Daniel 4:31-37

Daniel 4:31

While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.

 

The king did not take the warning seriously.  His arrogance and pride was not abated and Daniel had told him that if he cuts off his sins, he could be spared this time of testing and humiliation.  While the king was speaking these words about his own self-importance, a voice from Heaven was now delivering the penalty that he was warned about.  His kingdom was now taken away from him and for the next seven years, he pride will be dealt with.  The word “departed” carries with it the meaning of “removed.”  So now the warning which Daniel has given him has now come to fruition.  This principle is important in the life of every Christian.  How many times do we desire to do something and someone comes to us and tells us that we should not.  Instead of heeding the advice, we just continue in our path and eventually we are chastised for being disobedient.  The king’s attitude is found in almost every person on earth.

 

Daniel 4:32

And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

 

The decree is once more spoken to Nebuchadnezzar that he shall be driven or expelled from men, that is, where people dwell and he shall be with the beasts of the field and instead of having great dainties to eat, he will eat grass like a horse or an ox for a period of seven years which at that time he will come to know that the Most High rules in the kingdoms on earth and God sets up rulers according to His will and it is not by the will of man are they appointed ruler but by God’s will.  Everything that happens in this world is by sovereign decree.

 

Daniel 4:33

The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.

 

Immediately, what was prophesied came to pass on Nebuchadnezzar.  He was driven or expelled from the palace and his body had become wet by means of the dew which fell from Heaven, especially in the morning.  His bodily features also changed, instead of his hair being kept neat it now grew wild and long and his toe and finger nails grew like bird claws which means they were long, sharp, and curled.  He looked like someone who was really living the life in the wilderness.

 

Daniel 4:34

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 honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:

 

The end of the days will carry a double meaning here.  First it points to the fact that this was the forty second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign after which he only lived one more year.  Secondly, the end of days will point to the end of his humiliation, that the seven years was now over and his reasoning had been returned to him.   Then the king looked up into Heaven and blessed the most High as he now realizes that it is God who rules in the kingdoms of men, no matter how powerful they think they are.  Then the king had begun to praise the Lord and honored Him.  He now realized that God is eternal and man is only temporal.  Along with being everlasting, God rules and has eternal dominion over everything, and even though the kingdoms of man come and go, the Kingdom of God never ends.  This testimony that the King is giving is a testimony that a saved person would give.  An unbeliever would give more of a testimony of fear in what power God has instead Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony is more in line with someone who feels at ease in the presence of God as does a true believer.

 

Daniel 4:35

And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

 

The king realizes that in comparison to the greatness of God, the people of the earth are reputed or regarded as nothing.  This is not only the poor or common people of this world but also those who rule in the kingdoms of earth.  This was the mighty lesson that the king learned when God removed the kingdom from him temporarily while he dealt with his pride and arrogance.  Then the king proclaims something that even many Christians today do not acknowledge.  That God does according to His will in both Heaven and on earth.  Many Christians today do not understand that it is God who gives salvation according to His will and not the will of man.  John 1:12-13 (KJV)   But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  {13} Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  The king also learned that once God has decreed something, man has no ability to thwart what God has begun.  It will be accomplished no matter what.  Then the king states something which is also found in Romans.  When God begins to do something, what man can speak against Him or question Him as to what he is doing?  Romans 9:20 (KJV)   Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?  

 

Daniel 4:36

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 counsellers and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.

 

Once the time of his humiliation had ended, the king’s reason had been returned to him.  He was now thinking clearly.  Now for the glory of Babylon, he has now been restored to the throne.  He no longer was the human beast of the field but was now cleaned up and the people saw him once again as the majestic king of Babylon.  The word “brightness” carries with it the meaning of “cheerfulness or countenance.”  The king‘s countenance or his face now shown with a new cheerfulness instead of a grueling outlook.  Since the king was now back in power and in his right mind, all his staff, the counselors and the lords who ruled with him had come to him.  He was once again fixed or established in his kingdom as the King of Babylon and with that came the majesty of the throne and office.  Probably more honor and obedience was shown to him because he now had a new outlook and was probably a wiser king than he was before his time of testing.

 

Daniel 4:37

Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

 

Now Nebuchadnezzar makes it known that he is the one who now acknowledges the fact that there is a true God in Heaven.  He then goes on to praise God which a person of his pre-humiliation pride and being the king would never have done.  He also extols God in Heaven.  To extol is to exalt in commendation or magnify in words.  Nebuchadnezzar was exalting God to those who were hearing him.  He also gave honor unto the Lord as one gives to a higher authority.  An arrogant king would never do this, instead he would want all the honor for himself.  He then proclaims that all of the works of God are based in truth and there is no hidden agendas because God does many of His works out in the open as He did with Nebuchadnezzar.  Nebuchadnezzar also admits fully that what God did to him was a just reward for his pride and arrogance.  God judged him and dealt with him accordingly to bring him back to sanity and a proper outlook on both God and his rule in the kingdom.  The word “abase” carries with it the meaning of “humbled or to be subdued.”  To go seven years in the wilderness eating grass can be a very humbling experience.

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