Pride Goes Before A Fall Message 6 in Daniel Sermon Series Daniel 4:1-37 (NKJV)

Transcription

1 Message for the LORD S DAY MORNING, June 3, 2012 MESSAGE 6 in Series from The Book of Daniel ( Back To The Future ) Christian Hope Church of Christ, Plymouth, North Carolina by Reggie A. Braziel, Minister Pride Goes Before A Fall Message 6 in Daniel Sermon Series Daniel 4:1-37 (NKJV) As we continue with our study of the Book of Daniel, please open your Bibles to Daniel chapter 4. Progressively King Nebuchadnezzar has been learning more and more about God. -In Daniel chapter 1, Nebuchadnezzar came to realize God is the all-wise God of godly wisdom when he could see the obvious results of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego s choice to eat vegetables and drink water, rather than eat the King s food and wine. -And remember that dream Nebuchadnezzar had in Daniel chapter 2? Nebuchadnezzar came to realize God is the allknowing God when Daniel revealed the king s dream and its interpretation regarding the future kingdoms that would rise to power. -And in Daniel chapter 3, Nebuchadnezzar came to realize God is the all-powerful God, when God sent His only Son into the fiery furnace to deliver Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. As we come to Daniel chapter 4, Nebuchadnezzar has become puffed up with pride and arrogance as his kingdom has grown larger. God hates pride! Pride in many ways is the root of all sin. -It was PRIDE that led the angel Lucifer to rebel against God and be cast out of heaven. -PRIDE was the first sin experienced by man when Satan tempted Eve and Adam with the forbidden fruit so they could be like God. -Pride lifts the mind and heart of a man into a position he

2 does not belong. Pride causes a man to steal the honor and the glory and the praise that rightfully belongs to Almighty God. But there is one thing you can be certain of. Any time you see a man who is puffed up with pride and arrogance.a man who is full of himself a man who is a legend in his own mind you can be sure it is just a matter of time before that man falls and falls hard. Proverbs 16:18 (NKJV) issues this stern warning to all who are proud in heart Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. In Daniel chapter 4 we are about to see how God literally brought the most powerful man on the face of the earth to his knees. Before we get into today s scripture text, let s ask God s blessings on our time of study. P R A Y E R ************************************ In Daniel 4 we see five distinct points: -In verses 1-3 we see NEBUCHADNEZZAR S PROCLAMATION -In verses 4-18 we see NEBUCHADNEZZAR S HALLUCINATION -In verses we see DANIEL S INTERPRETATION -In verses we see NEBUCHADNEZZAR S HUMILIATION -And in verses we see NEBUCHADNEZZAR S EXALTATION First, let s look at I. Nebuchadnezzar s Proclamation (vs. 1-3)

3 1 Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. 2 I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me. 3 How great are His signs, and how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation. 1. This is one of the most unique passages in all the Bible. The first eighteen verses of Daniel chapter 4 were actually written or dictated by Nebuchadnezzar himself. Does this mean Nebuchadnezzar was an inspired biblical writer? NO! But what Nebuchadnezzar said was inspired so much so that the Holy Spirit inspired Daniel to include Nebuchadnezzar s words in his prophetic book. 2. Basically what Nebuchadnezzar is saying in these opening verses is this: I want to tell the whole world about what I have learned about the Most High God. I had an unusual dream and didn t tell a soul any of the details, and yet the Most High God revealed the dream and its meaning to me through Daniel. I cast three men into a fiery furnace and the Most High God delivered them from the fire without even a single hair being singed. My kingdom will one day come to an end, but His kingdom will last forever. 3. Keep in mind these words are the testimony of the most powerful ruler in the world in his day. These words are the testimony of the ruler of the first of five Gentile Empires that would rise and fall throughout history. 4. But while Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged God intellectually the subsequent events in this fourth chapter would lead us to believe Nebuchadnezzar still didn t bow to God personally. Perhaps Nebuchadnezzar was much like the Pharisees of whom Jesus said in Matthew 15:8... These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. Well let s move on from NEBUCHADNEZZAR S PROCLAMATION to

4 II. Nebuchadnezzar s Hallucination (vs. 4-18) 1. In verses 4-9, Nebuchadnezzar speaks in first person about another dream he had. This is the second of three dreams Nebuchadnezzar would have. Remember in Daniel 2 Nebuchadnezzar s first dream was about the giant image of a man dressed in various kinds of precious metals, which represented the five Gentile kingdoms that would rule the earth throughout history. 2. This second dream recorded here in Daniel 4 was not about a giant image, but rather a giant TREE. Let s pick up the record in VERSES Daniel 4:10-17 (NKJV) 10 These were the visions of my head while on my bed: I was looking, and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great. 11 The tree grew and became strong; its height reached to the heavens, and it could be seen to the ends of all the earth. 12 Its leaves were lovely, its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, the birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it. 13 I saw in the visions of my head while on my bed, and there was a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven. 14 He cried aloud and said thus: Chop down the tree and cut off its branches, strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts get out from under it, And the birds from its branches. 15 Nevertheless leave the stump and roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field. let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him graze with the beasts on the grass of the earth. 16 Let his heart be changed from that of a man, let him be given the heart of a beast, and let seven times pass over him.

5 17 This decision is by the decree of the watchers, and the sentence by the word of the holy ones, in order that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men. 1. Trees and plants are common metaphors in the Bible for kingdoms. They GROW they WITHER and eventually they DIE. 2. The fact that the tree in Nebuchadnezzar s dream had grown tall and strong and its branches spread to the ends of the earth tells us the King s Kingdom had conquered many lands and now Nebuchadnezzar was at home relishing in his power and prosperity. 3. Nebuchadnezzar was confident that no one on earth could ever overthrow his kingdom. But wait, something very disturbing occurs in his dream! 13 I saw in the visions of my head while on my bed, and there was a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven. 14 He cried aloud and said thus: Chop down the tree and cut off its branches, strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts get out from under it, And the birds from its branches. 4. One minute Nebuchadnezzar is dreaming of a giant tree tall and strong, with branches spreading to the ends of the earth. And the next minute in his dream he sees a watcher (which is a name for an angel, perhaps even a special class of angels.).. A watcher comes down from heaven and CUTS DOWN THE GIANT TREE CUTS OFF ITS BRANCHES..STRIPS IT OF ALL ITS LEAVES SCATTERS ITS FRUIT. and LEAVES NOTHING BUT A STUMP AND ROOTS. 5. What is going on here? What is this dream all about? That s what Nebuchadnezzar wants to find out. He s already told the dream to his wise men and as with the first dream, the King discovered they were pretty

6 worthless when it came to dream interpretation. 6. So as before, Nebuchadnezzar turns to Daniel. v. 18 This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, (remember that s the Babylonian name the King had given to Daniel).Now you, Belteshazzar declare its interpretation, since all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation but you are able, for the Spirit of the Holy God is in you. We now see Daniel s interpretation in VERSES III. Daniel s Interpretation (vs ) First look at VERSE Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time, and his thoughts troubled him. So the king spoke, and said, Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, may the dream concern those who hate you, and its interpretation concern your enemies! 1. After Nebuchadnezzar told Daniel about his dream, Daniel is very upset; not because he doesn t know what the dream means, but because he did. When Daniel revealed the meaning of the first dream he had GOOD NEWS for Nebuchadnezzar. This time he has BAD NEWS. 2. Let s move on to VERSES The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which could be seen by all the earth, the 21 whose leaves were lovely and its fruit abundant, in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches birds of the heaven had their home 22 it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your dominion to the end of the earth. 23 And inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from

7 heaven and saying, Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump and roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze in the tender grass of the field; let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him graze with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him ; 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king: 25 They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses. 26 And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules. 27 Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity. 3. Daniel cut to the chase fairly quickly! Basically what he told Nebuchadnezzar was this: You are the great tree in your dream. Your power has grown great and strong, and it is true there is no one earth who can bring you and your kingdom down, BUT GOD CAN! GOD RAISED YOU UP AND GOD CAN BRING YOU DOWN, AND TO PROVE IT GOD IS GOING TO ALLOW YOU TO BE INSANE FOR SEVEN YEARS, AND WHEN YOU HAVE HUMBLED YOURSELF AND REPENTED OF YOUR SINS, GOD WILL RESTORE YOU TO POWER. This now brings us to the FOURTH POINT we want to consider and that is IV. Nebuchadnezzar s Humiliation (vs ) 28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace

8 of Babylon. 30 The king spoke, saying, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty? 31 While the word was still in the king s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! 32 And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses. 33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles feathers and his nails like birds claws. 1. A month went by..then two.then three..then six months.then ten.and before he knew it, one year had passed since Daniel had given Nebuchadnezzar the interpretation of his dream. Still nothing had happened. Well ol Nebuchadnezzar is feeling pretty cocky by now. Look again at VERSES 29, At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king spoke, saying, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty? (listen to the PRIDE and ARROGANCE!) 2. VERSE 31 tells us while Nebuchadnezzar was still speaking, while he was still bragging, a voice fell from heaven: King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken, the kingdom has departed from you! 3. Within one hour, Nebuchadnezzar went from his

9 Babylonian PALACE to a PASTURE, in what may be one of the strangest occurrences in all the Bible. In short, here is what happened. Nebuchadnezzar went INSANE. He was afflicted with a mental disorder called zoanthrophy. When one suffers from zoanthrophy they actually believe themselves to be an ANIMAL. Not only do they behave like an animal, their appearance actually takes on animal-like features. VERSE 33 tells us Nebuchadnezzar s body was wet with dew..his hair grew out like eagle feathers.. and his fingernails and toenails grew like bird claws. 4. Hardly the proud, arrogant King he was before, Nebuchadnezzar lived like an animal for seven long years. 5. There is an interesting side note recorded in the Jewish Talmud (which is a collection of Jewish writings) that during those seven years of madness, Nebuchadnezzar was cared for by Daniel. That would certainly be in character for Daniel wouldn t it. Well we have considered NEBUCHADNEZZAR S PROCLAMATION. and NEBUCHADNEZZAR S HALLUCINATION and DANIEL S INTERPRETATION and NEBUCHADNEZZAR S HUMILIATION. Finally, let s consider. V. Nebuchadnezzar s Exaltation (vs ) 34 And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding 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 is from generation to generation. 35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. no one can restrain His hand or say to Him, What have You done? 36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me.

10 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down. 1. Notice the sequence of events (A) First, Nebuchadnezzar LIFTED up his EYES. (v.34) It was not until Nebuchadnezzar lifted his eyes heavenward that the Lord restored his sanity. That one simple gesture was an act of humility. In his pride and arrogance Nebuchadnezzar s eyes were fixed upon himself. Now he lifts his eyes toward the God of heaven. It was at that point God gave him back his understanding. In other words, God gave him back his right mind. (B) Secondly notice, Nebuchadnezzar LIFTED up his VOICE. (vs. 34, 35) In vs. 34 and 35, Nebuchadnezzar praised God as the Supreme Ruler over all. He also praised God for His eternal existence and His unchanging nature. Nebuchadnezzar LIFTED UP HIS EYES. Nebuchadnezzar LIFTED UP HIS VOICE. (C) Then thirdly, notice God LIFTED up Nebuchadnezzar. (v.36) Nebuchadnezzar is not the same king he was seven years earlier. Pride has been replaced with humility. Praise of self has been replaced with praise of God. A heathen king is now a godly king. C O N C L U S I O N As we close, I want to share an interesting side note to all this. Before Nebuchadnezzar rose to power, his father, NABOPOLASSAR had been the King of Babylon. What kind of man was he? Perhaps this inscription written by Nabopolassar s own hand says it best. In my littleness, I am the son of a nobody. I am an insignificant

11 man, who among men was not even visible. (edited for clarity) This was the humble man who raised Nebuchadnezzar. Somewhere along the way Nebuchadnezzar forgot his humble raise uns as we say. His mind and heart became so swelled with PRIDE he forgot the God who raised him up to be king. On a personal level I believe this passage serves as a warning to all of us to GUARD AGAINST A PROUD SPIRIT. Pride is such a subtle thing. It can worm its way into our minds and hearts without us even realizing it. We can easily become proud of our POSITION in life and take credit for placing ourselves in that position by our own hard work. We can become proud of our POSSESSIONS and flaunt them as a status symbol of our success. We can even become proud of our own GOODNESS by self-righteously boasting about our good deeds and stealing the honor and glory that belongs to GOD ALONE! May none of us ever forget that ALL WE ARE, ALL WE HAVE, AND ALL WE HAVE ACHIEVED WE OWE TO ALMIGHTY GOD!