. In a time of testing like this it is easy to think of a thousand excuses that seem to justify compromise.”
Garland also makes a good point: To serve God means “consistently confessing His truth and living according to His principles.”
Dan. 3:19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
Dan. 3:20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
Dan. 3:21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
Dan. 3:22 Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
At this point, the king is furious. I get a picture of his facing turning red, his eyes bulging and then shouting at the top of his lungs (cf “the form of his visage). He commands that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than normal. (This is probably a figure of speech for as hot as possible.) He commands the strongest of his military men to bind the Jews and throw them into the fiery furnace fully clothed. (I guess to make sure that they caught fire quickly.) The furnace was so hot that the men who threw the Jews into the furnace were killed.
Dan. 3:23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
Dan. 3:24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.
Dan. 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
Evidently, the furnace was constructed as to allow the king to be able to see what was happening inside. The king immediately got up in amazement at what he saw; he couldn’t believe his eyes. He verified with his counselors that only three men had been thrown into the furnace. The king then declared that he saw four men walking around in the fire and that the fourth man looked like the Son of God. I believe that is exactly who he saw—the preincarnate Jesus. Verse 28 makes it clear that Nebuchadnezzar was just expressing the idea of a person that fit his idea of how a god would look or act.
Dan. 3:26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.
Dan. 3:27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.
It would seem that the heat of the furnace had decreased to a great degree if the king was able to come near to the opening of the furnace. His tone had changed a great deal. You can almost hear the respect and awe with which he is calling out the names of the three Jewish men and referencing their God, “the most high God.” He calls for them to come out of the furnace. When the men came out, it was obvious to all that the fire had not affected them the tiniest bit; not a hair of their head had been singed, nor did their clothes have even the faintest smell of fire.
I can’t help but think of some verses in Isaiah 43.
Isaiah 43:1-3 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour….
Dan. 3:28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
All of a sudden, worship of the golden image is forgotten, and the king expresses great respect for the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. He acknowledges the fourth person in the furnace as the angel sent by their God to deliver them because of their trust/faith in Him alone—faith that was more precious to them than life itself.
“changed the king’s word” – Their example of faith and obedience to God has caused the king to change his command to worship the golden image since the God of the Jews has proven to be more powerful.
This is a wonderful example of the impact that a life of faith and commitment to God can have in the lives of others. As others watch our lives as believers, it becomes obvious to them whether or not we are truly committed to God as the Lord of our life. They may not know the scripture, but they all have an idea of how a Christian should live and whether or not we measure up to that standard. Often, their expected standard is higher than that we set for ourselves. I think that is why Paul gives us these verses in Corinthians.
1Corinthians 8:7-13 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
1Corinthians 9:19-22 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
Dan. 3:29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.
Dan. 3:30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
The king makes a decree that all the people of his kingdom are to show great respect for the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Anyone that even speaks a word against their God will be destroyed. The king acknowledges that no other God can deliver with that kind of power. I believe that the Jewish men were promoted as a tribute to their God.
LORD, make my life such an example of faith and obedience to You that others will want to get to know You and follow You because of that example.
I want to include one other great excerpt from Guzik’s commentary (my modification in italics):
This whole account illustrates - perhaps serving as a type - of the future of Israel during the Great Tribulation.
Nebuchadnezzar is like the Antichrist, who forces the whole world into one religion of idolatry.
Nebuchadnezzar’s image is like the image described in Revelation 13, that the whole world will be commanded to worship.
The fiery furnace is like the Great Tribulation, which will be great affliction for the Jews.
The three Hebrew men are like the believing remnant of Israel, who will be preserved through the tribulation.
The executioners who perished are like those in league with the Antichrist, whom Jesus will slay at His return.
The mysteriously absent Daniel is like the church, not even present for this time of great tribulation.
Dan. 4:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
Dan. 4:2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.
Dan. 4:3 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.
In this chapter (time unknown) the king publishes a declaration that he wants all of those in his kingdom to read. He has experienced a great humbling at the hand of God and wants to honor God by sharing his testimony. Verse 8 tells me that (at least at the time of the dream) he still did not believe in God as the one and only God, but he had come to believe that Daniel’s God was the most powerful of gods. Nebuchadnezzar was convinced again of the power of God through the interpretation of another dream.
No time reference is given, but the events related appear to have happened closer to the end of his 43-year reign according to The Bible Knowledge Commentary.
It would seem that the signs and wonders being referenced in this proclamation were a direct reference to the dream he relates and its fulfillment. I guess it could also include his memories regarding the first dream that Daniel interpreted for him as related in chapter two as well as the incident of the fiery furnace in chapter 3.
At this point in time as he gives his testimony, Nebuchadnezzar is convinced that the God of the Jews controls an everlasting kingdom, a kingdom that is far greater than any earthly kingdom.
Dan. 4:4 I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:
Dan. 4:5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
The king begins to relate his story. Everything was going great in the king’s life. One night when the king was sleeping, he had a dream that made him fearful and caused him uneasiness of mind. The next verses indicate that he thought the dream was a specific message to him, but he could not figure out what that message was.
Dan. 4:6 Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.
Dan. 4:7 Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.
As in the events of chapter two, the king again calls in all the wise men of Babylon to interpret his dream—the magicians (horoscopists), astrologers (conjurers), Chaldeans (Magi—priests, philosophers, magicians) and the soothsayers (those who tell the future). This time the king tells his wise men the dream. It didn’t help; none of them could interpret the dream. Again, for some reason Daniel wasn’t with the original gathering.
Dan. 4:8 But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying,
Dan. 4:9 O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.
Finally, Daniel comes before the king. He verifies that it is the same Daniel that was renamed Belteshazzar (in honor of the king’s god). The king identifies Daniel as one who possesses the spirits of the holy gods (not an acknowledgement of THE God). The king tells Daniel the dream and expresses his confidence in Daniel’s ability to interpret the dream since he has already proven that he is the “master” of the magicians, the very best and wisest of all the wise men.
The dream is as follows:
Dan. 4:10 Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great.
Dan. 4:11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:
Dan. 4:12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.
Dan. 4:13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;
Dan. 4:14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:
Dan. 4:15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:
Dan. 4:16 Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.
Dan. 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
Dan. 4:18 This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy godsis in thee.
The king lets Daniel know that he has told him the whole dream, and he wants Daniel to interpret it for him. He is certain that Daniel has ability that none of his other wise men possess because he possesses the very spirit of the holy gods (and he had already exhibited his ability in the dream of the great image as proof). It sounds like he is equating Daniel with the gods or maybe just as a man especially chosen by the gods to bless with their favor.
I believe along with Calvin that the watchers and holy ones reference a heavenly council of angels. He makes the following observations on this section of scripture.
“…the angels urge God by their prayers to humble all mortals and to exalt himself alone. Thus, whatever obscures his glory may be reduced into order. It is right for angels constantly to desire this, since we know them to desire nothing in comparison with the adoration of God by themselves in alliance with all mankind. But when they see God’s authority diminished by man’s pride and audacity, the object of their demand is that God would reduce under his yoke the proud who erect their crests against him…. Angels seek from God by continual prayers to declare his own power to mortals, and thus to lay prostrate the proud who think to excel by their own power and industry, or else by chance, or by the help of men.”
I believe that these “watchers” and “holy ones” are the same as those referenced in Daniel 7 and Revelation 4.
Daniel 7:9–10 “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”
Revelation 4:4 “And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.”
Dan. 4:19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream beto them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.
“astonied” = to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e. devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense):—make amazed…
After hearing the dream, Daniel was speechless for one hour. He was probably trying to figure out how he was going to interpret the dream for the king in a respectful way or a way in which the king wouldn’t take his anger out on Daniel. Finally, the king’s patience begins to grow thin. He could tell by Daniel’s expression that Daniel was troubled by the dream. The king tries to comfort Daniel and tells him not to be alarmed or anxious about telling the king the interpretation of the dream. So Daniel begins. He tells the king that the dream is one that will make his enemies happy.
Dan. 4:20 The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;
Dan. 4:21 Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:
Dan. 4:22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.
Dan. 4:23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;
Dan. 4:24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
Dan. 4:25 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.
Dan. 4:26 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.
The very tall (whose height reached to heaven), strong tree that was rich in fruit (plenty for all in his kingdom) and provided shade to the beasts of the field and homes to the birds represented the king as a ruler who was very great, almost as great as a god in the eyes of his people (reached unto heaven) and whose authority covered most of the known world.
The watcher/holy one is an expression for an angel or a messenger from heaven (the home of God). The angel comes and gives direction (to whom?) for the tree to be cut down and destroyed, but the stump was to be left in the ground. A band of iron and brass was to be placed around the stump and the grass of the field allowed to grow around it. The stump (the afflicted king) is to live as an animal in the field for seven years. This would indicate that the affliction affected his mind, and he was not able to reason or form thoughts with understanding.
At this point, Daniel emphasizes that this interpretation/instruction has been given by the most High (God).
God has decreed that King Nebuchadnezzar will be driven from men and live as a beast in the field and eat grass like an ox (a condition called boanthropy). He will live outside where he gets wet from the dew for seven years. At the end of that time the king will know that the most High (God) is the ruler of men, and He gives authority to men of His choosing.
The good news is that the stump represents the fact that Neb’s kingdom will not be taken away from him for good. (This is a miracle in and of itself; there is always someone looking to assume authority/power.) Once the king recognizes that the God of heaven is THE authority, his kingdom will be restored to him. God knows the end from the beginning, and He is telling the king that he will humble himself and learn the lesson that God is teaching him. He will not harden his heart as so many are wont to do.
Dan. 4:27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
Daniel urges the king to listen to his advice. He encourages the king to give up his sinful lifestyle and live righteously (according to God’s standards). Instead of acting wickedly toward others, start acting mercifully to the poor. I think Daniel is saying that the king should show respect to all people no matter what their status in society might be. If he changes his ways, then God might prolong the time of his health and sanity. Interestingly enough, Daniel doesn’t suggest that God might change His mind. Nebuchadnezzar is a powerful king and would not respect that kind of “god”; he would only understand an authority that is forthright and true to His word.
Dan. 4:28 All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
Dan. 4:29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
Dan. 4:30 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?
The king basically states that Daniel was right; everything happened according to the interpretation given to Daniel by his God.
Verse 29 indicates that a year after having the dream and receiving its interpretation, the king was walking around his palace in Babylon and contemplating with pleasure the greatness of his kingdom. He was deceived into thinking that he was the one responsible for the position of honor and power that he enjoyed. He had accomplished this through his own strength and deserved great honor for making his kingdom great and powerful. He was filled with pride.
Dan. 4:31 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.
Dan. 4:32 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.
Dan. 4:33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.
Before the king had even finished speaking, he heard a voice from heaven speaking to him. He was told that his kingdom was being taken away from him. For seven years he would live like a beast in the field; he would eat grass. At the end of that seven years Neb would finally understand that the most High (God) is THE authority in the kingdom of men; He is the one that makes or allows kings/kingdoms to become great. That same hour the king was afflicted as God had foretold in the dream. He was driven from men, he ate grass like an ox, he lived outside and was wet from the dew, and his hair and nails grew long. Imagine what hair that grew for seven years and was never combed would look like or nails that were never cut and grew and curled.
Dan. 4:34 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:
Dan. 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: 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?
At the end of the seven years, Neb lifted up his eyes to heaven and his understanding returned to him; he was healed. He praised the most High (God), the One that lives forever, Whose kingdom never ends but continues on through the generations of men on earth. He acknowledged that the strongest and mightiest of men are as nothing compared to strength and power of the most High (God). He recognized that God acts in the affairs of men as He so chooses.
I would like to think that Nebuchadnezzar came to saving faith. The terminology used here makes me think that he no longer considers the most High a god among other gods, but as THE GOD; however, I don’t think we can know for sure this side of heaven.
Dan. 4:36 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.
Dan. 4:37 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.
When he regained his sanity, he was restored to his position of power and authority as a happy, healthy man. He was again honored by his counselors and princes. If anything, he was honored even more than before his illness. For this reason Neb wants all to know that he praises and honors the King of heaven; the One whose works are true and His ways/actions are just and right. Anyone who gets too prideful is subject to being humbled by the King of heaven. This is basically an admission of guilt by the king and an acknowledgement that his punishment had been just and deserved.
That is a very important lesson for us all to learn. God hates the sin of pride.
Psalm 12:3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
Proverbs 6:16-17 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look…
Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Isaiah 13:11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
It’s really perplexing to try and reason why the LORD would allow certain people throughout history to rise to positions of power and authority. Through the many examples we see in the scripture, we have to understand that God in His wisdom (not ours) is accomplishing His purposes and His plan—for the salvation and spiritual growth of His people (both of the old and new covenants), to fulfill the scripture in every detail and to fulfill the promise made to Abraham and His Son as stated in Galatians.
Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.