The Bible Meets Life

Transcription

1 The Point Pride leads to downfall, but God honors humility. The Passage Daniel 4:28-35 The Bible Meets Life I like to watch people who are good at what they do. Whether it s a gifted singer on stage, a master craftsman with a piece of wood, an artist with a canvas, or a writer unfolding a story, they apply their talents with self-confidence. Unfortunately, we ve also seen people whose self-confidence slowly morphed into pride. In the middle of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln wrote: We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. 1 President Lincoln called for a day of fasting and prayer so that a proper perspective could be regained. Today s study looks at another national leader who came to a place of humiliation. Babylon s King Nebuchadnezzar was a man very full of himself, but God taught him a costly (yet valuable) lesson in what it means to live humbly before Him. The Setting King Nebuchadnezzar had another dream. He again called for the usual interpreters, who once again were unable to help him. As in session 2, the dream would have gone without interpretation had it not been for God s enlightening Daniel as to the meaning. The dream was a warning to King Nebuchadnezzar that God would bring judgment on the king for his sins and pridefulness. King Nebuchadnezzar seems to have heeded the warning for about a year. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 115

2 What does the Bible say? Daniel 4:28-35 (HCSB) Babylon (v. 30) The city of Babylon was the capitol of the region of Babylonia. It was located on the Euphrates River about 50 miles south of modern Baghdad. The city dates at least to the period of the Old Testament patriarchs and reached its zenith under Nebuchadnezzar. 28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Army of heaven (v. 35) This term can refer to the heavenly bodies (sun, moon, and stars) or to the angelic forces in heaven. on grass like cattle for seven periods of time, until you acknowledge that the Most High is ruler over the kingdom of men, and He gives it to anyone He wants. 29 At the end of 12 months, as he was walking on the roof of the royal palace in Babylon, 30 the king exclaimed, Is this not Babylon the Great that I have built by my vast power to be a royal residence and to display my majestic glory? 31 While the words were still in the king s mouth, a voice came from heaven: King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared that the kingdom has departed from you. 32 You will be driven away from people to live with the wild animals, and you will feed 33 At that moment the sentence against Nebuchadnezzar was executed. He was driven away from people. He ate grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with dew from the sky, until his hair grew like eagles feathers and his nails like birds claws. 34 But at the end of those days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity returned to me. Then I praised the Most High and honored and glorified Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. 35 All the inhabitants of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does what He wants with the army of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. There is no one who can hold back His hand or say to Him, What have You done? 116 S e ss i o n 4

3 THE POINT Pride leads to downfall, but God honors humility. GET INTO THE STUDY 10 minutes DISCUSS: Invite your group members to Notes turn their attention to the image on page 91 of the Personal Study Guide (PSG). Ask: What comes to mind when you hear the word humble? ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): Bring several TIP: Running short on time? Skip to Live It Out. Always allow time for application. pairs of novelty or joke eye glasses that are difficult to see through clearly. Invite group members to read or describe something while wearing the glasses. Point out that pride, like these glasses, prevents us from seeing clearly and having a proper perspective of God and ourselves. RECAP THE PSG (PAGE 92): In the middle of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln wrote: We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. 1 President Lincoln called for a day of fasting and prayer so that a proper perspective could be regained. SAY: Today s study looks at another national leader who came to a place of humiliation. Babylon s King Nebuchadnezzar was a man very full of himself, but God taught him a costly (yet valuable) lesson in what it means to live humbly before Him. GUIDE: Call the group s attention to The Point on page 92 of the PSG: Pride leads to downfall, but God honors humility. Explain that this key idea will drive your discussion. PRAY: Transition into the Bible study with prayer. Ask God for His wisdom as you and your group members face daily opportunities to set aside prideful behavior in exchange for humility. Cut apart Pack Item #11 and have it ready to distribute to your group. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

4 10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Daniel 4:28-30 Notes 28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of 12 months, as he was walking on the roof of the royal palace in Babylon, 30 the king exclaimed, Is this not Babylon the Great that I have built by my vast power to be a royal residence and to display my majestic glory? READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Daniel 4: SUMMARIZE: King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream. Just as he had done in chapter 2, Nebuchadnezzar called in his wise men, mediums, Chaldeans, and astrologers to interpret the dream, but they were clueless. Daniel was able to interpret the dream. In his dream the king saw a large, beautiful tree being cut down, leaving only the stump and roots. The vision was a warning from God to Nebuchadnezzar: he was heading down the wrong road. As king, Nebuchadnezzar was prideful and without mercy. The king (like the tree) was about to be brought down. Daniel pleaded with Nebuchadnezzar to repent and to show mercy to the needy (v. 27). And perhaps Nebuchadnezzar did so for a while. Or perhaps God gave the king an additional year as an act of mercy, giving him time to repent. Nevertheless, at the end of 12 months Nebuchadnezzar gave in to his pride. As Nebuchadnezzar looked at the great city of Babylon, all he saw was his own power and glory. Granted, Babylon was a large and magnificent city. ALTERNATE QUESTION: What s dangerous about boasting in our own accomplishments? DISCUSS: Question 2 on page 94 of the PSG: How would you describe the difference between being proud and being prideful? TRANSITION: In spite of Daniel s warning, Nebuchadnezzar still had not learned humility. But he was about to. 118 SeSSion 4

5 THE POINT Pride leads to downfall, but God honors humility. Daniel 4:28-30 Commentary Pride is a sin that places self over others. Daniel 4 is unique in Scripture because it is predominately an autobiographical declaration from a Babylonian king. After vanquishing all rivals and building Babylon into one of the largest cities in ancient civilization, Nebuchadnezzar was experiencing a time of peace and prosperity. Life was good in his palace. God had a way, however, of interrupting the king s slumber by sending him alarming dreams. Approximately thirty years earlier, God had troubled Nebuchadnezzar with a dream that only Daniel could explain (2:1-45). Now once again, God shook Nebuchadnezzar with a stunning dream full of visions that perplexed him (4:10-17). Four key aspects of the dream stood out: (1) the enormous size of the tree that provided food and shelter for all; (2) the terrifying words from the heavenly messenger to cut it down; (3) the transformation of a man s mind into that of a beast; and (4) the declaration from the heavenly messenger that only God is sovereign over the kingdoms of the earth. God used Daniel to interpret the king s dream (vv ). Daniel, however, was noticeably stunned by what he knew the dream predicted. Delivering bad news to a monarch was not an enviable task. Daniel was well acquainted with the violent temper of Nebuchadnezzar. Nevertheless, he faithfully declared a holy message and left the results to God. He spoke firm truth into the heart of a proud king. The king had built a mighty empire but failed to build a virtuous life. He had neglected mercy and had perpetrated injustice. Daniel urged King Nebuchadnezzar to repent of his sin and turn to God. Verses 28-29: Nebuchadnezzar decided to do things according to his own agenda. A full year had passed since Daniel interpreted the dream. God withheld holy retribution for this time. One day, however, Nebuchadnezzar gazed at the city of Babylon as he was walking on the roof of the royal palace. Under his leadership, Babylon had indeed become one of the greatest, if not the greatest city, of that era. The city boasted a system of reservoirs channeling the Euphrates River throughout, a 400- feet long bridge connected the east and west sections of the city, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and magnificent streets. Additionally, the king had erected two sets of double walls for security, displaying a stroke of engineering brilliance. Verse 30: Nebuchadnezzar reveled in the grandeur of his capital as he claimed credit for the magnificent city. Using the first person singular personal pronouns (I, my) three times in this single statement, he boasted that he built the natural beauty of the gardens, along with Babylon s impressive structures. The king asserted that the vast power he commanded was of his own making rather than of God. Having conquered much of the known world, Nebuchadnezzar could not imagine a force greater than his own. The capital did not serve the people, but was his royal residence. Nebuchadnezzar vainly imagined that the wonders of the city magnified his majestic glory. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 119

6 10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Daniel 4:31-33 Notes 31 While the words were still in the king s mouth, a voice came from heaven: King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared that the kingdom has departed from you. 32 You will be driven away from people to live with the wild animals, and you will feed on grass like cattle for seven periods of time, until you acknowledge that the Most High is ruler over the kingdom of men, and He gives it to anyone He wants. 33 At that moment the sentence against Nebuchadnezzar was executed. He was driven away from people. He ate grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with dew from the sky, until his hair grew like eagles feathers and his nails like birds claws. READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Daniel 4: ALTERNATE QUESTION: When have you been humbled by something or someone else? RECAP THE PSG (PAGE 95): While King Nebuchadnezzar s prideful words were still in his mouth, God executed judgment on him. Nebuchadnezzar instantly was driven from his people, he became like a wild animal, and he lived with the animals for seven years. In all likelihood, Nebuchadnezzar suffered some sort of mental breakdown in which he thought he was a wild animal. DISCUSS: Question 3 on page 95 of the PSG: Where do you see pride s destructive power at work in today s culture? SUMMARIZE: A prideful attitude runs contrary to the will and wisdom of God. It keeps us from experiencing life to the fullest under the love and grace of God. DO: Instruct group members to complete the activity on page 96 of the PSG on their own. Pride Vs. Humility: Are you proud or humble? Evaluate your level of pride in different areas of life. How often do you model humility for the members of your family? How often would your coworkers label you as proud? How often do you display pride in your possessions? TRANSITION: Until Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged God s authority and power over all things, he would remain as he was. 120 SeSSion 4

7 THE POINT Pride leads to downfall, but God honors humility. Daniel 4:31-33 Commentary Humble yourself or God will humble you. Verse 31: While Nebuchadnezzar was congratulating himself on his accomplishments, a voice came from heaven that interrupted his fascination with himself. In an instant Nebuchadnezzar s enchanted evening felt the full force of God s invasion. God is patient with sinful humanity, but His patience does not condone perpetual disobedience. God is longsuffering, but He sets the measure of His own forbearance. The voice from heaven announced that Nebuchadnezzar s kingdom would be taken from him. God s judgment materialized 12 months after Daniel s warning (v. 29). God always gives people time to repent. Verse 32: God s judgment on Nebuchadnezzar reveals the effect of pride s poison. First, the king would be driven away from people. Pride in the heart desires applause from the hands of others. Eventually, however, it breeds to divide people and leads to isolation, separation, and loneliness. Second, the king would become irrational and begin to live like a beast. He would live with the wild animals and eat grass like cattle. Verse 34 suggests the king temporarily lost his sanity. The expression seven periods of time refers to seven years. So who ran the empire during that time? How did the palace officials keep the news about the king s demented condition from spreading? Daniel likely played a crucial role administering the affairs of government. Perhaps royal authorities did their best to keep the king away from public scrutiny. Given the changes in his physical appearance it is possible that the common citizen would not have recognized him even if he did spend months in the wilderness and wander into public view occasionally. All this would continue until Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged the true God and humbled himself before Him. Six times in this chapter God is referred to as the Most High (vv. 2,17,24,25,32,34). The first time the term Most High God occurs in Scripture is found in Genesis when Abraham meets Melchizedek, a priest of God Most High (Genesis 14:18). In Isaiah, Lucifer is recorded as desiring to replace God and make himself like the Most High (Isaiah 14:13-14). The name Most High refers to God s sovereign rule in heaven and on earth. Nebuchadnezzar s beast-like behavior was a picture of life saturated with self at the expense of failing to acknowledge the Most High God. Verse 33: At that moment refers to the very moment the king made his prideful declaration in verse 30 (see also v. 31). The sentence was executed exactly as the voice from heaven had said in verse 32 (see also v. 25). Instead of enjoying the comfort of his palace, Nebuchadnezzar s body was drenched with dew from the sky from sleeping outdoors. Without proper hygiene and grooming, Nebuchadnezzar s hair became matted and coarse enough to resemble eagles feathers. His fingernails and toenails curled under in grotesque fashion that resembled birds claws. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 121

8 10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Daniel 4:34-35 Notes 34 But at the end of those days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity returned to me. Then I praised the Most High and honored and glorified Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. 35 All the inhabitants of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does what He wants with the army of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. There is no one who can hold back His hand or say to Him, What have You done? READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Daniel 4: ALTERNATE QUESTION: What can we learn from comparing verse 30 with verse 34? DISCUSS: Question 4 on page 96 of the PSG: What is your initial reaction to verses 34-35? RECAP THE PSG (PAGE 97): What brought Nebuchadnezzar back to sanity and reality? I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity returned to me. Looking up to heaven was an act of submission to the One who rules heaven and earth. And God responded with an act of grace: He restored Nebuchadnezzar s sanity. Nebuchadnezzar came back to reality a different person. He no longer praised himself. He no longer claimed the glory; instead he gave the glory to God. I praised the Most High and honored and glorified Him who lives forever. Instead of a man who was self-exalting, self-proclaiming, self-reliant, selfish, and selfcontained, we now see a man completely humbled. Instead of an enraged king asking Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Who is the god who can rescue you from my power? (Daniel 3:15) we see a contrite king readily acknowledging the power of God. DISCUSS: Question 5 on page 97 of the PSG: What are some practical ways we can submit to God? TRANSITION: Nebuchadnezzar surrendered his pride to the One who is far greater and he gave us an example to learn from. When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom (Proverbs 11:2). 122 SeSSion 4

9 THE POINT Pride leads to downfall, but God honors humility. Daniel 4:34-35 Commentary God restores us as we humble ourselves before Him. Verse 34: At the end of those days refers to the seven years of the king s sentence (v. 32). Nebuchadnezzar looked up to heaven an act of humility and submission to God and gave up his pride and self-effort. Seven years was a long time to incur the penalty of sinful pride. But God had not forgotten Nebuchadnezzar. The Lord observed Nebuchadnezzar s simple gesture of humility and repentance and graciously restored the king s sanity. The Aramaic word translated sanity refers to knowing something acutely. In accordance with Daniel s earlier interpretation of the king s dream, the king suffered the consequences of his vanity until he acknowledged God s supreme authority (see v. 25). Many people thank God when they experience material blessings. However, Nebuchadnezzar was living with the wild animals and feeding on grass when he praised the Lord. In his pride, Nebuchadnezzar had lifted himself up. In his humiliation, the king knelt before the Most High and blessed Him. He honored the Lord for who He is, not for something He had done. Nebuchadnezzar, who up to now never gave evidence of adoring anyone but himself, finally understood something about God that evoked adulation. Previously, Nebuchadnezzar had referred to God as Daniel s God (2:47) and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego s God (3:28-29). Now, the king personally praised God. In contrast to his previous proud claim of majestic glory (4:30), Nebuchadnezzar now recognized that all glory belongs to God. The first focus of Nebuchadnezzar s praise was God s eternality, the second was His sovereignty. Comprehending his own mortality, he honored and glorified the Lord as the one who lives forever. Musing that he was left without empire and without legacy, Nebuchadnezzar honored the One whose kingdom is from generation to generation. Empires and nations of global acclaim rise and last for a brief blink in time, but God s kingdom abides forever. Verse 35: Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged the Lord s sovereignty over all people and empires. Before God, all the inhabitants of the earth are counted as nothing. Human beings have no authority to challenge God and demand for Him to give an account to them of what He has done. God s reign even extends beyond earth to heaven. The statement, He does what He wants with the army of heaven, extols God s supreme strength to govern the universe. Army of heaven parallels inhabitants of the earth, emphasizing God s dominion over all those in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, God s sovereignty and knowledge are such that there is no one who could hold back His hand or say to Him, What have You done? No earthly genius, however brilliant, can challenge the knowledge and wisdom of God. The grand summation of the king reflects a profound transformation of his life. He confessed emphatically that God deserved all the praise and glory because He alone was true and just (v. 37). BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 123

10 5 minutes LIVE IT OUT SAY: What will you do to live humbly before God? Notes GUIDE: Lead your group members to consider the responses to the Bible study listed on page 98 of the PSG. Embrace humility. Spend time this week asking God where submission is needed in your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of pride that need to be addressed so that you can approach God with a proper attitude. Memorize Proverbs 11:2. Commit this verse to memory as a reminder of the dangers that can result from pride as well as the blessings of humility. Display humility. We live in a toot your own horn culture. Pay attention this week to how often you re tempted to talk about your own accomplishments or abilities. Instead, make it your goal to listen and learn more from the person you re talking with. ENHANCEMENT: Distribute Pack Item #11, Proverbs 11:2 Memory Verse cards, and encourage your group members to commit this verse to memory. Wrap It Up SAY: You don t have to be a national leader to be susceptible to excessive pride. Recognize God and His authority, and then be ready to rest in the plans He has for you. 124 S e ss i o n 4