Daniel 4

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Humbling and Restoration of Nebuchadnezzar

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. God can and will humble the proud.

  2. God can and will restore the humble.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Have you moved from acknowledgment to acceptance?

QUESTIONS

  1. Describe what Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream.

  2. Review the good news, bad news, and further good news from Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.

  3. What advice did Daniel give Nebuchadnezzar? Did he follow this advice?

  4. Is there a medical condition that describes Nebuchadnezzar’s actions (verse 33)?

  5. Did Nebuchadnezzar live as an animal to the end of his life?

ANSWERS

  1. A great tree grew strong over all the earth. Then the tree was cut down to a stump and bound.

  2. Nebuchadnezzar was a great king, like a beautiful and fruitful tree giving food and shade to all. But Nebuchadnezzar would be humbled and cut down as the great tree was cut down. As the stump of the tree remained with a protective band of iron and bronze, so Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom would be restored.

  3. Daniel advised the king to humble himself, turn away from his sins, and show mercy to the poor. But Nebuchadnezzar did not listen, and instead he boasted in his pride (verse 30).

  4. Yes, it is called “boanthropy” when a person imagines himself to be an animal and therefore acts like an animal.

  5. No, after seven years Nebuchadnezzar’s sanity was restored and he continued as king of the Babylonian Empire. Verse 37 implies that Nebuchadnezzar was brought to a saving knowledge of God, because he praised and worshipped the Lord.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Read 1 Peter 5:5-6. Are you walking about in pride like Nebuchadnezzar because of some accomplishment in your life? How can you humble yourself before you are humbled by God?

  2. Discuss the seeming contradiction that if we humble ourselves, God will exalt us. Can you give a personal example of this principle?

CHALLENGE

  1. Nebuchadnezzar moved from acknowledging the most high God of the Hebrews, to accepting him as his own God. What about you? You may acknowledge God, but have you accepted Him by personally receiving Jesus Christ as your only Savior from the penalty of sins?

KEY VERSES

  • “The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong…it is you, O king.” Daniel 4:20,22

  • “The king spoke, saying, ‘Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?’” Daniel 4:30

  • “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you!” Daniel 4:31

Daniel, Old Testament, TalksDeb HarmsDaniel 4