Daniel 4
From Nebuchadnezzar's Chronicles
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My name is Daniel. I am a slave to the king of Babylon. My work is here in King Nebuchadnezzar's palace.
I am called upon whenever the king's advisors cannot answer his questions. He knows I will pray and ask God for what to say. He even encourages me to do so because then he will hear the right answer.
The answers, though are not necessarily something that will benefit the king. At least King Nebuchadnezzar is mostly interested in hearing the truth over what pleases him. Not all kings are this way.
Last time, Nebuchadnezzar told you about a dream he had. The dream came last night, and it scared him terribly. Scroll down to the last post to read the dream.
After he finished telling me the dream he said, "Belteshazzar," that is the name he calls me, even though my given name is Daniel. "Belteshazzar tell me what the dream means. Not one of the wise men in m kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you."
I was thoroughly confused at the time. I prayed and God told me the meaning of the dream. My thoughts and the meaning of the dream terrified me. I couldn't speak, the meaning was so terrible.
King Nebechadnezzar finally said after I'd been quiet for such a long time, "Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you. Tell me what you know."
I took a deep breath and answered him. "My lord, if only the dream was meant for your enemies and its meaning for your adversaries! The tree you saw grew large and strong with its top touching the sky. It was visible to the whole earth with beautiful leaves and lots of fruit providing food for man and animal. It also gave shelter to the beasts of the field in addition to nesting places in its branches for the birds of the air. You, O king, are that tree!
"You have become great and strong. Your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky. Your kingdom extends to distant parts of the earth.
"You saw a messenger, a holy one from heaven who said, 'Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump which is bound with iron and bronze in the grass of the field. Leave the roots in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven. Let him live like the wild animals for seven years.'"
I bowed my head. "This is the meaning of your dream, O king, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against you, my lord. You will be driven away from people and live with the wild animals. You will eat grass like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven years will pass before you will acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and can give them to whom He wishes.
"The command to leave the stump and roots means your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. Please, O king, accept my advice. Turn away from your sins by doing what is right. Turn from your wickedness by being kind to those who suffer. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.
Come back next time to read what King Nebuchadnezzar decided to do.
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1. Nebuchadnezzar is the king of _____________
2. Why did Nebuchadnezzar call for Daniel's help with the dream?
3. What was the meaning of the dream, according to what God told Daniel?
4. What advice did Daniel give to King Nebuchadnezzar?
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