Speechless

Daniel 4:19-28

Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies. The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;

Notice that Daniel was astonished for an hour. You know something, Isaiah's prophecies were written before the captivity ever took place. Daniel was doubtless familiar with Isaiah 14 and what that passage said concerning the King of Babylon. Here is the king with a dream matching that of the prophecy. It lines up as we will see here, and it forms a very detailed story of what really happened in the space of one very short testimony chapter. This passage occurred over the space of several years. I have noticed that most Jewish scholars even to this day turn a rather fetching shade of blue whenever the prophecies of Isaiah are mentioned. They prefer Moses and the law to any of the prophets, especially Isaiah and Ezekiel. However, these are conversations for another day. This is why Jesus had to discuss with the Jewish leaders of his day what Moses had said regarding the resurrection according to Mark 12:26-27. Is it not interesting to note that this is what they still say to this day - nothing. Now Daniel's problem was not what the Scripture said. It was that his interpretation and understanding thereof was faulty to this point. See, in Heaven God will clear up some things. Then as at Revelation 8:1, there will be similar silence in Heaven for the space of half an hour. Again, these events are not shocking. Rather our understanding or lack thereof is quite shocking. See, Daniel had his mouth open here because he thought that there was judgement decreed concerning the king of Babylon and nothing else.

Sometimes you can learn the most about someone by just letting them do the talking for themselves. The name Belteshazzar was after the name of the king's God. As discussed before Belteshazzar means more purely "Bel protects his life." There is a similar name recorded in Luke 12:15 of Beelzebub, prince of the demons. You may wonder why I mention this now. We see the temptation of Jesus recorded in Matthew 4:6: "he will command his angels concerning you." Again, at Job 1:6, the sons of God came to present themselves before him and Satan came in also. This is why the Lord can say with the confidence of Genesis 50:20, what the devil meant for evil, was turned into good. We believe not as if God has lost all control of Heaven and the angels which ran riot over his creation. He is not the old man, of 1 Samuel 4:17-18 whose sons disobeyed him, that fell over backwards to his death from obesity. Only an all-powerful God can take control of the forces of good and evil. Only he can use them to accomplish all his purposes.

We see such inconsistent with his character as he tells the lying spirit to go deceive the king of Israel. We praise Him because he is all-powerful. He is omnipotent. He is the ancient of days. He sits on his throne high and lifted-up and walks among men. The rebellion has already been dealt with. We see in Genesis 3:14, God commands the server to be the servant. Out of jealousy for God's position he rebelled and out of jealousy he still serves him.

Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation: It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.

Here we see that Belshazzar has something he would like to say. You might be saying to yourself, 'I thought God is perfect; he shouldn't have personality problems.' Oh, but you see, the cup in the hand of the Lord is mixed as in Psalm 75:8. He makes the nations drink thereof down to its very dregs. As with the nation of Israel told of in Deuteronomy 30:19, there was set before them blessing and cursing. The blessing for them became accursed when they did not do right in the sight of the Lord. The curse turned into a blessing when once again they followed him. Who knows if he might turn and leave behind a blessing. See, had king Nebuchadnezzar left the situation with the nation of Israel alone rather than attempting to teach and correct them along with his own nation, he may have avoided all of this. But, because he did not and he sought the Lord and desired the people's correction, God had to enter him into the rest of the book. The rest of the situation that was left behind now applied to both him and his nation. Throughout history we see the leaders have always been held to a higher standard than the people. In fact, God seems to hold the leaders personally responsible for that of which they have knowledge. God is merciful by not judging Nebuchadnezzar of what he knows not. Rather according to the light, teaching, and sight he has been given, he is judged. Also, his correction and guidance of the people and the nation counted for something in God's book.

And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him; This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:

I bet at one time it was not Daniel's pleasure to think this day would ever come. Here he is interpreting prophecies that applied to the King of Babylon. Then the evil, mean king swooped in and took the nation captive at the word of the Lord. Now, Daniel finds himself educated then promoted to a prince among the people. This is a matter of perspective. You ought to fix yours or you may find the Lord fixing it for you. You might feel a certain way about people, but God does not always feel the same. God speaks out of this king's life. Notice here how God just will not leave this king alone. Without going into the doctrine of predestination, the Lord's calling upon man, and other concerns of eschatology, let us break some things down. It is little wonder that Daniel's thoughts terrified him. Mine would also border on blasphemous without the Lord's revelation. I will briefly note that that the vision of the tree that was cut down could also be applied not only to the earthly king but also to a type of pre-revelated Christ. At Marah, Moses cut down a tree to throw into the bitter, undrinkable waters for the people's salvation. This mirrors Christ's sacrifice on the cross and his death, burial, and resurrection. Have you noticed that Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 were given to the Jewish people; however, this vision of what God would do was given to the pagan king. The king has been praising the name of God throughout the book from the moment the first dream was interpreted to the salvation of the Hebrew children and to the beginning of his testimony here.

Christ was expected to be the deliverer of the Jewish nation. At the triumphal entry they cut down palm branches and laid them as a path for him to enter. He was bound with iron and brass in the form of the nails holding him there. The cross as the tree on which he was crucified, him who had done no wrong yet had the sins of the world placed upon him. See, Daniel's injunction to the king mirrors his earlier words to the people. Then, the tree was cut down as Christ died with the stump left in the ground in the grass of the field. Its' roots remain in the ground as the body of Christ was laid in a borrowed tomb covered with the stone. Then, Christ was sent to preach to the ones who had sinned in the days of Noah who were bound with chains and reserved until the day of judgement. At the appointed time came his resurrection and the heavenly messenger's arrival to release him. See now, they presumed him smitten, stricken of God, and afflicted. At Mark 15:34, even Jesus said "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani." The text says he was forsaken by God. However, this speech is Aramaic which roughly translated means "for this purpose I was kept." Among the languages making up the Aramaic was that of the Chaldeans. So, when the prophecy comes, submit to the will of God. He may be doing something for someone else that you do not know about. He may be using you to fulfill his plans for the blessing, the salvation of others, and for your ultimate resurrection. He will turn the situation around. His goal is for the honor and praise of God.

That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.

The intent of the dream is to see that the Most High God rules. Daniel has a personal experience with what he had been preaching. There are several things to be seen here. First, is that of the mind of an animal. Revelation 4:6-9 describes the living creatures as having the faces of a man, ox, lion, and an eagle. However, Ezekiel 10:14 lists these as follows: cherub, man, lion, and eagle. Please help me understand something here. This mind has been changed from that of a man to an animal, yet God has no issue changing the four faces of the living creatures from a cherub to that of an ox. Notice also they are known as living creatures. God is always who was, who is, and who is to come. This is saying that what God intends to come to pass he will accomplish. If he means to give the king a vacation and have him return praising God in his right mind, he will do so. This is an interpretation of the affairs of men. King Nebuchadnezzar was given feathers like an eagle and claws like a bird. I do not know about you, but I know of no wild man looking like this. I do know of supernatural ones matching this description, however. The duration of this will be for seven times. The length of each time is not specified. I may speculate that these have direct forbearing on the prior dream of the man made without hands. How this relates is not directly stated in this passage here.

The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that the kingdom will be restored to King Nebuchadnezzar when he acknowledges that Heaven rules. This is the point of it all is it not? It is all done so that the people of the earth may know this is the case for sure. At the end of the seven times of the tribulation, the people of earth will be forced to admit that Heaven rules. How God cares for his rulers will be seen in his provision for King Nebuchadnezzar. He provided for his safety by driving him away from people, giving him kinship, and a home with the wild animals. There is food provided also and years shown in the eating of grass like an ox. I know a few Hindus who will find kinship in this passage also. See, how can you eat something when you yourself are like that thing you are eating. God will cause it to happen because of who he is. It is possible to eat grass and yet be made from it. Is this not found in the promise of the resurrection? The Hindus call it reincarnation. For those who know Jesus, it is a resurrection. See, God will not leave his rulers in a difficult position in which they serve whether they are popular or not. God can remove you from people and their opinions and feed you by his power. Even the lions suffer hunger and cry out, but those who fear the Lord of Psalm 34:10 "lack no good thing."

Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.

Look at Daniel's restraint. He did not speak all his mind. He spoke with wisdom, tact, and carefulness. This thing occurred for national edification. It was so that the living may know the Most High God reigns. Notice the humility here. The king already was told what God said, the meaning, and the execution thereof. He heard what God said, and still asked someone else for advice on what had really been said. This man allowed Daniel to interpret it again. This king is a mood. God can give you wisdom in difficult situations, so you do not run off at the mouth. Look at the application. Not everything is always about you. Now that we are speaking of a righteous kingdom, let us see one recorded in Revelation 4:6-10. The living creatures were covered with eyes from those surrounding the throne in front and in back. Even under the wings are the eyes of the children and those seeking shelter. The four living creatures surrounding God's throne gave honor and glory to him who sat on the throne continually. Every time they did so, the twenty-four elders fell down and worshipped him. I would really like to know where these elders come from, but the text does not tell me.

Imagine the scene here as holiness calls unto holiness. We see here that the twenty-four elders and those from every tribe, people, language, and tongue are a testimony to him who sits on the throne for what he has done. The crowns of the twenty-four elders are cast before him because they have done nothing to deserve them; rather he has done everything. In verse one of this chapter, King Nebuchadnezzar invites the people to let peace be multiplied unto them. Other translations say the words "prosper greatly" and still others include the original greetings of living forever. Whether the people have peace, prosper greatly, or live forever, remains to be seen. Such is very much dependent upon their obedience unto God as Daniel here has correctly pointed out. In fact, king Nebuchadnezzar's greeting to his people is by extension to himself by right of rule. For this, the only one deserving of our praise and honor is God. The sin that judges the world is for the worship of someone other than God. People reading their Scriptures in isolation of the illinearality of God will have trouble reading them at all. Is he not who was, who is, and who is to come.