Daniel 4
In the first three chapters of this prophecy we have seen Nebuchadnezzar the idolater. In this one, where he appears for the last time, we discover a great change; the worshiper of idols, the proud man of the world, has been humbled, is now a servant of the true God. He tells the story in his proclamation which fills chapter 4. Being practically a world-wide ruler, he addresses his words to “all the peoples, nations and languages, that dwell in all the earth,” and begins with “Peace be multiplied unto you”—almost a Christian message.
His purpose in writing is stated in verse 2; the “high God’’ is the “Most High God”, as in verses 17, 24, 25 and 34. This name of God first appears in Genesis 14:17-24, referring to Him as the possessor of heaven and earth; that title will be exercised by and by, as the demons know (Acts 16:16-18); then Gentile kings will acknowledge the true God as Nebuchadnezzar did at the close of the events of which he tells here.
The great ruler, occupying a more exalted place than any Gentile before him, had profited not at all by the things he had heard and seen concerning the God of Israel, though impressed for a (chapters 2:47 and 3:24-30), God was, however, going to show him mercy. He dreamed, and the dream, he confesses, made him afraid (verse 5). The men to whom He looked for an interpretation of the dream, failed him; Daniel seems to have been forgotten at first, and we need not wonder at this, for the believer who walks before God is not much in the thoughts of the men of this world.
Verse 9: “Master of the magicians” is rightly “master of the scribes” or writers. In chapter 2, Nebuchadnezzar saw in a dream a great image, the head of which represented himself and the empire of Babylon; here he views a great tree (verses 10-12) which also represented himself, as he presently learned from Daniel. But the tree, by the decree of the watchers and the word of the holy ones—angelic powers acting for God (see verse 24)—was to be hewn down, leaving only the stump with a band of iron and brass. His portion (for in the latter portion of verse 15 the reference to a man becomes plain) is to be with the beasts; his heart is to be changed to a beast’s, and seven times (which may have been 7 years) are to pass over him thus.
Twelve months, passed, and the stroke fell as the king was walking in (or on) the royal palace, boasting about himself (verse 30). The words he spoke in Babylon were heard in the presence of God; the time for repentance was over. At the end Nebuchadnezzar lifted up his eyes unto the heavens and his understanding returned.
Now he blessed the Most High in language totally new to him (verses 34-37), the language of faith. His throne has been held for him, and he is reestablished in the rule of the empire. Firstly he extols God as the “King of the heavens”, for He is not now openly ruling the earth; He has given authority to the Gentiles, giving up His throne at Jerusalem until the day of the Lord introduces a new dealing with the world.
ML 05/07/1936