Dr. Joseph Speciale, Instructor A ministry of the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Lee Swor, Pastor
While this prophecy may have a yet future and complete fulfillment (Isa 19:2-4; Eze 30:3-4,8; Dan 11:42-43), there was at least a partial fulfillment with Nebuchadnezzar that is missing from secular history Following his conquest of Egypt, an aging Nebuchadnezzar retired to his palace in Babylon and reflected on his notable accomplishments that restored greatness and glory to Babylon Around 570 BC, Nebuchadnezzar had another divine dream that troubled him and made him afraid (Dan 4:4-5) Even though he believed the spirit of the holy gods was in Daniel, and he had the experience of his first dream (Dan 2), he still called for the wise men of Babylon to interpret his dream rather than Daniel, but they couldn t (Dan 4:6-7,9)- maybe he just wanted them to tell him what he wanted to hear rather than wanting to hear the truth AT THE LAST (i.e.- as a last resort), he summoned Daniel to tell him the interpretation after he recited what he had seen in his dream (Dan 4:8-9) In the dream, he saw a tall and strong tree in the midst of the earth whose height reached unto heaven and could be seen to the end of all the earth (Dan 4:10-11) Its leaves were fair and it bore much fruit for all flesh to feed from it, and all the beasts and fowls took shadow under it (Dan 4:12)
A watcher angel descended and declared that the tree be cut down to the stump and roots, stripped of its branches, leaves, and fruit, and the beasts and fowls scattered from underneath it (Dan 4:14-15) The angel further declared that HIS (i.e.- Nebuchadnezzar s) heart be changed from a man s heart to a beast s heart and that 7 times (i.e.- 7 years) should pass over him to the intent he might know that the most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomsoever he wills (Dan 4:16-17) Nebuchadnezzar reiterates his request for Daniel to make the interpretation known and confesses that he is able to do so (Dan 4:18) Daniel gives Nebuchadnezzar the interpretation (Dan 4:19-26) The tree represented Nebuchadnezzar and the extent of his greatness, strength, and dominion throughout the earth (Dan 4:19-22) The cutting down and stripping of the tree represented Nebuchadnezzar being driven from power and from among men, and made to live like an animal for 7 years (Dan 4:23-25) The remaining stump and roots represented the kingdom being preserved for Nebuchadnezzar s restoration to power but only after he repented (Dan 4:25-26) After giving the interpretation of the dream, Daniel implored the king to repent (Dan 4:27) but, unlike the interpretation of the first dream (Dan 2:47), Nebuchadnezzar had no praise for the Lord this time
In spite of everything he had seen and heard regarding the Lord to this point including, the miraculous telling and interpretation of his dream in Daniel 2, and seeing the pre-incarnate Christ deliver his servants from the burning fiery furnace in Daniel 3, Nebuchadnezzar refused to repent 12 months after the dream, he spoke the prideful words that triggered his divine deposition and beastly humiliation of seven years Dan 4:29-33 29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. 30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? 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. 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. 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. Secular history is completely silent about any period of time where Nebuchadnezzar was deposed from power or missing; and the reason is because of what followed
Nebuchadnezzar had the heart of a beast (Dan 4:16) but the trial and humiliation of these seven years, along with cumulative testimonies and prayers of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, caused him to have a change of heart (Dan 7:4) (i.e.- he REPENTED) As the divine dream foretold, Nebuchadnezzar was restored once he repented This is the third and final step to Nebuchadnezzar s conversion- his testimony in the aftermath of his humiliation, repentance, and restoration is as clear a testimony of salvation as can be found for a Gentile in the OT Dan 4:34-37 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: 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? 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 counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. 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.
The reason why secular history does not give witness to the dream of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2, the deliverance of the three Hebrew children in Daniel 3, or the deposition of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4 is because it all led to his salvation, and the world can t record that the most powerful monarch in history got saved and subjected himself to the one true and living God The Lord could have given up on this pagan king after all he had done to the Jews and after all the light of truth he was given, but he didn t The Lord knew exactly what it would take for Nebuchadnezzar to finally humble himself, repent, and believe and he brought those circumstances to pass because he is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet 3:9) The conversion of Nebuchadnezzar is a beautiful example of God s love and grace for the worst of sinners
Nebuchadnezzar ruled the Babylonian empire for 45 years (i.e. 606 BC- 562 BC) This is based on Jehoiachin king of Judah being taken into captivity during the eighth year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar and Evil-Merodach (i.e.- the son and successor of Nebuchadnezzar) beginning to reign in the 37th year of Jehoiachin s captivity 2 Kin 24:12 And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign. Jer 52:31 And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, in the five and twentieth day of the month, that Evil-merodach king of Babylon in the first year of his reign lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and brought him forth out of prison, Note: Donald Trump is the 45th president of the USA and has many things in common with Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar was succeeded by his son Evil-Merodach (i.e.- Amel-Marduk) (2 Kin 25:27) who ruled for just 3 years (i.e.- 562 BC- 560 BC) In his Antiquities Of The Jews (Book 10, Chapter 11, Verse 2), Josephus states that Evil-Merodach reigned 18 years, but it is possible that 15 of those years were as crown prince under his father Nebuchadnezzar Evil-Merodach released king Jehoiachin from prison, set his throne above the other kings at Babylon, and allowed him to eat at the king s table (Jer 52:31-34)
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