| Subject: Daniel 4 vss 10-17 Post #20 |
Author:
Hillbilly
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Date Posted: 20:55:54 05/31/09 Sun
Daniel 4:10-17 Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. 11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: 12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it. 13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven; 14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches: 15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots 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 in the grass of the earth: 16 Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him. 17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
As we read further of Nebuchadnezzar's dream we begin to see why he would be disturbed at the dream.. In his first dream the head of the statue was his self. Our attention is drawn to a great tree. This tree was huge in height and breadth. It's top touched heaven and it's breadth reached to all the earth. It's evidently fed man, beast and fowl although man is not mention per se but is implied by the term "all flesh".
Nebuchadnezzar was probably struck by this awe inspiring sight up to this point. He possibly even thought, "that tree is like my own majesty and glory". It is not the only time a tree has been used allegorically to represent a man or men in the Bible. In Ezekiel we find the ASSYRIAN (vs. 3). who could only be Satan in it's references to Eden in the chapter. We have in Judges 9 some contenders for being king over Israel represented as various trees with the bramble or thorn representing Abimelech who usurped God's chosen judges to reign over Israel. He reigned 3 yrs. over Israel and is called the "bramble king". By reading the characteristics of the trees we can see something in the life or influence of the one likened to the tree. Nebuchadnezzar in truth was the one who controlled all in the nation as to food supply, shelter and comfort of the subjects. It was system by which all depended on the king.
The next thing that Nebuchadnezzar sees brings great apprehension to him as he sees a heavenly being descend from heaven and command that the tree be cut down and then it's branches cut up. Not satisfied with this destruction the angel commands to scatter it's leaves and fruit leaving nothing for the fowls of the air nor the beasts of the field. If there was one bright spot in the dream it was that the tree was to be cut to the stump leaving it's roots intact. It is common knowledge that most trees will sprout again if the roots are not damaged. This probably was not lost on Nebuchadnezzar. To reinforce the knowledge the tree was to sprout again was the period of time associated with the vision; "till seven times". Seven is the number of completion in the Bible and we may assume the time is seven years. This will match other places in the Bible where a time is one year (Dan. 7:25, 12:7, Rev. 12:14). As seven years is the total time allowed for the tribulation period we can assume this vision of Nebuchadnezzar's will have future application during the tribulation. Nebuchadnezzar in some ways is a type of the coming anti-Christ.
It is interesting that the bands placed around the stump to "preserve" it are brass and iron. Iron in particular is associated with the spirit world. In particular the devil's bunch. If you remember back in chapter two we looked at the statement "And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay." (2:43) Tubalcain, of the line of Cain, was an artificer of brass and iron. He was the first metal worker and the word artificer carries with it the meaning of a skilled craftsman. Brass and iron, many times, has a negative connotation. In Leviticus 26:19 God warned Israel of the penalty of continued sin: "And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass:" The brass and iron therefore may represent the preservation as being from the evil spirit world, at least in it' prophetic sense relating to the end times and tribulation period.
The statement Nebuchadnezzar heard concerning the person the tree represented must have brought much consternation to him for the angel said "let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth: Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him. " Nebuchadnezzar must have suspected greatly the dream was aimed at himself and not another. Again we have reference that can be applied to the end times. The "beast" of Revelation is a man with a beasts heart. He and his kingdom are represented by beasts. (Rev. 13:1-3, Dan. 8:1-13, Dan. 7:4-9)
Finally Nebuchadnezzar is informed in his dream where the dream and it's meaning originated from. " This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men." If it came from heaven and not from something Nebuchadnezzar ate and didn't sit well on his stomach then he knew that the dream did not bode well for him. He had already seen much evidence that God was working in his kingdom and specifically through the Hebrews he had brought into captivity so it was with great apprehension that he was calling for help in understanding the dream. That God rules in the kingdom of men and sets in authority the basest of men should give us cause to reflect on our present situation in the world. We wonder how God can tolerate some of the leaders in the world but from the text we may assume that they are ruling not only by permission of God but by appointment. This is a scary thought because in our limited understanding we see despicable people and think God could not have a part in this. We need to realize that God is sovereign and as such places people in authority over nations according to the spiritual condition of that nation. If it is evil it will get an evil ruler. If it is God fearing and for the most part righteous in it's actions God will give Davids, Joshuas and Hezekiahs. It's religious men will be as the prophets and God will bless abundantly. For an excellent perspective on this just read Leviticus 26. It lays out the promises for those who obey and for those who don't.
Basically it boils down to us as a nation receiving what we deserve. With everything falling apart as it is it would behoove us to examine ourselves and see from where we have fallen and return to the "old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein." (Jer. 6:16)
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