Daniel 4
John Piper · Citado em PreceptAustin
Daniel 4
Piper - Are You Humble Enough to Be Care-Free?) John Wesley rightly remarks that "All pride is idolatry." Simply looking at the word "pride" gives us a clue as to the main problem. PRIDE In other words "I" is the problem, that "virus" passed down from Adam to all mankind (Ro 5:12-note), and known as the flesh (self) . Believers need to remember that they also possess the flesh, the evil disposition and anti-God tendency in all mankind. Praise God for the Cross which releases us from the power of sin by the blood of the Lamb (Rev 1:5-note). Andrew
Daniel 4
Piper - No king, no president, no premier, no Ayatollah can stay the hand of the Lord when he has purposed to do a thing. “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will” (Proverbs 21:1). “Many are the plans of the mind of a man (of a king!), but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established” (Proverbs 19:21). (Pray for Kings and All in High Positions) Dyer rightly says that "Like his predecessors at the Tower of Babel, the king of Babylon learned that his greatest achievements fell far short when measured against God's majesty." (Ibid) Daniel 4:33 "Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled; and he was driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair had grown like eagles' feathers and his nails like birds' claws. same: Da 5:5 Job 20:5 Isa 30:14 1Th 5:2 and he was: Da 4:25,32 Daniel 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries CHICKENS ALWAYS COME HOME TO ROOST! Immediately the word...was fulfilled - As Eccl 8:11 says the fulfillment of God's Word may be delayed, but His Word never fails and will be fulfilled exactly when He desires (see Josh 23:14). In this case the fulfillment was immediate and was directly connected with the king's boasting! Nu 32:23 expresses the principle of paying the piper so to speak - "be sure your sin will find you out!" The Septuagint translates "find you out" with the verb katalambano (the prefix "kata" intensifies the meaning and adds the sense of suddenness) which means to seize with force, (with suddenness) to overtake, which is exactly what happened to Nebuchadnezzar. Even as he spoke with such pomposity and boasting, "shazam," immediately the Word (of God's prophetic promise) was fulfilled." Katalambano is used by Paul to describe the future coming of the Day of the Lord, of a time of spiritual darkness, which will suddenly overtake all who have rejected Christ and this overtaking will be like a thief. (1Th 5:4-note, 1Th 5:2-note) The chickens always come home to roost! The skeletons eventually come out of the closet. Though the wheels of God grind slowly, they grind exceedingly small. Be sure your sin will find you out! Immediately (08160)(saah) is an Aramaic feminine noun meaning a short time, a brief time span, almost immediately. The people were warned in Da 3:6 and Da 3:15 that they would be thrown immediately into the furnace of fire if they did not bow and worship the golden image. Here in Da 4:33 the Septuagint translates "immediately" with the phrase "in the same hour" (aute te hora). Although it is difficult to find substantiation in extra-biblical literature, the NLT Study Bible has this intriguing note "Several ancient sources lend support to this account, and the king's annals are notably empty from 582 to 575BC." Fulfilled (05487)(sup) is an Aramaic verb meaning to be fulfilled, to be ended, to end. In Da 2:44 it is used to describe God's Kingdom which "will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms." Here in Da 4:33 sup is translated in the Lxx (Theodoret) with the verb sunteleo which means to bring something to an end, to finish it, or to complete it. The prophetic promise given in the vision some 12 months earlier is now fulfilled. God always keeps His word. Hair like eagle's feathers - This simile could refer to length (eagle's feathers grow up to 22" long) and/or the appearance (hair matted together mimicking feathers). Dr G B Zustiak writes that "From the description given of Nebuchadnezzar, however, he though of himself as an ox; which makes the disease more specifically to have been boanthropy ("ox man")...A. R. Short, in his book, The Bible and Modern Medicine, described another variety of "animal illness" called avianthropy, in which the patient was convinced that he was a cock-pheasant, and roosted in a tree each night instead of sleeping in a bed." (Boanthropy) Carl Jung (not a believer) would describe "Nebuchadnezzar...[as] a complete regressive degeneration of a man who has overreached himself." (Whatever that means!) Painting of Nebuchadnezzar by William Blake Living Like An Animal - After 60 years and 6 million visitors, the zoo in Milan, Italy, was shut down. Animal-rights activists had protested that conditions in the zoo were unfit for the animals caged there. But when the animals moved out, homeless people moved in. Until city leaders intervened, hundreds of them began sneaking into the cages under the cover of darkness, looking for a night's rest. Ironically, the zoo was only a 5-minute walk from one of Europe's most expensive shopping districts. Within 400 yards of the cages, the shops of Italian fashion designers lined a street that attracted big spenders from all over the world. There is something sad about people who live like animals. But who was further from the image of God--those taking shelter in the zoo or the big spenders a few blocks away? The mighty king Nebuchadnezzar had been warned in a dream that he would be eating grass with the animals unless he changed his proud, sinful ways. The prophet Daniel told him to stop sinning and to show mercy to the poor (Da 4:27). But Nebuchadnezzar refused, and his nightmare came true. The pride and arrogance of man Is evil in God's sight, Because there's nothing man can do Without God's strength and might. --Sper We are never so empty as when we are full of self. Daniel 4:34 "But at the end of that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason 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 endures from generation to generation. at the end: Da 4:16,26,32 raised: Ps 121:1 123:1 130:1,2 Jonah 2:2, 3, 4 Lk 18:13 I blessed: Job 1:21 Ps 50:14 103:1, 2, 3, 4 107:8,15,22,31 Isa 24:15 La 3:19-23 the most High: Da 4:17,32 Ps 7:17 9:2 92:1 La 3:38 him: Da 12:7 Ps 90:2 102:24 146:10 Jer 10:10 Jn 5:26 1Ti 1:17 6:16 Rev 4:10 10:6 whose: Da 4:3 2:44 7:14 Ps 10:16 145:13 Isa 9:6,7 Jer 10:10 Mic 4:7 Lk 1:33 Rev 11:15 is from: Ps 90:1 Daniel 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries But - A crucial term of contrast for Nebuchadnezzar. A change of direction is about to occur, which ultimately will result in a change in his eternal destiny (in my opinion -- I think he came to personally know the Most High God). At the end of that period - When? Exactly when God had decreed - at the end of 7 periods of time (as discussed probably seven years). God is never early and never late! I Nebuchadnezzar raised my eyes - The king makes a choice of his will (enabled by divine grace of course) to raise his eyes toward heaven (from whence came the voice Da 4:31). Here we encounter the interaction of the mysterious truths of man's responsibility (I...raised) and God's sovereignty (My reason returned = God gave it back to him). Jamieson observes that "Nebuchadnezzar's looking up towards heaven was the first symptom of his "understanding" having "returned." Before, like the beasts, his eyes had been downward to the earth. Now, like Jonah's (Jon 2:1, 2, 4) out of the fish's belly, they are lifted up to heaven in prayer. He turns to Him that smiteth him (Isa 9:13), with the faint glimmer of reason left to him, and owns God's justice in punishing him. The psalmist has a similar description... To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens! (Ps 123:1)
Daniel 4
Piper observes that "When your eyes are Godward, your reason returns. Why? Because your mind was made for God. And when Nebuchadnezzar’s reason returns, he uses it as God intended: “he blessed and praised and glorified the One who lives for ever.” (The First Dark Exchange- Idolatry) Note that this pagan king's testimony to the goodness and grace of God, which wrought his repentance and conversion, presents a beautiful pattern for every testimony by beginning and ending with praise to the Most High God (Da 4:2). Beloved, let me encourage you to (1) give your testimony (first by living out the supernatural changed life which opens the door for speaking out about the supernatural works of our great God) to those whom God has placed in your purview and (2) begin and end with praise to God, taking care to not grovel in the details of your life "before Christ"! Blessed the Most High - This reminds one of the David's words (note the parallels to the king's experience in Daniel 4)... 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits (rewards); 3 Who pardons all your iniquities (including pride); Who heals all your diseases; (including loss of reason) 4 Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; 5 Who satisfies your years with good things (cp Da 4:36), So that your youth is renewed like the eagle (Interesting simile!). Ps 103:1, 2, 3, 4, 5-Spurgeon's notes Him Who lives forever...everlasting dominion...kingdom endures - Each of these descriptions emphasizes the eternality of God and His immutable (unchangeable) sovereignty. Jamieson comments on the significance of the king's praise noting that... Praise is a sure sign of a soul spiritually healed (Ps 116:12, 14 Mk 5:15, 18, 19). Daniel 4:35 "All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, 'What have You done?' all: Job 34:14,15,19-24 Isa 40:15-17,22-24 and he: 1Sa 3:18 Job 23:13 Ps 33:9-11 115:3 135:6 Isa 14:24-27 Isa 46:10,11 Mt 11:25,26 Ac 4:28 Eph 1:11 Php 2:10,11 the inhabitants: Ps 33:8,14 49:1 Isa 26:9 none: Job 9:4,13 34:29 40:9-12 42:2 Pr 21:30 Isa 43:13 Ac 5:39 9:5 Ac 11:17 1Co 10:22 What: Job 9:12 33:12,13 40:2 Isa 45:9-11 Ro 9:19,20 11:33-36 1Co 2:16 Daniel 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries There's not a plant or flower below But makes his glories known; And clouds arise, and tempests blow By order from his throne. Isaac Watts (Play - I Sing the Mighty Power of God) He does according to His will - Again His sovereignty is emphasized. See (Ps 115:3 Ps 135:6 Mt 6:10 Eph 1:11).
Daniel 4
Piper - The purposes of God cannot be frustrated; there is none like God. If a purpose of God came to naught, it would imply that there is a power greater than God’s. It would imply that someone could stay His hand when He designs to do a thing. But “none can stay his hand” (Da 4:34, 35) (Desiring God) The antidote to Nebuchadnezzar’s pride was not merely a new knowledge in the head, but a new exultation in the heart. His “praise” and “exultation” reveal the wakening of faith, and the gladness that God ruled the future with the omnipotent grace to establish his plan and humble the proud. He was satisfied with God’s prerogative to do as he pleases in the sovereign freedom of his justice and grace. (Future Grace) (Bolding Added) See Related Resources: THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing Daniel 4:36 "At that time my reason returned to me. And my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom, and my counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my sovereignty, and surpassing greatness was added to me. my reason: Da 4:34 mine: Da 4:15,16,32 2Ch 33:12,13 added: 1Sa 2:30 Job 13:12 Pr 22:4 Mt 6:33 2Co 4:17 Daniel 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries My counselors and my nobles - The fact that the king was not overthrown by these men during his seven years of humiliation is clear testimony to the miraculous nature of these events. Most kings have enough difficulty remaining in power when they are healthy and have full reasoning powers, much less when they begin to get "bats in the belfry"! Daniel 4:37 "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride." I Nebuchadnezzar: Da 4:3,34 5:4,23 1Pe 2:9,10 the King: Da 5:23 Mt 11:25 Ac 17:24 all: De 32:4 1Sa 2:3 Ps 33:4,5 99:4 119:75 145:17,18 Isa 5:16 Rev 15:3 16:7 19:1,2 those that walk: Da 4:30,31 5:20-24 Ex 18:11 2Ch 33:11,12,19 Job 40:11,12 Eze 16:56,63 Jas 4:6,7 1Pe 5:5,6 Daniel 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Daniel a young Jewish boy fulfilled the goal Jehovah had intended for the entire nation of Israel to fulfill. As Luke (a Gentile) records in Acts 13:47-48 "For thus the Lord has commanded us, 'I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES, THAT YOU SHOULD BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.' And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed." Daniel was a light who shown forth the light of life (Jn 8:12) to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of kings. Praise, exalt and honor - He cannot praise God enough, reflecting now not just a return of his reason but a liberation of his heart to worship the one true God. To say that this is just an intellectual response by the king and not evidence of genuine conversion seems to me to be ludicrous. Why else would he go to such lengths to heap word upon word in his exultation of the Most High! Those who walk in pride - This is Nebuchadnezzar's self-condemnation before the whole world that he walked in pride and for that he was justly humbled by God. Tony Evans - This is a sobering lesson for any of us who are tempted to develop a “theo-ego,” a God complex. Whenever you get so big that you don’t think you need God, people may as well get your room in the sanitarium ready, because you have already lost your mind. We need to say it again. God is in control. He sets up kings and He brings down kings. Listen to Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony. “He is able to humble those who walk in pride” (Daniel 4:37). You and I are only what God allows us to be. (Evans, A. T. The Best is Yet to Come : Bible Prophecies Through the Ages) As