Chapter Four
God Is My Gracious King
We have seen in Daniel 1 that God is my Judge. In Daniel 2 we saw that God is my Revealer, He is able to illuminate the darkness and reveal His truth. In Daniel 3 we saw that God is my Igniter, as He is able to light a fiery faith in our hearts that stands strong in the furnace of testing we often find in the world. Now in Daniel 4 we see an incredible account from Nebuchadnezzar himself about how God dealt with him until he was able to understand that God is My Gracious King. Nebuchadnezzar, a king of Babylon, had the power over life and death for his subjects. If they didnt comply with his orders, he could order that they die (2:5; 3:19-20). This king had been given great authority in the world. But Nebuchadnezzar failed to recognize from where that authority came. Nebuchadnezzar had defiantly erected a nine story gold image in the plain of Dura and sought to have the world bow down to it (Daniel 3). In Daniel 4, we will see that Nebuchadnezzar attributed proudly all his profits to his own powers. Nebuchadnezzar was bloated with pride and far from God. But God has a way of humbling the proud and drawing them to Himself and that is what we will see in Daniel 4. In effect, a king will meet The King and learn that The King is gracious.
Was King Nebuchadnezzar Saved?
"Nebuchadnezzar" is mentioned 91 times in 88 verses of the NKJV. He is a prominent figure in Biblical history. Was king Nebuchadnezzar saved? We cannot be dogmatic about whether or not king Neb was converted. He does still seem to refer to Bel as "my god" in 4:8, ("his name is Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god"). There does not appear to be at this point, any secular evidence that such a conversion took place. However, the Biblical account is sufficient to stand on its own. Many times critics have stated the Bible was flawed and incorrect only to be embarrassed when the bible proved true, (Critics once doubted the existence of the Hittites but were disproved through archeological finds. Critics once doubted that Pontius Pilate was an actual historical figure until archeological finds proved the Bible true once again.)
Regarding the possible conversion of Nebuchadnezzar, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge makes the following assertion:
Every thing was fulfilled that was exhibited in the dream and its interpretation; and God so ordered it in his providence, that Nebuchadnezzars counselors and lords sought for him and gladly reinstated him in his kingdom. It is confidently believed that he was a true convert, and died in the faith of the God of Israel. (1)
D.L. Moody, in a series of messages on the book of Daniel, made the following statements regarding Nebuchadnezzar:
" . . . According to the prophets word, at the end of seven years, or possibly seven months, his reason came back, and he returned to his palace, and all his princes and officers gathered about him. Then immediately he sent out a new proclamation, and its closing words show his repentance and how Daniel had brought this mighty king to God.
"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 honored him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation . . . .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. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol . . . the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase (Daniel 4:34, 36, 37).
And then he passes from the stage; this is the last record of him; and undoubtedly he and Daniel now walk the crystal pavement together. Oh, that mighty monarch was led to the God of the Hebrews by the faith of this Hebrew slave, and just because he had a religion and dared to make it known. (2)
Finally, pastor Chuck Smith makes the following comments in his Word For Today Study Guide, the book of Daniel and from a taped message:
"At the end of seven terrible years, Nebuchadnezzar was converted and submitted himself to God. Some people will go through seven years of the Great Tribulation before they will submit to God." (3) (Emphasis added.) . . . "Listen to these words of Nebuchadnezzar. Sounds like a convert. And I personally believe he was . . .. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King in Heaven. That sounds like conversion to me . . .So this final proclamation of Nebuchadnezzar, a very interesting proclamation of the faith that he had come to as he believed in God and in the power of God and in the sovereignty of God over the universe. Very exciting. " (4)
No one can doubt from the account of Daniel 4 that a radical change has taken place in the heart of this pagan king. If his conversion was not completed in this chapter, then Gods grace had certainly brought him very close to knowing the "Most High . . . King of Heaven" (4:34,37). And even if this king was not converted, his story reveals the gracious King of Daniel. It is the humble opinion of this author that the evidence in this chapter supporting the view that Nebuchadnezzar was converted outweighs evidence to the contrary.
The Grace Of God
It is completely appropriate that an account of the process of salvation begins with the grace of God. And that is what we see in these introductory verses of Nebuchadnezzars testimony. Lets look at these verses and why Gods grace is here in them.
Gods Grace Produces Peace
Daniel 4:1 "Nebuchadnezzar the king, To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you." (Emphasis added.)
Something radical has happened to king Neb. In earlier chapters we see a king given to anger, rage and harsh impulses (2:5; 3:19-20). But now we see a king who is concerned with "peace" being "multiplied to you." He went from hatefulness to peacefulness. Thats radical!
If you read the epistles of Paul in the New Testament, you will notice that each letter begins with an introductory word regarding the grace of God. Ten times Paul opens his letters with the phrase, "grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:2; and Philemon 3). In his three pastoral epistles he adds to the phrase by stating: "Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 timothy 1:2); "Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord" (2 Timothy 1:2); and "Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior" (Titus 1:4). The thing to notice here is that grace always precedes peace. This tells us that in order to experience the peace of God, you have to first experience the grace of God. This is a great truth of the Bible and where we see peace in a person, we can trust that Gods grace has been at work, (unless of course it is a false peace based on the things of this world or false reasons).
Gods peace is unique in that it transcends human understanding. Gods peace is present even in times of trials and hardship, even in times of chaos and uncertainty. Gods peace surpasses understanding, as Paul was inspired to write:
The peace of God is reliable because it is ultimately based on the work of Christ. This is conveyed in the book of Romans which states:
Here too we see that Gods grace is the root and foundation of our peace.
Gods Grace Is Good To Declare
Daniel 4:2 "I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me." (Emphasis added.)
When a person has experienced the saving grace of God, they cant hold it in, they must declare it and share it with others, that is the nature of Gods grace working in us. King Neb had found such a good, no great thing, that he just had to share it, even shout it from the rooftops! This great king had discovered something that "all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth" needed to hear about.
When you look in the Bible and see the reaction of those in whose lives Gods grace has worked, you never fail to see a heart desire to share Gods grace with others. A desire to share Gods grace with others is a sign that it has truly been experienced. We see this truth contained in the following verses:
The person who has experienced Gods grace cannot hold it in for long; they are compelled to share it with others. This was the case with king Nebuchadnezzar as well.
Gods Grace Is Gods Work
Daniel 4:2-3 "I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me. 3 How great are His signs, 1 And how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And His dominion is from generation to generation."
Nebuchadnezzar was not excited to declare something he had done, he was excited to declare what God had done "for me"! That is Gods grace, His work, and His unmerited, undeserved work for and in us. Salvation is His work not our work. In fact the Bible declares that salvation is specifically not by our works. See what the following verses declare:
Gods grace provides salvation for humankind as a gift. A gift is not something worked for, but something simply received. The Bible says sinners can be saved by simply receiving Gods provision as a gift of grace. We see this in the following verses:
Thus, we see in these opening verses how apparently an evil and proud king has experienced Gods grace in a mighty way. How did this happen in the kings life? Lets see.
The Work Of Gods Grace
The testimony of king Nebuchadnezzar gives us much hope, because if an evil, proud all-powerful king can be saved, so can others of similar or lesser sinful stature. How does Gods grace work salvation in a person? There are some tremendous insights into the saving process here in Nebuchadnezzars testimony.
Gods Grace Takes The Initiative
Daniel 4:4 "I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace." (Emphasis added.)
King Neb was resting and enjoying what he believed to be the splendor of his own efforts. He wasnt even thinking about God, he was just resting in his accomplishments. Chuck Smith makes the following comments on the implications of this verse:
"This probably dates the time of this chapter towards the end of Nebuchadnezzars reign. Nebuchadnezzar was tireless in his efforts first of all of establishing the Babylonian kingdom as the world dominating empire conquering first the Assyrians and then the Egyptians, the Syrians, then Jerusalem, and finally into Moab and Ammon, and he conquered the world. Having then conquered the world, then having sacked the world, looted the world; he brought the gold and the silver back from Jerusalem. He brought the brass pillars that were at the porch of Solomons Temple. He cut them up and brought them back. Having looted the world he had sufficient gold and silver and precious gems to make Babylon a glorious city, plus he brought back slaves from all of these nations. The Jews were brought back as slaves, and made slave laborers within Babylon. And, so he set his genius to the building of this mammoth city of Babylon, which no doubt was the greatest city in the ancient world.
The walls were sixty miles in circumference, fifteen miles square in each direction, three hundred feet high, eighty-seven feet thick, a hundred brass gates, towers along the walls, gorgeous palaces, the hanging gardens of Babylon, all of these marvelous architectural feats. By the number of temples that were built in the city of Babylon, it is estimated that the population in the city of Babylon was into the millions. And, now it is finished, this glorious city, and he is resting. He is sitting back and sort of enjoying all of these marvelous accomplishments." (5)
Nebuchadnezzar pictures for us the blind lack of awareness of the sinner. Nebuchadnezzar is spiritually doomed but has no thought of his predicament. He is lost, but unaware of it. God in His grace takes the initiative to break into the comfort and false security of this king just as He does in all the lives of sinners. This is clearly depicted in the inspired letter of Paul to his young minister Titus. In this letter to Titus it states:
We are not saved because we seek God, we are saved because God revealed our need to us and put a desire to be saved in us. Gods grace wakes us up from our spiritual lethargy and deadness. Elsewhere, Paul is inspired to write:
This condition describes king Nebuchadnezzar and every sinner at the threshold of Gods grace. Without Gods grace wed be lost and not even know it. We see this truth revealed in the mission call of Paul. God told Paul he was called to shed light into the darkness of the lost. God told Paul:
That is the grace of God at work in the lost. Gods grace shines a light in darkness and draws people to Himself as He stated through the apostle John who also wrote:
God takes the initiative to work our salvation, which is by definition, the first step of grace.
Gods Grace Gets Our Attention
Daniel 4:5-7 "I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.6 Therefore I issued a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream.7 Then the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers came in, and I told them the dream; but they did not make known to me its interpretation." (Emphasis added.)
Gods grace begins by getting the attention of the sinner. This is what happens with king Nebuchadnezzar. God intrudes into the kings comfort zone and disturbs that comfort. God has a way of shaking people from false securities, false hopes and false beliefs. IN this kings instance God used a dream to trouble him. Nebuchadnezzar then went to his resource of "wise men" and found no help there. That is Gods purpose at this stage; bring the sinner to the end of their resources. A very true statement that applies here is, mans extremities are Gods opportunities. King Nebuchadnezzar must be brought to a place where he recognizes his need. In other words, Gods grace gets our attention by humbling us. This we will see in the remainder of the testimony of Nebuchadnezzar. And this is a pattern throughout the Bible and in all of Gods interactions with mankind.
An example of this are found in the Jacob who was faced with what he thought was a vengeful brother pursuing him, an uncertain reception at his destination in from of him and the responsibility for his family and servants who were with him. Finally God brought Jacob to the end of himself and in a night of wrestling with God, Jacob finally was forced to give in and the result was a man with a new name, "Israel" which means literally, "governed by God" (Genesis 32).
Another example of this is found in the New Testament life of Paul who had thought he was doing God a favor by persecuting Christians only to find that he was actually opposing Gods will. God knocked Paul down off his high horse and transformed an enemy of God, by grace, into an apostle of God (Acts 7:58; 8:1; 9).
The Bible is filled with those who have been humbled by God because that is the necessary route from sinful self-reliance and pride to humble surrender and salvation.
The Instruments Of Gods Grace
Daniel 4:8-16 "But at last Daniel came before me (his name is Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god; in him is the Spirit of the Holy God), and I told the dream before him, saying:9 "Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that the Spirit of the Holy God is in you, and no secret troubles you, explain to me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and its interpretation.10 "These were the visions of my head while on my bed: "I was looking, and behold, A tree in the midst of the earth, And its height was great.11 The tree grew and became strong; Its height reached to the heavens, And it could be seen to the ends of all the earth.12 Its leaves were lovely, Its fruit abundant, And in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, The birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches, And all flesh was fed from it.13 "I saw in the visions of my head while on my bed, and there was a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven.14 He cried aloud and said thus: Chop down the tree and cut off its branches, Strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts get out from under it, And the birds from its branches.15 Nevertheless leave the stump and roots in the earth, Bound with a band of iron and bronze, In the tender grass of the field. Let it be wet with the dew of heaven, And let him graze with the beasts On the grass of the earth.16 Let his heart be changed from that of a man, Let him be given the heart of a beast, And let seven times pass over him."
Gods primary instrument through which His grace is applied here is a Spirit-filled believer, Daniel. Notice, the king is aware that there is something different about this man Daniel. Daniel must have shared the things of God with Him on occasion or how else would the king be able to say," the Spirit of the Holy God is in you" (4:8,9). Daniel was a shinning light of witness to the king and the king went to him when his own reservoir of wise men was exhausted. King Nebuchadnezzar knew where to go when he was stumped, (no pun intended 4:15).
God Uses The Spirit-filled Person
Even a pagan king could see that there was something different about Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar says of Daniel, "In him is the Spirit of the Holy God . . . the Spirit of the Holy God is in you. For the Spirit of the Holy God is in you" (4:8,9, 18). Daniel is a man filled with the Holy Spirit that was clear to all. God uses the Spirit-filled person to administer His gracious plans. We see this throughout the Bible but especially in the New Testament. Jesus is our model in this. We see God uses Peter, Paul and all believers who are Spirit-filled in this way. The following Scriptures indicate this:
Notice later that Daniel is saddened by the message of the dream to the king. Daniel had evidently grown fond of the king and was a loyal subject. Daniel took no pleasure in giving what he knew would be an interpretation that would be difficult for the king to swallow. Daniel did not approach his task in gleeful self-righteousness, but in humble remorse and compassion for the king (4:19). Daniel hoped that the king would repent now instead of having to go through the hard humbling experience foretold in the dream (4:27). We are always to deliver Gods message in as gentle and loving a way as possible (1 Peter 3:15-16). When the Spirit of God is in you, His love is in you and you relate to the lost accordingly (Romans 5:5; 2 Corinthians 5:141-5).
God uses Angels
Nebuchadnezzar makes mention of "a watcher" (4:13,17,23) which likely refers to an angel or heavenly being. The Bible is clear that such angelic beings exist and that they serve God, (those beings who live in the spirit realm and serve Satan are called demons). Scriptural support for this is found in the following verses:
God uses Dreams
God gets Nebuchadnezzars attention by way of a dream. God frequently uses dreams, (aka "night visions") to communicate and get peoples attention. The term "dream" is found 72 times in 59 Bibles verse in the NKJV Bible. "Dreams" is found 26 times in 25 verses of the NKJV. A "night vision" is referred to 4 times in 4 verses in the Bible. God speaks in dreams but notice it takes a Spirit-filled person to give the correct interpretation of such dreams.
Nebuchadnezzars dream was of a tree that grew strong and tall and bore fruit and was a source of provision for the beasts of the field and the birds of the air used, that tree represented the king (4:20-22). That this great tree would be chopped down and bound with iron and bronze represented the judgment of God on the king (4:23). This judgment would last, "till seven times pass over him" (4:23; 4:16,25 also). Commentators see this as referring to a time of either 7 years or 3 ½ years. Some commentators believe the reference to "times" represents a period of a year, while others believe "times" refers to a passing of the annual seasons. In Babylon they only observed summer and winter and hence the 3 ½ estimation. Based on other uses of the term "times" in the book of Daniel, this author feels the length of time is more likely a year than a seasonal change (See Daniel 7:25; 11:13; 12:7; See also Revelation 12:14). Regardless of which it is, Gods grace sets a limit on this time of discipline for the king. God knew just how long it would take for the king to be humbled. This discipline would be complete but room for restoration was in view as the king was reduced to a "stump" and not totally removed (4:26).
Gods Grace Has A Purpose
Daniel 4:17-27 "This decision is by the decree of the watchers, And the sentence by the word of the holy ones, In order that the living may know That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, Gives it to whomever He will, And sets over it the lowest of men.18 "This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its interpretation, since all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for the Spirit of the Holy God is in you."19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time, and his thoughts troubled him. So the king spoke, and said, "Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you." Belteshazzar answered and said, "My lord, may the dream concern those who hate you, and its interpretation concern your enemies!20 The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which could be seen by all the earth,21 whose leaves were lovely and its fruit abundant, in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the heaven had their home22 it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your dominion to the end of the earth.23 And inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump and roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze in the tender grass of the field; let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him graze with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king:25 They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.26 And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules.27 Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity." (Emphasis added.)
God uses the instruments listed above to bring about His purpose of having Nebuchadnezzar realize, "That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, Gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men" (4:17, see also 4:25). Notice the reference to "the lowest of men." This is a reference to the humbling necessary to those seeking answers, solutions, and salvation. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Salvation necessarily proceeds through the door of humility. You come to God on your knees, (on His terms not your terms) no matter your previous stature in life, and that includes kings. The necessity for humbling prior to salvation and Gods view of the proud as opposed to the humble is seen in the following verses:
Notice also that while God grace would take the king through a long humbling experience, God would eventually restore the king. There is a hard way and an easy way for Gods grace to be applied to our lives. The hard way is to resist like king Neb did. The easy way is to simply comply and surrender to God so that the painful process of humbling will be kept at a minimum. The choice is ours. Daniel tells king Neb as much when he remarks:
All the kings empire had been built on the backs of slave labor amongst whom many were Hebrew captives. Daniel knew the king needed to repent of this and that is what he gently advised him to do. Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" (Matthew 5:7). But king Neb would not hear of it. He was still too proud. But God wasnt finished with king Neb and God would win out in the end and make His point clear to the sinful king.
Gods Grace Aims At The Heart
Daniel 4:28-37 "All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar.29 At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon.30 The king spoke, saying, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?"31 While the word was still in the kings mouth, a voice fell from heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you!32 And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses."33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles feathers and his nails like birds claws.34 And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is from generation to generation.35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, "What have You done?"36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me.37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down."
The dream came to pass just as Daniel had interpreted that it would. Notice, king Nebuchadnezzar behaved for "twelve months" (4:29), but his efforts to live up to Gods standards in his own strength could not conquer his flesh. The Bible tells us that in our strength we are woefully inadequate and it is impossible for us to right ourselves with God (Romans 3; 7:18). Salvation is not by my works, but by Gods works (Ephesians 2:8-9; see above). Therefore, eventually king Nebuchadnezzar boasted, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?" (4:30). He didnt even get the rest of his sentence out when " a voice fell from heaven" (4:31). Perhaps this was the voice of God similar to that heard at Jesus baptism (Matthew 3:17), the Triumphal Entry of Jesus (Matthew 12:28), or at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5). At the simple word of God, this king of a "great" kingdom had his kingdom removed from him. Gods work does not tax Him but He is so mighty that He merely speaks His will and it is accomplished with ease.
Just as the heavenly dream had stated, Nebuchadnezzar dwelled with the animals of the field eating grass like the big dumb ox that he had become. Notice that God has a purpose in all of this. God says he will remain in this condition, "until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses." (4:32).
The term "know" used in verse 32 is yada (Strongs # 3045). This term is a verb which occurs in various other languages ("Ugaritic, Akkadian, Phoenician, Arabic (infrequently), biblical Aramaic, and in Hebrew in all periods"). yada "occurs about 1,040 times (995 in Hebrew and 47 in Aramaic) in the Bible. Essentially yada> means: (1) to know by observing and reflecting (thinking), and (2) to know by experiencing." Noah "knew" the waters of the flood had subsided by making a deduction from the fresh olive branch brought back to the ark by the dove (Genesis 8:11). Noah had to put two and two together in order to come to this conclusion and in this sense "know." Vines Complete Expository Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments states:
"Know" (YADA) also refers to knowing by simple observation with the senses, by firsthand knowledge. " In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were forbidden to eat of the tree whose fruit if eaten would give them the experience of evil and, therefore, the knowledge of both good and evil. Somewhat characteristically the heart plays an important role in knowing. Because they experienced the sustaining presence of God during the wilderness wandering, the Israelites "knew" in their hearts that God was disciplining or caring for them as a father cares for a son (Deut. 8:5). Such knowing can be hindered by a wrongly disposed heart (Ps. 95:10)." (Emphasis added.) (6)
Gods grace was aimed at the heart of king Nebuchadnezzar. No doubt king Nebuchadnezzar was both observing with his senses as well as reflecting with his mind on the predicament his pride and sinfulness had gotten him into. It took this animalistic type of behavior, (mental illness) to get through to the king. He was a very proud man and it would take a very sever humbling experience to get through to his heart. His heart was encased in a hard insensitive shell that only the muck and mire of the ground could soften and break up.
Gods people have had hard hearts that needed breaking. Jeremiah and other prophets conveyed this when God inspired them to write:
The bible tells us that salvation is performed in the heart. Yes, the king had to observe and reflect, but the work of saving his soul occurred by Gods grace in his heart. The Bible is clear on this when it states:
When king Neb finally got to the end of himself, he "blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation" (4:34). He finally realized that nothing or no one in all the earth compares to God (4:35). Just as God had promised in the dream, when the king came to "know" this, he was restored to his throne. Now he was better equipped for his calling as king. The saving truth for the king was:
Conclusion
Pride is a terrible thing. It blinds a person to their need for God and in so doing robs them of a beautiful and full eternal life with God. Sometimes we are tempted to think some people are beyond the touch of Gods grace. Daniel 4 and the testimony of king Nebuchadnezzar shows us there is hope to think otherwise. No one is beyond the reach of Gods grace unless they outright refuse to respond to it. Has God been trying to teach you something, to humble you? Have you been resisting and therefore coming to "know" the truth the hard way? Have you been discouraged over the lostness of a loved one or friend? Have you been brought low in order to humble you and prepare your heart to receive Gods gracious gift of salvation? Take hope, God is a gracious King who works salvation in the lives of the proud and lost. Sooner or later everyone will come to know, God rules over the universe. God is a gracious King, why would anyone not want Him to rule over them? (Unless they had been blinded by pride and the world.) Surrender to Him and enjoy His eternal life.
(1) Jerome H. Smith, editor, The New Treasury Of Scripture Knowledge [computer file], electronic edition of the revised edition of The Treasury Of Scripture Knowledge, Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1992 by Jerome H. Smith.
(2) Thomas Nelson, Inc., Heritage Of Great Evangelical Teaching: Featuring the best of Martin Luther, John Wesley, Dwight L. Moody, C.H. Spurgeon and others [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1996.
(3) Chuck Smith, the Word For Today Study Guide The Book of Daniel, (the Word For Today, P.O. 8000, Costa Mesa, CA 92628) p.3
(4) Chuck Smith, Chuck Smith Archives CalvaryChapel Internet Library, Word For Today Tape # 5155, Transcript, P.O. Box 8000, Costa Mesa, CA 92628(5) Chuck Smith, Word For Today audiotape #7340, P.O. Box 8000, Costa Mesa, CA 92628.
(6) W.E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger and William White, Vines Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1996