It wasn’t just a testimony shared with a family member or a neighbor. It was a testimony that was written and sent to all nations and peoples of every language. Maybe it is because I am teaching a course on evangelism and missions. Maybe it is because I am reminding students to tell their story.
Every good story has good guys and bad guys, a problem or struggle, an “ah ha” moment, and a resolution. As I read Daniel 4, my mind exploded as I realized Nebuchadnezzar shared a great testimony!
1. King Neb shared his struggle. He had a dream he didn’t understand.
2. King Neb shared his issue. Pride.
3. Daniel shared the solution. Acknowledge the Most High God, acknowledge heaven rules, repent, do righteousness, and do justice.
4. King Neb did not! He continued on his journey. Hearing and seeing again God's work but ignoring Him.
5. King Neb shared the moment of his fall and how bad it got. He became like an ox eat the grass of the field. His hair grew long, and his nails were like claws.
6. King Neb shared his restoration came when he acknowledged the Most High God and His eternal rule.
He then told everyone all about his journey of humbling to praise the Most High GOD!
It is such a great story. You should go and read it now! Can you imagine all of the nation’s leaders receiving this letter from King Nebuchadnezzar? What a shock!
King Nebuchadnezzar was known for being impetuous, violent, and irrational. He was the ruler of the biggest ruling nation, and he could make you bow to a statue simply because he had music played. Even though God had been reaching out to get his attention, he wasn’t listening to God. In his mind, he was a god, and all should bow to him. He wasn’t willing to listen even when Jesus showed up in the fiery furnace that had killed the men throwing Daniel’s three friends in. But, GOD had a plan! God was after this bad guy!
At this point Daniel is the leader of the wise men in Babylon, so when the king had a dream that his magicians and sorcerers could not interpret, Daniel was brought in as the pitch hitter for the team. The king’s last resort or the wisdom team’s hail Mary.
The king had a dream. Since Daniel had already proven that he could tell the king what his dream meant because God spoke to him. The king said, “I know the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too hard for you.” King Nebuchadnezzar gave attribute to his lowly gods as if they were the reason Daniel was able to interpret the dreams.
Once God revealed to Daniel the dream’s meaning, he was terrified. In humility, Daniel wished aloud that the dream was about one of the king’s enemies instead. The king cried out, “Just tell me!” Daniel was a truth teller because the One he served was Truth.
“You are the tree!”
In the dream, the big, glorious tree was huge, full of strength, prominence, width, depth, height, fruit, fullness, shade, shelter, and beauty. There was nothing like it providing for the beasts of the earth and the birds of the air. “You are the tree. Great and strong. The messenger is of God. You will be cut down. You will be driven away from your people. You will live with the animals. Eat like an animal. The dew will cover you. Seven years will pass until you acknowledge the Most High is Ruler over all kingdoms. You will not be restored until you acknowledge that, Heaven Rules!”
Daniel then began to seek the king’s well-being hoping that a change of heart might change history about to unfold. He boldly stated, “Your majesty please accept my advice: renounce your sins, do righteousness, and seek justice by being kind to the oppressed.
The meaning was given, but it took an entire year before the dream was fulfilled. On the day that King Nebuchadnezzar asked, “Isn’t this the great Babylon that I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”
Instantly the Voice of heaven spoke, “This is what was decreed to you, King Nebuchadnezzar: your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven from your people. Eat like an animal. Eat grass like an ox for seven years until you acknowledge that the Most High is Ruler over all and gives them to anyone He wishes.”
King Nebuchadnezzar was driven from his people, and he ate with the animals as his body was drenched by the dew. His hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails were like the claws of a bird.
Once, seven years passed and his sanity was restored. King Nebuchadnezzar declared, “Once my sanity was restored and I praised the Most High God. My kingdom was restored to me. Now, I Nebuchadnezzar praise, exalt, and glorify the King of Heaven because everything He does is righteous and just. Those who walk in pride He is able to humble!”
