Daniel 4
David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin
Daniel 4
Guzik comments... The tree in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was noted for its size, strength, prominence, beauty, fruit, and shelter. Daniel 4:12 'Its foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, And in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, And the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches, And all living creatures fed themselves from it. the beasts: Jer 27:6,7 Eze 17:23 31:6 shadow: La 4:20) (the fowls: Mk 13:32 Lk 13:19 Daniel 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Fruit abundant...food for all - The king was benefactor of all the subjects under his rule. As they often say "so far, so good." The front end of the dream was pleasing and satisfying to Nebuchadnezzar, but that picture would soon change. The different creatures undoubtedly represent the people under his rule ("dominion to the end of the earth" Da 4:22) Daniel 4:13 'I was looking in the visions in my mind as I lay on my bed, and behold, an angelic watcher, a holy one, descended from heaven. in the: Da 4:5,10 7:1 Da 4:17,23 Ps 103:2 an holy: Da 8:13 De 33:2 Ps 89:7 Zec 14:5 Mt 25:31 Mk 1:24 Lk 4:34 Jude 1:14 Rev 14:10 Daniel 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries An angelic watcher, a holy one - Note that angelic is not in the original Aramaic but is added by the translators of the NAS. The ESV for example reads "a watcher, a holy one" Watcher (05894)(ir/iyr) is a unique Aramaic word (only in Daniel 4:13, 17, 23) which means watchman and comes from the verb meaning to be wakeful or on watch. The idea is a "waking one", one who is constantly alert. NET Note - Aram “a watcher and a holy one.” The expression is a Hendiadys; so also in Da 4:23. This “watcher” is apparently an angel. The Greek OT (LXX) in fact has angelos (aggelos), “angel” here. Theodotion simply transliterates the Aramaic word (’ir). The term is sometimes rendered “sentinel” (NAB) or “messenger” (NIV, NLT). (NET translates it "holy sentinel") Undoubtedly the NAS is correct that this is an angelic being. How do we know? The context would be compatible - (1) Nebuchadnezzar sees something about him that causes him to describe him as a "holy one", suggesting supernatural origin (2) Holy one (not an evil, fallen angel!) describes one set apart for a special purpose. (3) His purpose is to deliver a message, which was frequently the "job description" Jamieson has a lengthy note on watcher - Only one angel is intended, and he not one of the bad, but of the holy angels. Called a "watcher," because ever on the watch to execute God's will [JEROME], "Bless the Lord, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word! Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You who serve Him, doing His will." (Ps 103:20, 21). Compare as to their watchfulness, Rev. 4:8-note, "full of eyes within . . . they rest not day and night." (Ed: Rev 4:8 strictly speaking are not angels per se). Also they watch good men committed to their charge (Ps 34:7 Heb 1:14); and watch over the evil to record their sins, and at God's bidding at last punish them (Jer 4:16, 17), "watchers" applied to human instruments of God's vengeance. As to GOD (Da 9:14 Job 7:12 Job 14:16 Jer 44:27). In a good sense (Ge 31:49 Jer 31:28). The idea of heavenly "watchers" under the supreme God (called in the Zendavesta of the Persian Zoroaster, Ormuzd) was founded on the primeval revelation as to evil angels having watched for an opportunity until they succeeded in tempting man to his ruin, and good angels ministering to God's servants (as Jacob, Ge 28:15 Ge 32:1, 2). Compare the watching over Abraham for good, and over Sodom for wrath after long watching in vain for good men it it, for whose sake He would spare it, Ge 18:23-33; and over Lot for good, Ge 19:1-38 Daniel fitly puts in Nebuchadnezzar's mouth the expression, though not found elsewhere in Scripture, yet substantially sanctioned by it (2Ch 16:9 Pr 15:3 Jer 32:19), and natural to him according to Oriental modes of thought. The writer of Hebrews asks rhetorically about the angels "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14-note) Comment: Indeed, if Nebuchadnezzar was indeed converted in Daniel 4 as I believe, we see that the watcher that brought him a frightful message, in effect functioned as God's minister or servant, to this pagan king who was soon to inherit salvation! Dr Henry Morris in his comment on Heb 1:14 says "This important passage indicates that the primary reason why God created the angels is so they could serve to implement His purpose in creating and redeeming men and women in His own image. Angels possess great wisdom (2 Samuel 14:20), great strength (Psalm 103:20), great speed (Daniel 9:21), and great numbers (Hebrews 12:22) in performing this ministry. They accomplish their ministry on behalf of the heirs of salvation in various ways, including: instruction (Acts 10:3-6), deliverance (Psalm 34:7; 91:11), comfort (Matthew 1:20; Luke 22:43) and, finally, reception at death (Luke 16:22). They were created to be ministering spirits, continually sent forth to minister (that is, serve) those who shall be heirs of salvation." (Defender's Study Bible Note on Hebrews 1:14) The psalmist writes "No evil will befall you, Nor will any plague come near your tent. For (explaining Ps 91:10) He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard (Heb = shamar = to watch, to keep, to preserve, to guard, to care for; Lxx = to carefully guard, protect and take care of) you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands, That you do not strike your foot against a stone." (Ps 91:10-12)
Daniel 4
Guzik comments that... Late-daters of Daniel (who say that it was written in the times of the Maccabees, around 167BC) can’t explain how a late writer would have known to accurately attribute the spectacular buildings of Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar. One liberal Bible commentator, R. H. Pfeiffer, says of this problem: “we shall presumably never know.” Charles Dyer records the following extra-biblical note... On the brick wall towards the north my heart inspired me to build a palace for the protecting of Babylon. "I built there a palace like the palace of Babylon of brick and bitumen...I raised its summit and connected it with the palace with brick and bitumen. I made it high as a mountain. Mighty cedar trunks I laid on it for roof. Double doors of cedar wood overlaid with copper, thresholds and hinges made of bronze did I set up in its doorways. That building I named "May Nebuchadnezzar live, may he grow old as restorer of Esagila." -- AN ANCIENT INSCRIPTION ABOUT THE BUILDING OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S PALACE ON THE NORTHERN EDGE OF BABYLON... No doubt about it—Babylon was majestic. Nebuchadnezzar had buried the Ishtar Gate built by his father so he could construct a new (and far more magnificent!) Ishtar Gate on top of it. He rebuilt the southern palace, constructed the hanging gardens, repaired the walls around the city, restored the Tower of Babel and the temple to Marduk, and built or extensively repaired most of the other temples in the city. His building exploits were legendary. On many of the bricks he had made for his building projects he stamped the following inscription: "I am Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, king of everything from sea to far sea." Nebuchadnezzar's boasting was not false, but it was prideful. (Charles H Dyer. The Rise of Babylon. Moody) Below is a depiction of the reconstructed (from material excavated from Babylon) Ishtar gate (named for a Babylonian goddess of love and war - click picture to enlarge) now housed in the Berlin Steve Zeisler relates the interesting snippet about a modern arrogant ruler... Kim Jong Il, the ruler of North Korea, celebrated his fifty-ninth birthday last week. The North Korean state press reported without any irony that there were unusual multiple rainbows in the winter sky and that remarkable storms rolled through with unusually resonant thunder. The conclusion was that nature itself was celebrating the birthday of the exalted leader of North Korea. Throughout history those with great power over nations have imagined that nature bowed to their greatness. They have often believed, as have their subjects, that they were divine in their makeup and authority. One of the oldest and worst of ideas is that you can be like God in defiance of God. This idea was spoken first by the serpent in the garden and has been taken up over and over again in history. (The End of Arrogance) Who Deserves The Credit - Historian Stephen E. Ambrose believes that heroes made the United States "the best and greatest country that ever was." He attributes its greatness to presidents like Washington and Jefferson and to explorers like Lewis and Clark. Ambrose wrote, "God had nothing to do with it. It was people that made it." That view focuses on the noteworthy contributions of men and women, yet it fails to recognize that behind the scenes God guides and controls the rise and fall of all nations. King Nebuchadnezzar thought he was responsible for building his great kingdom. He boasted, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built . . . by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?" (Dan. 4:30). Those words were still in his mouth when God humbled him so he became like an animal and ate the grass of the field. Seven years later he declared, "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" (Da 4:35). Help us, Lord, to see successes In the context of Your grace; Keep us from all pride and boasting That ignores Your rightful place. —Sper True humility credits God for every success. Daniel 4:31 "While the word was in the king's mouth, a voice came from heaven, saying,' King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you, the word: Da 5:4,5 Ex 15:9,10 Job 20:23 Lk 12:20 Ac 12:22,23 1Th 5:3) (fell: Da 4:24,34 Mt 3:17 Jn 12:28 Ac 9:3-5 Rev 16:7 Sovereignty...removed: Da 5:28 1Sa 13:14 15:23 Daniel 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries HOW TO GET A QUICK TRANSFER FROM THE PALACE TO THE PASTURE! While the word was in the king's mouth - Immediate judgment from God (Da 4:33) while he was in the very act of speaking, so that there was no doubt as to the connection between the crime and the punishment! God is long-suffering with sinners, but when the time comes for Him to act, there is no delay. To be sure, sometimes God's judgments are delayed (even as exemplified by the 12 month respite for Nebuchadnezzar), but they are always certain (see the danger of self deception regarding divine delay = Ec 8:11). God's declarations of judgment are as sure as the sun rising, even the writer of Hebrews testifies... For the word of God is (#1) living and active and (#2) sharper than any two-edged sword, and (#3) piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and (#4) able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight (#5), but all things are open and laid bare (#6) to the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:12, 13) Jesus' parable of the rich man is similar... And I (the rich man) will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry." "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?' (Luke 12:19, 20) Sovereignty has been removed from you - This is a clear illustration of Da 2:21 and the fact that God resists the pride of men, be they great or small. But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED (antitasso in the antitasso = He is continually arranging Himself in battle as it were against the pride of men) TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE....Humble (tapeinoo = to make low and is in the aorist imperative = like a military order calling for full attention and immediate obedience. Don't delay!) yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. (James 4:6-note, Jas 4:10-note) Comment: Note that the command to humble is passive voice which indicates that the subject acting upon the individual is an outside force, in this case God Himself (the "divine passive"). The idea then is not so much to be humbled but to allow yourself to be humbled or placed in a lower position. It is not to be a forced humiliation, but a voluntary self-abasement. This work of God in humbling us is a work of His grace -- the "gravity of grace" always flows from higher to lower. Archibald Alexander said that "Humility is to the Christian what ballast is to the ship; it keeps him in his proper position and regulates all his thoughts and feelings." The more an unbeliever sees God as He really is, glorious and holy, the more clearly he sees himself as he really is, sinful and depraved. Great thoughts of self and great grace never go together. Self-consciousness is a sure sign that there is not much depth of grace. He who overvalues himself undervalues his Saviour. Steven Cole rightly draws our attention to an important principle: The key to developing biblical humility is in the phrase, in the presence of the Lord (Jas 4:10). Only those with hardened hearts could be proud in the presence of the Lord! The holy angels in His presence cover their faces (Isa 6:2). When Isaiah had his vision of the Lord, he was undone—personally shattered—and immediately aware of his own sinfulness (Isa 6:5). When God portrayed the wonders of creation before Job, he had no further arguments against God. Instead, he said (Job 42:6), “I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes.” When the apostle John, who formerly had rested his head on Jesus’ chest, saw Him in His glory on the Isle of Patmos, he fell at His feet as a dead man (Rev 1:17-note). (Sermon) Phil Newton offers insight on why one would humble themselves in God's presence: Consider the many times we see humility taking place in Scripture. It seems that there is a pattern of God's people recognizing the Lord's presence or something of His attributes, and then the response is humility (e.g., Isaiah, Joshua, David, Moses, Peter, John). (1) They caught a glimpse of God, as they had never had before; they saw and experienced something of the divine character before them. (2) Consequently, each responded by seeing his own weakness, unworthiness, and helplessness (Mt 5:3-note). This is the very opposite of the pastor from another generation of whom it was said he could "strut sitting down." So, think upon the Lord; get a clear view of your own selfishness with time, money, conversation, and interests; acknowledge God's worth above all. (Sermons from the Epistle of James) Dr. Bonar once remarked that he could tell when a Christian was growing. In proportion to his growth in grace he would elevate his Master, talk less of what he was doing, and become smaller and smaller in his own esteem, until, like the morning star, he faded away before the rising sun. Jonathan was willing to decrease, that David might increase; and John the Baptist showed the same spirit of humility. Peter echoes this divine doctrine writing that... GOD IS OPPOSED (antitasso -see Jas 4:6 above) TO THE PROUD (huperephanos from huper =over, above, + phaino =shine, show > picture of head held high above others, even "above God"!), BUT (contrast) GIVES GRACE (charis) TO THE HUMBLE (tapeinos = low, not high, not rising far from the ground). Humble (see Jas 4:6 above) yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time (1Pe 5:5, 6) John Flavel had it right declaring They that know God will be humble, and they that know themselves cannot be proud. As someone once said, The ears of barley that bear the richest grain always hang the lowest. Puritan William Secker wrote that Pride is a sinner's torment, but humility is a saint's ornament. Andrew Murray once asked... Do you want to enter what people call "the higher life"? Then go a step lower down. Luke records the story of King Herod another prideful ruler who was opposed by God... And on an appointed day Herod, having put on his royal apparel, took his seat on the rostrum (bema) and began delivering an address to them. And the people kept crying out, "The voice of a god and not of a man!" And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died. (Acts 12:21, 22, 23) In the psalms David speaking for God says... No one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart will I endure. (Ps 101:5) Comment: Pride will sit and show itself in the eyes as soon as anywhere. A man is seen what he is in oculis, in poculis, in loculis (in his eyes, his cups, and his resorts) say the Rabbis. See Pr 6:17. --John Trapp. And again David writes... For you save a humble (tapeinos) people, but the haughty (proud) eyes you bring down (low) (Heb = shaphel = to be or become low or abased; Lxx = tapeinoo). (Psalm 18:27ESV-note) Daniel 4:32 and you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.' they shall drive: Da 4:14-16,25,26 5:21 Job 30:5-7 until: Da 4:17,25 Ex 8:10 9:14,29 Jos 4:24 Job 12:18-21 Pr 8:15,16 Isa 37:20 45:3 Jer 27:5 Daniel 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries This is not a psychosis in the strictest sense but represents God induced humiliation. Merrill Unger quotes ancient sources that seem to allude to Nebuchadnezzar's 7 periods of beastly "sabbatical"... Berossus, a Babylonian priest of the 3rd century BC, notes that Nebuchadnezzar after he had reigned 43 years ‘was suddenly invaded by sickness’ (Contra Apionem 1:20 = from Works of Josephus), obviously referring to some unusual malady. Eusebius in his Praeparatio Evangelica (9:41) quotes from Abydenus concerning Nebuchadnezzar in his last days "being possessed by some god [demon] or other’ and who having uttered a prophecy concerning the coming of the Persian conqueror ‘immediately disappeared." Critics disregard these allusions and maintain that Nebuchadnezzar’s madness is a fictitious element of Daniel. But if history were silent, that in itself would not be sufficient evidence to reject the historicity of this chapter. The ‘seven times,’ 16, are likely ‘seven years.’...A Dead Sea Scroll text identifies such a mental malady with Nabonidus. Why then would it be impossible for Nebuchadnezzar? (New Unger's Bible Handbook) Until - Don't miss this expression of time - Webster says until is "used as a function word to indicate continuance (as of an action or condition) to a specified time. Here until indicates that the beastly behavior would end when he came to his senses. Until you recognize - Nebuchadnezzar had to be humbled before he could be exalted (Jas 4:10). The chastisement of God is always for a holy and helpful purpose. Bestows it - This repeats Da 2:21 which states that God removes kings and establishes kings. Whomever He wishes - God is in control. Over and over this chapter emphasizes God's sovereignty. John