Currently in Texas awaiting my next flight, I am once again studying the Old Testament book of Daniel. In today’s time I focused upon chapter 4 wherein Daniel once again proves to be a truth-teller to Nebuchandnezzar. Daniel does at least three things: 1) he interprets the king’s dream and its future fulfillment via precise detail and accuracy; 2) he (Daniel) serves as a paragon of godly wisdom amidst a culture of fools; and 3) we see that wisdom and humility are inextricable.

Daniel’s words:

²⁰ “The tree you saw, which grew and became strong, so that its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth, ²¹ whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which beasts of the field found shade, and in whose branches the birds of the heavens lived— ²² it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong. Your greatness has grown and reaches to heaven, and your dominion to the ends of the earth. ²³ And because the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field, and let him be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven periods of time pass over him,’ ²⁴ this is the interpretation, O king: It is a decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king, ²⁵ that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will. ²⁶ And as it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be confirmed for you from the time that you know that Heaven rules. ²⁷ Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.” (Dan 4:20-27, ESV)

Just Give It Time: No matter how many times I read Daniel, I always somehow think, “Maybe this time, Nebuchadnezzar will learn his lesson before all the suffering . . .” but of course, he doesn’t. The history is what it is, as the saying goes. One day Nebuchadnezzar is strolling his grounds and feeling quite satisfied with himself, and it is clear that he feels untouchable, as if he’s a self-made man. But then verses 30-33 change his plot:

“and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” ³¹ While the words were still in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, ³² and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” ³³ Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers, and his nails were like birds’ claws.” (Dan 4:30-33, ESV).

It just took some time, you see, to see that Nebuchadnezzar’s heart had not really changed yet. He discovered that God humbles the proud and delights to exalt the humble. The truly humble, not the posers. False humility is a satanic scheme and God hates it.

Encouragement/takeaway: All of Scripture is to be interpreted Christologically. So when we study Daniel, we see the Christian worldview in microcosm. We see exile due to human sin; we see persecution of the faithful remnant; we see judgment of individual sin and judgment of nations; we see the provision of God (Daniel and his friends were provided for and saved on multiple occasions–from death, persecution, lions, fire, etc.). But most of all we see the Lord of history, God the Son, who is with his people, who preserves them, who delivers them from the mouth of lions, who fulfills the prophetic word, who unites the biblical storyline by being the Word become flesh, who comes to take upon himself the sins of his people in order to redeem them as a ransomed bride fit for the king. He was/is the most humble servant and forever and always the thrice-holy King of kings.