Daniel 4:1–18

Introduction

Daniel 4:1–18: King Nebuchadnezzar has another dream that only Daniel can interpret. He describes a huge tree that reaches the sky. It is loaded with fruit and shelters many animals. An angel orders the tree to be cut down and speaks of a man who will live in the wild for seven years with the mind of an animal.

Today’s Key Verse: Daniel 4:3 GNT

[King Nebuchadnezzar said:] “How great are the wonders God shows us! How powerful are the miracles he performs! God is king forever; he will rule for all time.”

Read

¹ King Nebuchadnezzar sent the following message to the people of all nations, races, and languages in the world:“Greetings! ² Listen to my account of the wonders and miracles which the Supreme God has shown me.³ “How great are the wonders God shows us!⁴ “I was living comfortably in my palace, enjoying great prosperity. ⁵ But I had a frightening dream and saw terrifying visions while I was asleep. ⁶ I ordered all the royal advisers in Babylon to be brought to me so that they could tell me what the dream meant. ⁷ Then all the fortunetellers, magicians, wizards, and astrologers were brought in, and I told them my dream, but they could not explain it to me. ⁸ Then Daniel came in. (He is also called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god.) The spirit of the holy gods is in him, so I told him what I had dreamed. I said to him: ⁹ Belteshazzar, chief of the fortunetellers, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that you understand all mysteries. This is my dream. Tell me what it means.¹⁰ “While I was asleep, I had a vision of a huge tree in the middle of the earth. ¹¹ It grew bigger and bigger until it reached the sky and could be seen by everyone in the world. ¹² Its leaves were beautiful, and it was loaded down with fruit—enough for the whole world to eat. Wild animals rested in its shade, birds built nests in its branches, and every kind of living being ate its fruit.¹³ “While I was thinking about the vision, I saw coming down from heaven an angel, alert and watchful. ¹⁴ He proclaimed in a loud voice, ‘Cut the tree down and chop off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Drive the animals from under it and the birds out of its branches. ¹⁵ But leave the stump in the ground with a band of iron and bronze around it. Leave it there in the field with the grass.“‘Now let the dew fall on this man, and let him live with the animals and the plants. ¹⁶ For seven years he will not have a human mind, but the mind of an animal. ¹⁷ This is the decision of the alert and watchful angels. So then, let all people everywhere know that the Supreme God has power over human kingdoms and that he can give them to anyone he chooses—even to those who are least important.’¹⁸ “This is the dream I had,” said King Nebuchadnezzar. “Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means. None of my royal advisers could tell me, but you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”

Reflect

Nebuchadnezzar narrates his dream in a message to the people of the world, in which he praises God (verse 3). How might this help us understand what follows? Why does Nebuchadnezzar think Daniel can help him (verses 9, 18)? Reread verse 17. What reason does the angel give for the man’s fate? Can you think of a sudden change of fortune you have experienced or heard of? What does this teach us about relating to earthly things, or to God?

Pray

Lord Jesus, you give and take the blessings of this life; they pass away and cannot give us rest. Make us humble and obedient under your loving rule, you who are the one true King. Help us cling to you in every circumstance and give praise to your surpassing majesty. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Daniel 4:19–33: Daniel explains Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream.