THE KING IS HUMBLED.
Many years later King Nebuchadnezzar had another dream. He called all his magicians and counsellors to interpret the dream. When they couldn`t tell the king what his dream meant, Daniel was called and the king told him the dream.
“I was looking and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great. The tree grew and became strong: and it could be seen to the ends of the earth. Its leaves were lovely, and 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 it branches, and all flesh fed from it.” (Dan. 4: 10 - 12)
Then the king told of a holy one from heaven saying to cut down the tree but leave the stump and roots, and let him graze with the beasts, and his heart to be changed to an animal for seven years.
Daniel was concerned regarding the interpretation but still explained it to the king. He said that the tree was symbolic of the king and his greatness reaching to the ends of the earth. Then Daniel told of the holy one proclaiming that the king would be as the beasts of the field for seven years –
“till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” (Dan. 4: 25)
Daniel then counsels the king to turn away from his sins and iniquities by being righteous and showing mercy to the poor.
The king listened but did not humble himself. A year later as he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honour of my majesty?” (Dan. 4: 30)
Hardly had he spoken than a voice from heaven said that the kingdom has departed from you! That very hour the word was fulfilled and the king was driven from men and ate grass like an animal. His hair grew like eagle` feathers and his nails like bird`s claws.
At the end of the time the king lifted up his eyes to heaven and his understanding returned. He blessed the Most High and praised and honoured Him who lives forever.
God revealed His great mercy to those who humble themselves.
Many years later King Nebuchadnezzar had another dream. He called all his magicians and counsellors to interpret the dream. When they couldn`t tell the king what his dream meant, Daniel was called and the king told him the dream.
“I was looking and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great. The tree grew and became strong: and it could be seen to the ends of the earth. Its leaves were lovely, and 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 it branches, and all flesh fed from it.” (Dan. 4: 10 - 12)
Then the king told of a holy one from heaven saying to cut down the tree but leave the stump and roots, and let him graze with the beasts, and his heart to be changed to an animal for seven years.
Daniel was concerned regarding the interpretation but still explained it to the king. He said that the tree was symbolic of the king and his greatness reaching to the ends of the earth. Then Daniel told of the holy one proclaiming that the king would be as the beasts of the field for seven years –
“till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” (Dan. 4: 25)
Daniel then counsels the king to turn away from his sins and iniquities by being righteous and showing mercy to the poor.
The king listened but did not humble himself. A year later as he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honour of my majesty?” (Dan. 4: 30)
Hardly had he spoken than a voice from heaven said that the kingdom has departed from you! That very hour the word was fulfilled and the king was driven from men and ate grass like an animal. His hair grew like eagle` feathers and his nails like bird`s claws.
At the end of the time the king lifted up his eyes to heaven and his understanding returned. He blessed the Most High and praised and honoured Him who lives forever.
God revealed His great mercy to those who humble themselves.