STUDIES IN THE BOOK OF DANIEL.

June 10, 2021

Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony to the glory of God… continues Dan. 4:1-37. Key: 4:17, 25

“One of the most difficult lessons to learn is that God is sovereign. He is above all of those who are above us. He limits the power and authority of all the government, business, and religious leaders in the world. Those who live in freedom and with a relatively high degree of autonomy find this difficult to understand. While we may feel as though we are free to do what we please, God is sovereign overall of our plans and desires.” LAN

  1. Dan. 4:19-27 “Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him… Belteshazzar answered…The tree thou sawest…It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong…This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field…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…Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness…”
  2. 19. overwhelmed with awe at the terrible import of the dream. ch. 7:28; 8:27; 10:16, 17. Je. 4:19. Hab. 3:10. let. ver. 4, 5. 1 Sa. 3:17.
  3. let not the dream … trouble thee—”Many despots would have punished a prophet who dared to foretell his overthrow. Nebuchadnezzar assures Daniel he may freely speak out.” JFB
  4. the dream be to them that hate thee—”We are to desire the prosperity of those under whose authority God’s providence has placed us (Je 29:7). The wish here is not so much against others, as for the king: a common formula (2 Sa 18:32). It is not the language of uncharitable hatred.” JFB
  5. 20-26. “The tree is the king. The branches, the princes. The leaves, the soldiers. The fruits, the revenues. The shadow, the protection afforded to dependent states” JFB
  6. 24-26 decree. See on ver. 17. Job 20:29, marg. Ps. 2:7; 148:6. Is. 14:24–27; 23:9; 46:10, 11. come. Job 1:12–19; 40:11, 12. Ps. 107:40 TSK
  7. 27. Be open my counsel. Ge. 41:33–37, Ac. 24:25. 2Cor. 5:11. Break off your sins Job 34:31-32, Pr. 28:13, Is. 55:6-7, Eze. 18:21, 27–32, Mat. 3:8, Ac. 8:22; 26:20, Ja. 4:8–10, 1 Pe. 4:8. by shewing mercy Ps. 41:1–3, Is. 58:5–7, 10–12, Gal. 5:6, 13, 22, Ep. 4:28. if it may be 1Ki. 21:29, Joel 2:14, Jonah. 3:5-9, Is. 38:1-5, Zep. 2:2, 3. lengthening of thy tranquillity or, healing of thine error TSK