Self-Referential Relationships with God

Daniel series #4

Daniel 4:1-9

King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages that live throughout the earth: May you have abundant prosperity! 2 The signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me, I am pleased to recount. 3 How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his sovereignty is from generation to generation. 4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was living at ease in my home and prospering in my palace. 5 I saw a dream that frightened me; my fantasies in bed and the visions of my head terrified me. 6 So I made a decree that all the wise men of Babylon should be brought before me, in order that they might tell me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the diviners came in, and I told them the dream, but they could not tell me its interpretation. 8 At last Daniel came in before me—he who was named Belteshazzar after the name of my god and who is endowed with a spirit of the holy gods—and I told him the dream: 9 “O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that you are endowed with a spirit of the holy gods and that no mystery is too difficult for you. Hear the dream that I saw, and tell me its interpretation.

Introduction: Nebuchadnezzar’s Proclamation

In the narrative of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, we observe a profound declaration that resonates through the ages. This chapter, likely structured as a letter, serves not only as a formal communication to all peoples and nations but also as a personal testimony of the king’s transformative experience with the divine.

The king begins by proclaiming the greatness of God’s signs and wonders, emphasizing their significance and the awe they inspire. His testimony, however, is notably self-referential. He reflects on a time when he was living in ease, suggesting a state of comfort and complacency prior to his encounter with God. It was during this period that he had a profound dream that would ultimately lead him to make a decree, illustrating the sovereignty of God in orchestrating events even in the life of a king.

The King’s Troubling Dream

Nebuchadnezzar has a disturbing dream that alarms him. A powerful and beautiful tree stands at the center of the earth, providing shelter and food for all creatures. “There was a tree at the center of the earth, and its height was great. 11 The tree grew great and strong, its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the ends of the whole earth. 12 Its foliage was beautiful, its fruit abundant, and it provided food for all. The animals of the field found shade under it, the birds of the air nested in its branches, and from it all living beings were fed.” (vv. 1-12) Then a divine messenger descends from heaven and orders the tree to be cut down, leaving only its stump and roots.

The king calls Daniel (Belteshazzar) to interpret the dream because he had already asked all the wise men of Babylon to interpret it, but none could provide the answer. So, Daniel is brought before the king because of his known wisdom and spirit. Notice that Nebuchadnezzar ad praises Daniel’s God for all he had done, but still, he calls on Daniel as a last resort to have his dream understood.

Like most kings throughout history, Nebuchadnezzar has a high opinion of himself. He probably has those who stand in his court telling him what he wants to hear; traditionally, we refer to them as “Yes men.” This feeds into the king's ego; they become self-righteous and begin to believe in their worth as the ultimate provider for their people. This is the king’s ultimate sin. He admits that God has blessed him, but he falls short of giving God credit for his success, even though those like Daniel have told him repeatedly that God has made it so.

The Dream’s Content

As Daniel is brought before the king, the king recounts his dream to Daniel: a massive and strong tree is visible to the ends of the earth, providing shelter and food to all creatures. Then, a “holy watcher” (v.13) descends from heaven, commanding that the tree be cut down and stripped, but the stump and roots are to be left bound with iron and bronze in the grass of the field. He says, “Cut down the tree and chop off its branches; strip off its foliage and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from beneath it and the birds from its branches. 15 But leave its stump and roots in the ground, with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field. Let him be bathed with the dew of heaven and let his lot be with the animals in the grass of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from that of a human and let the mind of an animal be given to him. And let seven times pass over him. 17 The sentence is rendered by decree of the watchers, the decision is given by order of the holy ones, in order that all who live may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdom of mortals; he gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of human beings.” (vv.14-17)

Daniel Interprets the Dream

Daniel is appalled and troubled by the meaning, but the king encourages him to speak. Daniel says, “My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you and its interpretation for your enemies!” He explains that the tree represents Nebuchadnezzar himself, whose greatness and dominion reach far and wide. The cutting down of the tree signifies that Nebuchadnezzar will be driven from society, live among animals, and eat grass like an ox for seven periods of time. The stump bound in iron and bronze means his kingdom will be preserved for him until he acknowledges that it is God in heaven who rules.

Daniel urges the king to repent, practice righteousness, and show mercy to the oppressed, in hopes that the king’s prosperity may be prolonged.

The Fulfillment of the Dream

Twelve months later, as Nebuchadnezzar boasts about his achievements in Babylon, a voice from heaven declares the fulfillment of the dream. Nebuchadnezzar is driven from among people, lives as an animal, and his sanity is taken from him for seven years.

The King’s Restoration and Praise

After the appointed time, Nebuchadnezzar’s reason returns, and he praises and honors the Most High God. He is restored to his throne, his counselors and nobles seek him out, and his splendor is even greater than before. Nebuchadnezzar concludes by exalting and glorifying the King of heaven, acknowledging that all God’s works are right and His ways just, and that God is able to humble the proud.

The problem with a self-referential relationship with God

The hardest thing for non-Christians to understand is the Christians’ relationship with God. A personal relationship is not one-sided. At least if it is, it will not be for long. Children who are best friends never last if one friend constantly takes the toys and never shares. Our relationship with God is similar in this way. If we do not give something in return, God will remind us that relationships are reciprocal.

Noted Bible scholar Bill Creasey points to Job as an example. What was Job’s sin? (Hint: It was not his lack of patience.) Job was the most righteous man. God’s favorite. But his relationship with God was based on his meticulous adherence to the Law. Look at Job chapters 29-31 (Creasy, 2011). Job lays out a defense. And the words I, me, and My more than 150 times, explaining all he had done to comply with God’s Law, to be righteous. And he uses the word You or Your, referring to God, only to say how God has turned against him; “I cry to you, and you do not answer me; I stand, and you merely look at me. 21 You have turned cruel to me; with the might of your hand, you persecute me. 22 You lift me up on the wind, you make me ride on it, and you toss me about in the roar of the storm. 23 I know that you will bring me to death, to the house appointed for all living.” (Job 30:20-23)

In a genuine relationship with God, we thank God for the good and the bad. God gives and God takes away. It is only when God rebukes Job at the end of the book that Job comes to understand that only God knows everything. Only God was there when the earth was formed. We, like Job, are but mortals, and we must praise God for the good and the bad. King Nebuchadnezzar was in a similar relationship with God. He understood that God (YHWH) was Daniel’s God, and he would accept what God gave him; however, ultimately, he believed that he was responsible for his own success.

God’s sovereignty is total. His reign is complete and everlasting. No matter who is in charge, it is ultimately at God’s whim that a king, dictator, or government is in place. Let’s go back to 2 Kings chapter 19 and see another example. King Hezekiah is given a letter from the King of Assyria detailing all the lands that he had conquered. How could Hezekiah dare oppose Assyria? Hezekiah, overcome with grief, heads straight to the temple and lays out the letter before God and says, “Okay, God, you take care of it.” Then Isaiah, speaking for God, says, “This is the word that the Lord has spoken concerning him: She despises you; she scorns you— virgin daughter Zion; she tosses her head—behind your back, daughter Jerusalem. 22 Whom have you mocked and reviled? Against whom have you raised your voice and haughtily lifted your eyes? Against the Holy One of Israel! 23 By your messengers you have mocked the Lord, and you have said, ‘With my many chariots I have gone up the heights of the mountains, to the far recesses of Lebanon; I felled its tallest cedars, its choicest cypresses; I entered its farthest retreat, its densest forest. 24 I dug wells and drank foreign waters, I dried up with the sole of my foot all the streams of Egypt.’ 25 Have you not heard that I determined it long ago? I planned from days of old what now I bring to pass, that you should make fortified cities crash into heaps of ruins, 26 while their inhabitants, shorn of strength, are dismayed and confounded; they have become like plants of the field and like tender grass, like grass on the housetops that is scorched before the east wind. 27 But I know your sitting and your going out and your coming in and your raging against me. 28 Because you have raged against me and your arrogance has come to my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth; I will turn you back on the way by which you came.” (2 Kings 19:21-28)

Hezekiah had claimed God’s victories as his own, God’s work as his own, God’s glory for his own. God then shows him his true power by striking down one hundred and eighty-five thousand Assyrians camped outside the city.

God did the same thing to Nebuchadnezzar. God revealed his fate to him in a dream, showing him his fall from grace and his eventual restoration. Just as Daniel described, everything came to pass. Then we see Nebuchadnezzar write, “When that period was over, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me. I blessed the Most High and praised and honored the one who lives forever. For his sovereignty is an everlasting sovereignty, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation. 35 All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does what he wills with the host of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. There is no one who can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” 36 At that time my reason returned to me, and my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom. My counselors and my lords sought me out, I was reestablished over my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are truth, and his ways are justice; he is able to bring low those who walk in pride.” (vv. 34-37)

In conclusion, the narrative of King Nebuchadnezzar serves as a profound reminder of the dangers of pride and self-referential faith. As we reflect on the lessons woven throughout this passage, we recognize that our relationship with God must be reciprocal, grounded in humility and acknowledgment of His sovereignty. Just as Nebuchadnezzar ultimately learned to honor the Most High, we too must strive to relinquish our egos and acknowledge that all our achievements stem from God’s grace.

This calls us to a deeper commitment to seek God’s counsel in our lives, to practice righteousness, and to extend mercy to those around us. Let us not repeat the errors of the past, where pride blinds us (Creasy, 2011) to the truth of God’s provision. Instead, may we actively engage in cultivating a genuine relationship with our Creator, understanding that it is through surrender and gratitude that we find true fulfillment.

Therefore, I urge you, beloved community, to examine your hearts and motives. Embrace the lessons of Nebuchadnezzar, Job, and Hezekiah, and allow them to guide your walk with God. Let us together exalt and glorify the King of heaven, recognizing His unmatched authority and the grace bestowed upon us. Amen.

Bibliography

Daniel / auth. Creasy Dr. Bill. - [s.l.] : Logos Bible Study, 2011. - Second Edition. - Audible Lecture.

NRSVue // Holy Bible w/ With Deuterocanotical/Apocryphal Books of teh Old Testament. - Wahington D.C. : Zondervan, 2021. - Vol. Updated Edition. - National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

The Harper Collins Study Bible, New Revised Standard Version with the Apocryphal and Deuterocanonical Books // NRSV Bible / ed. Meeks Wayne A. [et al.]. - New York : Harper Collins Publishers, 1993.