Interpretation of 1st dream—2nd year of reign

Getting Nebuchadnezzar’s Attention!

Deliverance of the three young men—5th year

Now a new

warning—years later

Main lesson of the Main lesson of the chapter is the chapter is the sovereignty sovereignty of YHWH over the greatest of YHWH over the greatest sovereign in the sovereign in the world— world— vs. 17, 22, 24-26, 30-32, vs. 17, 22, 24-26, 30-32, 34--37. 34--37.

The chapter begins and ends The chapter begins and ends with praise of God.with praise of God.

inclusioinclusio

Compare Compare 4:1-3 & 4:34-37 4:1-3 & 4:34-37

Praise of God 1-3Praise of God 1-3

Narration of dream Narration of dream 4-184-18

Interpretation and Interpretation and fulfillment 19-33 fulfillment 19-33

Praise of God 34-Praise of God 34-3737

S S t t r r u u c c t t u u r r ee

Purpose of dream—to teach all people that the

Most High God (3:26) is sovereign over

the affairs of humankind.

“He would not merely live where they lived,

but as they lived.”

Wood

Nebuchadnezzar needed Nebuchadnezzar needed to learn the difference to learn the difference

between between ownershipownership and and stewardship.stewardship.

Though the mills of God Though the mills of God grind slowlygrind slowly

Yet they grind exceeding Yet they grind exceeding small;small;

Though with patience He Though with patience He stands waiting,stands waiting,

With exactness grinds He all.With exactness grinds He all.

“When he became proud and took credit for divine grace, God

humbled him—not to destroy him but to deliver him, to make of him a

humble and grateful worshipper. Humility was ultimately God’s way

of exalting the king. What appeared to be his destruction became the

means of his deliverance.”

Constable

Then a king in kingly glory Such as earth has never known,

Shall assume the righteous scepter, Claim and wear the holy crown.

Then a blasted world shall brighten Underneath a bluer sphere, And a softer, gentler sunshine,

Shed its healing splendor there.

7 hideous years on earth, and…

“Even as Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged God’s

sovereign, endless existence and rule, and His irresistible

will and power, his sanity returned to him.”

Constable

God is God is sovereign.sovereign.

Conclusion…Conclusion…Peril of Peril of pride.pride.

All will be All will be humbled…humbled…

all will all will bow.bow.