Nebuchadnezzar-I Had a Dream

By Mary Vee
Daniel 4

From Nebuchadnezzar's Chronicles

Photo Courtesy

My name is Nebuchadnezzar. I am the king of Babylon. My dominion is vast and we are powerful.

My army conquered the Jews from Judah and took them as captives. I chose one of their brightest young men to serve me in my court. He calls himself Daniel but I call him Belteshazzar

What impresses me most about Belteshazzar is his ability to answer questions no one else can answer.

Just last night I had a dream. The visions that passed through my mind terrified me. A few moments ago, I called my magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners. I told them my dream, and just as I suspected, none of them could interpret the meaning. 

I sent for Daniel.

"Sire, Daniel has arrived as you requested," said my guard.

I waved for him to come forward. "Daniel, I had a frightening dream last night. I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream. Interpret it for me."

"I will ask my God to tell me the meaning."

It was the answer I expected from him. "All right, this was my dream. As I lay in my bed, I saw a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous. The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky. It was visible to the ends of the earth. Its leaves were beautiful. Its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter and the birds of the air lived in its branches. From it every creature was fed.

"I saw a messenger, a holy one coming down from heaven. He called in a loud voice, 'Cut down the tree and trim off its branches. Strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals run away from under it and the birds from its branches. But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground in the grass of the field.'

"The loud voice then said, 'Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal until seven years pass.'

"The loud voice said, 'The decision is announced by messengers. The holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and set over them the lowliest of men.'

I sat back on my chair and held out my hands. "This is my dream. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, because none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods in in you."

I knew Daniel would take a moment to speak with his God. I waited, giving him the time to learn the answer for me.


Come back next time to hear Daniel's answer.


*********************************************************************************************

1. Nebuchadnezzar is the king of _____________
2. Who did Nebuchadnezzar call first to tell him about his dream?
3. Could they help him?
4. Who else did Nebuchadnezzar call?
5. Why did Nebuchadnezzar think this person could help?
6. What was Nebuchadnezzar dream?
7. Why did this frighten him?

8. Who will Daniel ask for help?