Daniel Chapter 4-Nebuchadnezzar Humbled by God

Have you ever tried to help someone learn a life lesson or teach a biblical truth? How about talking to a teenager about consequences of their actions? Did you want to pull your hair out? They just didn’t get it. As with our children and grandchildren we have to teach them over and over until the “aha” moment when they finally get it.

After his first dream we see Nebuchadnezzar acknowledge the God of Daniel-"Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, …2:47 In chapter three after the rescue of the three Hebrew boys from the furnace, Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.”4:48 In addition the king rules that no one could speak against their God.

Think he’s got it? Notice he still refers to Our Lord as Daniel’s God. This week God gives him a warning in another dream which made the king fearful and alarmed.   God will use radical means to teach Nebuchadnezzar the He is sovereign. God alone rules the earth and God is accountable to no one. Revelation 22 tree of life.

Let me acknowledge from the beginning my teaching for tonight came through God’s directions and gentle urging. Everything I desired to elaborate on was covered remarkably well in your Commentary. Don’t forget to read it when you go home.

Daniel Lesson 6 Chapter 4 God Humbles Nebuchadnezzar

• ·        Pride before the fall
• ·        Patience of God
• ·        Merciful grace to Nebuchadnezzar

Those who walk in pride God is able to humble.

(Probably written 30 years after chapter3)Chapter four of Daniel is very distinctive in the entire bible for it was written by Nebuchadnezzar himself—a pagan king! It was an open letter to be distributed to all people, nations and languages. It is the king’s own witness of how God reached out to him. The first three verses of this chapter are a testimony of his unique discipline and the power of God.

In the thirty-fifth year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had brought under his rule Syria, Phoenicia, Judah, and Egypt. This second map denotes current country names.

¹King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you! ²It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me.³How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation.

v⁴ I, Nebuchadnezzar was content in my home and prospering in my palace.


How would we define contentment? “At ease” in some translations, pleased and satisfied, no worries. This was a time of peace and basking in all that he had accomplished to rebuild and adorn the city of Babylon. History confirms that Nebuchadnezzar built this Hanging Garden for his wife. (see commentary)


How about prospering? The dictionary defines it as successful in material terms; to be flourishing financially.

Another extravagance is this Ishtar Gate. It was the eighth gate into the city of Babylon made of cobalt glazed bricks. It was constructed around 575 B.C.E. by Nebuchadnezzar.  George Rawlinson, Historical Illustrations of the Old Testament, 1871 verifies 9/10 of the bricks in Babylon were stamped with his name.

This recovered section of wall was is 45 feet of the original foundation of the gate. The material excavated by Robert Koldewey between1902 to 1914. The Gate is now in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, Germany.

Those who walk in pride God is able to humble.

Speaking about Babylon  Jeremiah 50:31 “Behold, I am against you, O proud one, declares the Lord God of hosts, for your day has come, the time when I will punish you.

·        Psalm 10:4 ⁴ In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”

·        Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.

·        Proverbs 21:4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.

Beth Moore in her study Daniel does an excellent job of pointing out how pride can creep into our lives as Christians. If we are to be effective witnesses we must be aware of how others see us. “Pride is not a circumstance but a state of mind.”

How might pride be evidenced in a Christian? Beth Moore bought a new bible at the urging of her daughter. Our pride might be as innocent as a well marked Bible and unintentionally giving the impression to others of piety.

While answering your core questions, make sure you do not give the appearance of pride with your knowledge or memorization of scripture.

In God’s economy the way up is down. From heaven's perspective we never stand taller than when we bow down to lift up God.


Those who walk in pride God is able to humble.

Isaiah 2:11The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.

As your Teaching Director I enjoy searching for and sharing facts and information not included in your commentary. God already knows that my love of knowledge and my skill in technology could be sources of pride in my life.

One evening at our home church we waited for the guest speaker to queue his DVD. My prideful self thought they needed my help, but the Good Lord put me in my place. As I bent over to check the player, I fell backward and ended up on my rump in front of everyone.

·        
Patience of God is shown to Nebuchadnezzar.

The tree In the Nebuchadnezzar’s dream symbolizes his pride and self-exaltation. The removal of the tree shows God’s sovereignty in raising him up and bringing him down. Ezekiel 17:22-24 and other references to trees are found in Psalms, Jeremiah, and Jesus parables often used a tree as supporting life.

 You know if The LORD had revealed to me in a dream that I was the tree and he would “'Chop down the tree and lop off its branches, strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit¹⁵But leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze,”

I would be looking over my shoulder constantly.

If you have ever gotten a speedy ticket or warning, are you a little paranoid? After attending traffic school last year for going 45 in a 35 mph zone, I sure am. Noticing a patrolman in my rear view mirror Monday, my hands gripped the steering wheel. He travelled behind me for several miles. I could not be at ease until he turned off the road. Evidently King Nebuchadnezzar had forgotten the dream.

Those who walk in pride God is able to humble.

 Job tells Elihu 33:14 For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it.¹⁵In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds, ¹⁶ then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings, ¹⁷that he may turn man aside from his deed and conceal pride from a man;

This was the lesson God has tried to teach Nebuchadnezzar through the both dreams and the rescue of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah from the fiery furnace. Oh the extreme measures the Lord will use to bring us under submission!

Jonah 4:2 confesses I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. The Lord is patient and long-suffering.

Daniel advises in verse 27 “Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity."

Daniel’s advice was not taken but the LORD continued waiting for Nebuchadnezzar to give Him the honor and praise and glory.

 ²⁹At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon,³⁰and the king answered and said, "Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?"

How does God finally receive the praise and adoration he deserves from the greatest monarch that Babylon ever produced? By taking Nebuchadnezzar through the humiliation pictured in his dream.

31 While the words were still in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, "O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you,

³³ Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws.

Nebuchadnezzar’s malady is a historical fact, documented from other writing. It is well covered in your commentary. ““Ly-can-thropy” (from the Greek word (lukos, wolf), which causes a human being to think he is a four-footed animal. In his palace, he began to hop around like a four-footed animal, and according to the custom of the day, they drove him out from the palace into the open fields.” It seems likely that Daniel remained precept, and protected Nebuchadnezzar during his seven-year malady.

Those who walk in pride God is able to humble.

No matter how low you have ever felt about yourself I doubt you could ever be as low as poor Nebuchadnezzar in this state.

·       
Merciful grace to Nebuchadnezzar

We can believe God’s promises and trust his word.

Verse 26 And as it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the TREE, your kingdom shall be confirmed for you from the time that you know that Heaven rules.  Through these actions you can see God’s loving care for his people through the salvation of Nebuchadnezzar

Verses on HUMILITY

·        Psalm 113:7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap,

·        Luke 14:11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

·        1 Peter 5:5. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

·        1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

·        James 4:6 "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."

34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;

The best time for a public testimony tends to be after we’re thinking straight again.

Luke’s story of the prodigal son says he came to himself.

Nebuchadnezzar says36 “At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me.”

A bronze door-step to a temple was recovered, bearing an inscription to that it was presented by Nebuchadnezzar as a votive offering upon his recovery from a terrible illness. 

Nebuchadnezzar’s last recorded words in Scripture summarize chapter four: “And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”

Daniel 4:37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

 I can think of no better model of humility than our Lord Jesus himself.  

Philippians 2: ⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 

“If you truly understand that there is a God and that you are not Him, then you can begin to relinquish your own rights, hopes, desires, and wants and submit them to His will.  Bend your own will to submission to His work in your life.  Trust Him in all things. He is God and you are not.” Matt Slick

 “And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”

Humility is perfect quietness of heart. It is for me to have no trouble; never to be fretted or vexed or irritated or sore or disappointed. It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me and when I am blamed or despised.

Andrew Murray

Will you choose to walk humbly before the Lord?

  

http://christiananswers.net/dictionary/nebuchadnezzar.html

http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/people/g/nebuchadnezzar.htm

Daniel Chapter 3 Fiery Furnace

Welcome back, ladies there are so many teaching opportunities in this chapter of Daniel alone and all worth teaching. His spirit impressed on me the ones we might need tonight. Image makers; Tale Bearers; Faithful believers

Whenever you watch the television, check your email, visit the nail salon, or read magazines in a waiting room there's lots of advice about how to improve your image. Do you feel that as we age our doctors just assume that we need our bladders tacked and our eyebrows lifted? 

At my dermatologist, a large whiteboard lists their products -shots to tighten, fillers for wrinkles, medicine for growing eyelashes. I feel like my dermatologist office is divided into two sections; one side is for the beautiful people where getting lasered and injected. The other side is for those of us with skin conditions: skin cancer, moles, barnacles- (the not so lovely.)

In my earlier life that may have made me depressed. But CBS and the study of God’s Word has freed me from fear of man and the judgment of this world. In the Bible we are taught that our temporary bodies, our earthly tents are wasting away. We are waiting for our glorified bodies when Christ returns. 2 Corinthians 5:1-7

He has shaped and molded us to be people that He can use. “I am a daughter of the living God. My Father is Creator of the Universe.” Can you say that and mean it? We are His precious possession He lavishes us with love. Don't let the Image makers of this world change and remake you. Prayer

Lesson 5 Daniel 3-the Golden Image

·        Image makers

·        Tale Bearers

·        Faithful believers

“God will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

According to the oldest Greek version of the Old Testament, the Septuagint, this passage tonight (BC 586) occurred between 16 or 20 years after the end of chapter 2 (BC 603), so the Hebrew boys were no longer teenager who needed Daniel to lead them. The fact that Daniel was absent may seem insignificant, but it was in God's ultimate plan.

King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits . A cubit was 18 inches which translate 90 feet X 9 feet. Abnormal proportions made it look like an obelisk. The tall thin statue could be seen for miles away. Similar to the Washington Monument which is 554 feet tall and 15 feet at the base but the proportions for the Kings image was 1/10.

²Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather all the important people in Babylon (the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the province) to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

This golden image reminds us of the haunting dream in chapter 2. Remember nobody except Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel had seen the image. However, now instead of just the head of gold the entire image is covered in gold, perhaps proclaiming that his kingdom would last forever. There was not enough gold in Babylon for a solid gold image 90 feet tall. The statue was most likely wood overlaid with gold. Outwardly it seemed to be imperishable but inwardly inferior kind of like the images we see in the news today. Music idol, athletes, stars of the big screen.

As noted in verse 1 the golden image was built on the plain at Dura 6 miles from the city of Babylon.  Along with his issue of pride, Nebuchadnezzar probably maintained a natural fear and concern for personal position and his kingdom. To make sure the people remained loyal to him, he commanded all the officials to report to the site of the statue.  It is estimated there were 300,000 people from all over the Empire. These VIP’s would represent the commoners left back home.

David Jeremiah says the king was trying to unite his vast empire by bringing it together religiously. When everyone bowed down before this image, it was an effort to unite his vast empire bringing them together religiously. By commanding everyone bow down before this image it was a perverted form of worship. The word “Worship” is used 10 times in this chapter. There are prophetic comparisons to the end times in Revelation with the number 666 representing the Antichrist, who will demand to be worshipped.

How do you create an image? A façade? Is the real you the one everyone sees: at work, at church, in public? Is the image you portray the one God desires?

Chameleons have special cells (chromatophores) which produce bold color changes communicating moods. Males become bright to signal their dominance and turn dark in aggressive encounters. Owners of chameleons can learn to read their pet’s mood based on the color of its skin.

Can your family tell your mood based on the tone of your voice or the frown on your face? Bring your troubles to the throne of grace. No matter what you have done or how unworthy you think you are- remember God will never leave you or forsake you.

·        Tale Bearers

SLIDE 6 Do you think there were enough instruments? This was more of a worship service than a grand unveiling.  King Nebuchadnezzar gazed at the brilliant gold image shining in the sun of the desert. He was so taken with the ceremony and the festivities of all those important people worshiping the image that he did not notice that some did not bent the knee.

Enter the Chaldeans declaring to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever!”

Don’t you just love people like this; seeking attention by fawning over and praising the king, stroking his ego.  They could hardly wait to whisper in his ear.

V.12 These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

Do you think they were jealous that these Hebrew boys were “appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon?”

Song of Solomon 8:6 tells us:

Jealousy as cruel as the grave;
Its flames are flames of fire,
A most vehement flame.

A tale-bearer is like a merchant, but he deals in information instead of goods. 

A Jewish fable: A woman went about the town spreading gossip about the rabbi. Later, she realized the wrong, and began to feel remorse. She went to the rabbi and begged his forgiveness, seeking make amends. The rabbi told the woman, "Take a feather pillow to the center of town, cut it open, and scatter the feathers to the winds." When she returned to tell the rabbi it was done, he told her go back and find every feather and put it back in the pillow case.
She replied, “But rabbi that is impossible. There’s no way I can possibly find all those feathers. The wind will blow them everywhere!” 

“That is true; you can no more make amends for the damage of your words than you can re-collect the feathers scattered to the wind."

Do you seek to deliver the best appraisal of a situation or do you carry tales? Think about your words and how powerful they are: to encourage or to tear down. If you have been the victim of gossip or unkind words just know...
 “God will never leave you nor forsake you.”

·        Faithful believers

Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded to bring these men before the king.

14 "Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up?

Instead of a herald, King Nebuchadnezzar issued the command to “fall down and worship the image that I have made. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?"  It is very dangerous to mock a Sovereign God as we shall see in chapter 4.

This furnace six miles outside of town could be in an area that bricks were manufactured.  Babylon was known for their brick kilns. The location of the furnace made it the perfect device of punishment.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego expressed their absolute commitment to God. They didn't make their obedience contingent upon God saving them.

¹⁷If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

¹⁸But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

Exodus 20:4-5 is God's command, “You shall not bow down to created image, an idol.” Their choice was to obey the King or to obey God’s command. They didn't need to discuss it, have a committee meeting, or negotiate.

They knew “God would never leave them nor forsake them.”

Warren Wiersbe says "True faith isn't frightened by threats, impressed by crowds, or swayed by superstitious ceremonies.” Page 51

Clearly the king in his rage was not thinking. The best way to punish a man wasn't to increase the temperature to kill quickly but to decrease the temperature so the victim would die a slow painful death.

Because the king's order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

As Nebuchadnezzar watched he cried out, "But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods."

The fire burned the cords which bound the three men and set them free.

A Theophany is a visible appearance of God. Some say the fourth person in the furnace is a Christophany a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, seen many time in the Old Testament. The king called it an angel. Whatever you believe; it was God’s protection.

Nebuchadnezzar was convinced of the power of the Most High God.

Isaiah 43:2-3 (written 150 years prior)

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you.

In the final verses of the chapter Nebuchadnezzar:  Blessed God, degreed everyone to worship the one true God, and promoted the Daniel’s friends. Their names were repeated 12 times in this chapter always a trio, but we will not here from them again.

It's easy to be a Christian when everything is going great but when the fires of testing is hot we are being watched by God.

A church sign I have passed for weeks says, “God gives the hardest test to the strong.”

God uses fire so hot to purify us that we think we're going to be consumed. Yet we come out liberated from the things we waste our lives worrying about.

When was the last time you were tested?

When you must walk through the scathing fire of criticism, anger, or pain, you will emerge without burns, without harm. “God will never leave you nor forsake you.”

As we sang the words of How Firm a Foundation remember we will face trials as Christians, but they are designed to help us live the way that Jesus walked.

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

Illustration from David Jeremiah’s The Handwriting on the Wall

John Chrysostom  (AD 347 to 407) who later became Archbishop of Constantinople.

An emperor ordered John to give up Christ, or he would be banished forever from the country.

John said, “You cannot, for the whole world is my father's land. You can’t banish me.

The emperor said, “Then I will take away all your property.”

“You cannot. My treasures are in heaven,” was the reply.

“Then I'll take you to a place where there's not a friend to speak to.”

John replied, “You cannot. I have a friend who is closer than brother. I shall have Jesus Christ forever!”

The Emperor finally threatened, “Then I'll take away your life!”

The answer was, “You cannot. My life is hidden with God in Christ.”

Can you answer tonight that you life is hidden with God in Christ?

Will you choose to accept His promise that he will never leave you or forsake you?

Daniel Lesson 4 Nebuchadnezzar's Dream Interpreted

Many of our new ladies may not know that I a bit of a rock hound. It started when I taught Rocks and Minerals third grade. Our field trip to the gem mines. Each child picked up a rock and donated it to our rock fountain. That year as I worked on my National Board Certification I went to a conference over Christmas break at Western Carolina. This photo is the wall of frozen ice lining the highway. My love is to study nature and the natural gems our Lord created.

When CBS met at Lutheran Chapel we did a study of Revelation. A former ATD took glass marbles and made a tower of colors for the twelve foundation stones in New Jerusalem. It so inspired me that I searched for the twelve gemstones listed in the chapter. From that I fashioned a Revelation 21 bracelet and later a necklace using the stones from the text in the Bible. Hope you are looking forward to the study of Revelation and Daniel is giving us a foretaste tonight of the latter days and Christ’s reign. Prayer

Dream Interpretation    Lesson 4~Daniel 2:24-49

·        Omniscient God in Heaven

o   All knowing, He knows the end from the beginning from ancient times, what is still to come. (Isaiah 46:10). 

·        Jesus the Solid Rock

o   The Messiah, the promised one

Christ’s Kingdom is Forever

25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste and said thus to him: “I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who will make known to the king the interpretation.”  Contrast Arioch pride with the humility of Daniel.

First the King wanted to know if Daniel could tell him the dream and interpret it. Honestly Daniel reveals that no man could possibly know this.

²⁸ but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Two of my favorite words in the Bible are “but God!”

Daniel gave the glory to God alone. “With absolute confidence and skill, Daniel unfolded the dream while informing the king that God in heaven has the whole world in His hands and that it is He who rules the future. Nebuchadnezzar might have been surprised at having his dream revealed, but Daniel knew that God was able to reveal mysteries.” Bob Conway from Decoding Daniel

Daniel slept well unlike King Nebuchadnezzar. He did not fear for his life for he trusted in God. Can we do less with our daily concerns and irrational fears?

³⁰ But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind.

³¹ “You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. This image, mighty and of exceeding brightness, stood before you, and its appearance was frightening. ³² The head of this image was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze, ³³ its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. ³⁴ As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. ³⁵ Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, all together were broken in pieces, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found.

But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

Warren Weisbe in his book “Be Resolute” four things we know to be true

1.     God is in control and Christ’s kingdom will last forever. As we read last week in verse 21 “he removes kings and sets up kings;”

2.      Earthly rulers and human endeavors decline as time goes on

3.      The difficulty for things to hold together at the end of the age

4.      Jesus will return and destroy his enemies and establish his kingdom

Dr. Renald Showers, in his book 'The Most High God', writes 

'Babylon used gold extensively in its buildings, images and shrines. Even walls and buildings were overlaid with gold...  In ancient times silver signified money. Medo-Persia became noted for basing its power on money... (Ann’s comment-remember the thirteen pieces of silver paid Judas’ betrayal of Jesus.”)The Greeks developed this metal (bronze) highly and used it extensively... Ancient Rome was noted for its use of iron in its military weaponry.'

As we gaze at the statue starting at the top gold is the most value element but very soft and 10 times the atomic weight of  clay; silver five times heavier than clay. Moving in descending order the metals silver, bronze, iron are less costly but greater strength is depicted as we move down the statue. Wiersbe says the statue was actually top-heavy. “From age to age nations and kingdoms appear strong and durable but they're always in danger of falling over and crashing.

Each section of the image represents proportionally the duration of four empires from the shortest to the longest.

First, the head is the shortest duration: Gold - Babylonian Empire (606-539 BC)

Second, Silver Chest and Arms - Medes and Persian Empire (539-330 BC)

Third, belly Thighs of Bronze - Greek Empire (330-63 BC)

Fourth, Legs of Iron , which are the longest - Roman Empire (63 BC - 476 AD)

In A.D. 455, the Western Roman Empire fell to the Vandals, and in A.D. 1453, the Eastern Roman Empire fell to the Ottomans. Bob Conway from Decoding Daniel

Feet of Iron & Clay - Revised Roman Empire/European Union present until Jesus returns

Ladies, who was looking for a place to write in the fifth kingdom on the chart in your lesson?

I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Alexander the Great. New facts taught me as influential and as great a warrior as he was, he only reigned only 13 years, dying at age 32. He never lost a battle and was responsible for spreading the Greek language and culture through the land, may be the reason the New Testament was written in Greek. After his death his four generals divided the empire.

The feet of partly iron and partly clay symbolize the changing of rulers and empires.  The weakness was not located in the iron legs (Ancient Rome), but in the feet and toes.
But when Christ returns his Kingdom will last Forever

 Daniel 2:⁴¹ And as you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom, but some of the firmness of iron shall be in it, just as you saw iron mixed with the soft clay. ⁴² And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly brittle. ⁴³ As you saw the iron mixed with soft clay, so they will mix with one another in marriage,^[c] but they will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with clay.  (Makes me think of oil and water.)

Nebuchadnezzar kingdom was vast and wide. On the map you can see the green area marking the Babylonian Empire. The red trail shows the distance the Hebrews had to travel to their captivity. He was dazzle about the brilliance of the gold and precious metals that the image was standing on feet of iron and clay.

Representing the present through the time when Jesus returns the ten toes of mixed with iron and clay show the deterioration of sovereignty. WW p.41 “Clay robs iron its ability to hold things together. Society today is held together by treaties that can be broken, promises that can be ignored, traditions it can be forgotten, organizations that can be disbanded, and money making in a process that can fail--all of it iron mixed with Clay! Man at his best is Clay for God made them from the dust of the earth Genesis 1:26.”  

The difficulty for things to hold together at the end of the age will be covered later in Daniel 7:23–24 and Revelation 17:12-14

⁴⁴ And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, ⁴⁵ just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”

47 The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.” 

Jesus will return and destroy his enemies and establish his kingdom.

Now we will talk about the Rock of my Salvation. Many songs of our faith about the rock. So many verses in the Bible are about stones and rocks. One author found 14 instances of in scripture referring to Jesus. Here are a few for you to check out.

The stone is an image of God messiah Jesus Christ son of God

His Kingdom lasts Forever

•         Psalm 118:22

•         Isaiah 8:14

•         Isaiah 28:16,

•         Matthew 21:44

•         Luke 20:17-18

•         Acts 4:11

•         1 Corinthians 10:4

•         1 Peter 2:4-8

I will give you a just a taste of these scripture for Jesus in the gospels and Peter in his letter combines many Old Testament scriptures.

Psalm 118:22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

Isaiah 8:14 And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Isaiah 28:16 therefore thus says the Lord God,
“Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion,
    a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation:
    ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’

Matthew 21: ⁴⁴ And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” (Luke  20:18)

Acts 4:11 This Jesus^[a] is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.

Jesus is a smitten stone representing the rock struck my Moses to bring forth water in Exodus 17:5-6

1 Corinthians 10: our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, ² and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,³ and all ate the same spiritual food, ⁴ and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.

1 Peter 2:4-8(ESV)

⁴ As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, ⁵ you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶ For it stands in Scripture:

6 “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,  a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

⁷ So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone,” (Matthew 21:42)
⁸ and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”

King Nebuchadnezzar had to learn that the wealth and prosperity of his great kingdom meant nothing. It would be reduced to chaff and be blown away. The king had to learn that he must be looking to and living for the ‘stone’ that would become a everlasting kingdom over the entire earth! Christ’s Kingdom is Forever

Psalm 89:26 ‘You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’

Ladies we work and save to buy perishable things which have no earthly value. My home, my family heirlooms, my car; all will be left behind when I go to meet my sweet Jesus. I've heard it said there will be no U-Haul or armored car behind a hearse. That's why we lay up treasures in heaven.

We must remember that our entire lives will pass through a fire that will test our works. Only that which is built upon the foundation of the true stone, Jesus Christ, will remain. (1 Cor 3:10-15) JesusPlusNothing

Will you choose to join Jesus Christ in His eternal kingdom?

RESOURCES

Warren Weisbe in his book “Be Resolute”

 David Jeremiah in his book “Handwriting on the Wall”

http://www.decodingdaniel.com/  Bob Conway

http://www.jesusplusnothing.com/studies/online/Daniel2b.htm  I. Gordan

Daniel Lesson 3

Do you have trouble sleeping or do you sleep like a baby? How many of you have dreams? Do you dream in color? Can you remember your dreams after you wake up?

This week I have had very vivid dreams, disturbing dreams. Probably not a message from God but it was scary enough to wake me up at 4:30. Medial studies show people with “high recall of their dreams have twice as many periods of wakefulness during the night and their brains reacted more to sounds while they're sleeping and awake.”
Web MD 

If you suffer from chronic lack of sleep, you may wake up with a headache. You may also feel cranky, lethargic, and even depressed. Lack of sleep impairs attention, alertness, concentration, reasoning, and problem solving. It can affect your physical health and your emotional health. No wonder Nebuchadnezzar woke up in such a snit.

How do you know if your dreams are from God?

Who else might put thoughts into your mind? In my evening devotions Quiet Reflections of Peace I was reminded “we have a powerful enemy who whispers into our thought and fuels emotion of dread, worry, helplessness and fear. “

It was not uncommon for God to speak supernaturally to His people throughout the Bible: Dreams to reveal His plan, to further His plan, and warn people in places of influence. God allowed Joseph called “the dreamer” to turn his imprisonment into an opportunity. He used his gift to achieve a high position in Pharaoh’s court which ultimately saved the nation of Israel.

 The prophet Samuel as a young child was repeatedly awakened by God with a message of warning for his mentor Eli.

God also speaks to pagan rulers and kings. In Genesis 20 God warned Abimelech king of Gerar in a dream that he dare not touch Sarah for she was the wife of Abraham. She was promised to be “mother of nations.”

During the trial of our Lord Jesus, Pilate’s wife demanded “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” Matthew 27:19

David speaks of God’s promise Psalm 4:8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.

Let us PRAY Father God, What a glorious image of you guarding me as I sleep. You never tire or forget to watch over me. Tonight guard my heart, guard my mind, and guard my lips as I teach. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. In Jesus precious name, Amen

Remember Daniel 2:4 through the seventh chapter is written in Aramaic, the language of the Babylonian court.

Nebuchadnezzar's Dream~ Daniel 2:1-23

·        An Impossible Request

·        An Answered Prayer

                        Nothing is impossible with God.  

There were some dangers to being a king in Babylon. Young Nebuchadnezzar probably slept with one eye open, fearful someone wanted his position. Babylonians believe that the gods sent messages through dreams and failure to recall your dream could mean trouble with the gods.

Dr. David Jeremiah in his book Handwriting on the Wall (p. 48) says “Nebuchadnezzar was the first gentile king to be ruler of the world. It is no coincidence that the nature of the dream was God’s plan for the times of the Gentiles.”

God communicated to a pagan king through a recurrent dream. King Nebuchadnezzar was rightfully cautious about his kingship; and his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him.  Either the king was so fearful he forgot the dream or he was using it to test the supernatural abilities and integrity of his wise men.

2:5 “The word from me is firm: (the ESV means I have decided) if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins.    Somebody woke up grumpy.

⁶ But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and interpret it for me.”

Nebuchadnezzar had many different groups in his council: magicians or scholars; the astrologers or stargazers; the sorcerers or mediums; and the Chaldeans who were the wise men of Babylon. These men held positions of honor and prestige in the kingdom. They were supposed to be able to interpret dreams. But their positions and education could not save them from an angry king. If the wise men of Babylon where expendable who could be safe?

Daniel 2:11“What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among men.” 

They did not know nothing is impossible with Our God. 

Not until Jesus came to earth. John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Although they were still in training, King Nebuchadnezzar wanted all the men rounded up and executed.

Arioch was the captain of the king’s guard. The root of the original word “tabbah” translated guard means to slay. When he came knocking at the door of Daniel and his friends, God equipped Daniel with a calm and composed manner. “Why is the decree from the king so hasty?”

Although Nebuchadnezzar refused to grant his own seers more time, Daniel bravely asked to appear before the king to request “that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation.” For nothing is impossible with God. 

Remarkably the request was granted. Daniel did not rush to his books of learning but to his faithful friends; Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. He asked them to seek mercies to reveal the dream to Daniel and save not only their lives but the lives of all the rest of the wise men in Babylon. These young men had to trust Daniel enough to believe God would speak through Him.

Throughout the book of Daniel we will see that Daniel and his friends are faithful in prayer to their God. Though far away from home they looked toward Jerusalem and claimed the promise that the God of the heavens would hear their prayers and answer them for His own glory. The word “secret” or the equivalent word “mystery” is used eight times in this chapter. Remember this chapter is in Raz: Aramaic, short for Raziah Meaning: Hebrew, "the Lord's secret".

Only the God of the universe could hid prophetic truth in a dream and give His servant Daniel the knowledge of the dream and the interpretation.

Because nothing is impossible with God. 

Matthew 13:10-12 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” Jesus answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. ¹² For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

Ladies, I believe this is a promise that as we study our Bibles and spend time with God daily, we will be give understanding.

What do you do when you have a dilemma that keeps you awake at night? Do you have a prayer partner who can join you in petitioning the Father on your behalf?

James 5:16 The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. If you do not, I urge you for seek out “wise counsel” and commit to each other to pray for and lift each other before the throne of God. An accountability partner will also encourage you to be grounded in the Word and remind you to take your cares to the Creator of the Universe.

Will you remember nothing is impossible with God? 

This photo was so powerful! We pray fervently for our soldiers on foreign soil. I truly believe there is power in prayer.

Matthew 20: ¹⁹ Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

¹⁹ During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision.  I’m sure Daniel was so excited when the LORD revealed the answer that would save all the wise men in Babylon most of us would run to tell someone. We might make a beeline for the king’s court. But not Daniel first he praised the God of heaven ²⁰ and said:

 “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
    to whom belong wisdom and might.

²¹ He changes times and seasons;
    he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to those who have understanding;
²² he reveals deep and hidden things;
    he knows what is in the darkness,
  and the light dwells with him.

When we give our hopes and dreams to God and then leave them in His hands, we can trust His love for us to fulfill what He has planned.

Will you remember that with God all things are possible?

Dear Lord,

When we have trouble sleeping thank you that Your power and love know no limits. You take away the frantic worries in our minds and refresh our souls as we sleep. Slow down our emotion-filled mind to thoughts of praising You. Guard us safely as we travel home in Jesus name and for His glory. Amen