The Dream of the Great Tree
4: 1-37
The Fall and Rise of Nebuchadnezzar.
Chapter 4 is the last of the cycle of events in which God is dealing with Nebuchadnezzar. It is similar to Chapter 2 in the sense that it has a dream as its centerpiece, but it stands in contrast to both Chapters 2 and 3 because there is no hint that Dani’el or his friends are in personal danger. This chapter deals with God’s sovereignty and Nebuchadnezzar’s pride. As in Chapter 2, a dream forms the center of the action in Chapter 4. King Nebuchadnezzar is again the recipient of a dream he cannot interpret and, for a second time, he calls on the services of Dani’el. This chapter is written predominantly in the first person, though verses 19 through 33 revert to the third person. The story is a tale of court drama in a subdued way, since it quietly shows Dani’el succeeding where the Babylonian wise men fail.150
As far as God’s sovereignty is concerned, Dani’el 4 will show, there are several principles that were already spelled out centuries earlier in the book of Job, where we read: For God speaks one, even twice, though people do not listen. He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls upon people as they lie in their beds. He whispers in their ears and terrifies them with warnings. He makes them turn from doing wrong; He keeps them from pride. He protects them from the grave, from crossing over into sh’ol (Job 33:14-18). According to verse 14, even when God speaks once or twice, people do not listen. Now God has spoken to Nebuchadnezzar twice thus far in Dani’el: in Chapters 2 and 3. According to Job 33:15, God speaks through dreams and visions, which corresponds with the description of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Dani’el 2 (to see link click Aw – The King’s Dream). According to Job 33:16, ADONAI instructs mankind. According to verse 17, He opposes pride. The reason for His intervention is given in verse 18: He must act against a person’s pride in order to help the sinner preserve their soul. The events described in Dani’el Chapter 4 illustrate in practice the principles outlined in Job.151
As far as Nebuchadnezzar’s pride is concerned, Chapter 4 recounts his extraordinary transformation to an animal-like creature, roaming in the fields, before being restored to his former splendor. His insanity was a mental disorder known as lycanthropy, a rare psychiatric syndrome that involves a delusion that the affected person has transformed into a non-human animal. It was well known in pre-scientific times, but is not referred to today under that name. This is a unique chapter in the Bible because it’s an official autobiographical document (except for verses 28-33), prepared by the king of Babylon and distributed throughout his kingdom. That Nebuchadnezzar should openly admit his pride, his temporary insanity, and his beastly behavior, and then give glory to the God of Isra’el for his recovery, is indeed a remarkable thing. He learned an important lesson the hard way just as people are learning it the hard way today: Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall (see Proverbs Co – Pride Goes Before a Fall).152
There are five “acts” in this extraordinary drama. This chapter, verses 1 through 37 can be broken down in chiastic fashion, resulting in a mirror effect as the ideas are “reflected” back and forth in the passage: A to A, B to B, with C being the climax of the chiasm.
A. Agitation: The King’s Dream – 4:4-18 (Bu)
B. Interpretation: The King’s Danger – 4:19-26 (Bv)
C. Exhortation: The King’s Decision – 4:27 (Bw)
B. Humiliation: The King’s Discipline – 4:28-33 (Bx)
A. Redemption: The King’s Deliverance – 4:34-37 and 1-3 (By)
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