Introduction

Chapter 4 is a tract written by Daniel, as it was dictated by the king. It is a description of the marvelous conversion of true faith. A terrible chastisement lead to his re-generation: lycanthropy, monomania, thinking of himself as an animal. Written in Aramaic, it is a strange mixture of heathen ideas and the explanation of the true God. Not only wrote it, but circulated it to the whole existence of his domination.

The Wonder of God's Goodness to a Cruel, Heathen King.

In Daniel 4:2, a heathen outside the pale of the covenant, Israel, yet not outside the pale of God's mercy. The Gentiles also compare Jonah to Nineveh.

1) Chapters 4:1-3, how will he speak? Will God be good to any a man like he who speaks to the first and greatest monarch of the times of the Gentiles? This infinitude greatly describes his faith.

2) Something new had shown this opening of heaven. He would tell all of the public--Armenians, Syria, Egypt, Persian Gulf, Elamites, Mesopotamians. He did not belong to the silent religions, he belonged to the community. There is more light in creation than I had supposed. Let me tell you what wizardry it works in color shadows and substance.

3) He begins his testimony and is overwhelmed by its grandeur--compare Paul in Romans 11:33. Imagination cannot contain the Revelations: touching its inexpressible, is found in God, the only true God--the infinite. So all religious exaltation is overpowering, unutterable delineation: real religion simply defies delineation: we cannot measure God. The very confrontation with God, enter you into the inexpressible great bellows of wonder and excitement rolls through our souls. Into the sanctuary of the unutterable. In this world, we see all there is: test tubes, formulas, how it comes to them, life that would reach heaven, be fed on a handful of moon dust. Dull, dreary facts of physical science; covert theology.

The Strangeness of the Dream

In Daniel 4:4, "at rest". The enemies are subdued. He is not a general now. He is surrounded by the palaces, the cities, the monuments; protected by fortification, armies unequaled, wanting nothing. The golden goblet is filled with wine. Every corner echoes of music. Every palace has fortifications--he has pillowed his head on down--expected to see the risings of glory and wealth and splendor.

In Daniel 4:5, "saw a dream and he was afraid." He "saw", not to open with language, part of him--yet outside--afraid. Nebuchadnezzar not accustomed to fear. He had iron chariots, horsemen, a whole empire in defense. But dreams.

- How was he afraid of a dream? Then the reassurance of God. Send lightning--there are devices to deflect it. Send the whirlwind--a granite masonry. Send the earthquake--you can move with mobile seismograph.
- But the dream, there is little of the brass pots:

• Abimelech.
• chief butler and baker.
• Pharaoh.
• Midianite.
• Pilate’s wife.

In Daniel 4:10-18, the great towering tree--the size. They called it the "tree of paradise." It had leaves and fruit and shadow. And then there was the watcher. The Holy One from heaven who cried, "cut it down" ...was utterly destroyed; all that was left was a stump. In Daniel 4:15, they had to put a band on it for protection of the root. Since it was cut down, since you do not want it to grow again like a cedar, cypress, or fur tree; but fur tree will grow. In Daniel 4:16, seven times--definite time period--years. Daniel 4:17, let all the living know that God rules.

The Saying of the Preacher

In Daniel 4:19, Nebuchadnezzar was "astounded, dazed; Daniel had never seen him so troubled, bewildered, dismayed. His voice altered, his countenance changed, speechless. A message to deliver, to pronounce doomed upon a life. What to do? What should any preacher do? Compare Paul before Drusilla and Felix, they were reprobates, telling of the judgment to come. Jesus taught in unpopular words--it kindled wrath, indignation, expelled the penalty from the Word of God--fill up the pit of hell with flowers.

But Daniel will speak the truth. It may mean the lions den, the fiery furnace. Why do we not follow his example? Everyday we seek to take out of the message, all that is offensive. Because saying to flatter and vanity, pander to human taste and don't tell the half dreams. Many the process will proceed. They'll tell you that you'll go to heaven anyway, at least by an angel. But this Daniel--this slave, this prisoner--God's messenger.

- Compare Nathan to David.
- Compare Stephen to the Sanhedrin.

The Heart of the Beast

In Daniel 4:25, Lycanthropy, a monomania deranged in one area. Boanthopy (thinks himself a cow or a bull) and Avianthropy (feels himself to be a bird). Known through the centuries.