The Daniel Files: 05 – Who Is The Great One?

(Reflections and notes on Daniel 4 – the series so far had an introduction before considering the way Daniel and his friends settled in the strange land. This was followed by explorations in how the righteous emerged from a ridiculous situation. Previously the trial by fiery furnace was contemplated.)

Greatness. At one stage many boasted that the sun never set on the British Empire. Greatness. For a number of decades the United States held a significant amount of influence in world affairs thanks to their input in the resolution of the second World War and their subsequent economic strength. Greatness. Whether it was the ancient Alexander’s exploits that led to him having that as his name centuries ago or modern allusions to it in the industries of sport, entertainment, art as well as politics. When we hear about greatness there is a requirement for our eyes to look up and consider the magnitude of the greatness. Our minds are to be filled with awe at just what was accomplished by the individual, the group, the company and/or the nation. Likewise we consider what greatness might mean in our smaller context – that competitive element in the workplace to climb the ladder. That self-assurance of recognition for key targets reached in the workplace. The acclaim received for excellence in the given field. Whatever the context, there is something that lifts the inner man at the thought of doing and being whatever can be described as great.

That tree, Your Majesty, is you. For you have grown strong and great; your greatness reaches up to heaven, and your rule to the ends of the earth.

Daniel 4:22 (NLT)

Here in this episode of the life of Daniel, we come across Nebuchadnezzar again. Here is a man that was great and knew it very well. His kingdom was vast, his rule was absolute, he could strike terror into the hearts of many by his decrees and his military exploits established him as one to be feared.

This great Nebuchadnezzzar, however, had already expreienced a number of encounters with the God of one of the peoples he had conquered. The upper echelons of his administration featured men who had revealed the greatness of Yahweh. Greatness in granting divine wisdom to perceive both the nature and meaning of dreams. Greatness even in defiance to his orders when three of his officials survived the fiery flames of a furnace without even smelling of smoke. Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged this God after these occasions – acknowledged this God, but clearly didn’t seriously consider claims to this God as genunely overruling even his mighty throne.

Consider the three encounters of the divine kind that Nebuchadnezzar has as recorded in Daniel. It can be seen to be about him. It can also be seen to be about how God rules even in circumstances where God’s people may feel somewhat defeated. That which is happening is not beyond the scope of God. That which is taking place is not a mystery or surprise to Him. Those who are established as great are there as He allows. And the same One who allows greatness in a season can just as easily bring the end of greatness.

This is what sets up another clash of the Kingdoms addressing the question: who rules? Babylon, unlike Egypt of the days of Moses, was presenting itself as the area of rule that looked to assimilate peoples – not enslave them. In doing so, however, the Babylonian rule was evident in people being renamed after Babylonian standards and gods. You had to work hard to maintain your identity in a rule that sought to impose their identity over you. That was an expression of the greatness of Babylon and a refelction of the desire of the greatness of Nebuchadnezzar. Yet now even this greatness was going to be challenged once more by the God who could disturb the great Nebuchadnezzar in his sleep.

What’s fascinating about the dream that bothers the king is how there’s a tree described in the usual natural ways and then midway through it, the tree is now a man who is cut off from his greatness for a total cycle.

God has a lesson for this great one to learn. It’s remarkable that God should inform Nebuchadnezzar should get this lesson from God, because it is not the case that every person caught up with their own pride gets to learn this lesson.

God’s mercy to Nebuchadnezzar is all remarkable. God was not going to wipe the king out. God was going to use this foreign, heathen, polytheistic tyrant as a symbol of His greatness. He would do so as well for His people to observe and reaffirm their trust and hope in Him as the one who rules over all. There is little reason to believe that the main powers of today are motivated by a desire to do what is pleasing to God. It is evident that at best those who put their trust in God have their beliefs downplayed in preference for other ‘pragmatic’ values. The underlying desire to retain the sense of greatness without giving glory to God is not subtle at all. Yet even in those circumstances the desire of those who are motivated by the rule of God on the earth should still be for an expression of the mercy and compassion of God to break through to those key decision-makers. That desire for the expression of who God is can help them likewise to learn that it’s not the electorate, the manifesto, the charismatic leader or the compelling marketing campaign that sees rulers rise and rulers fall.

In this scenario, God is also reinforcing what He’s revealed to Daniel through the other dream that Nebuchadnezzar had. Namely that the kingdoms of the world will have their season and time, but there awaits the ultimate kingdom of God, promised to David, that Daniel and his kinsman could still hope for. That Kingdom is one that all those who have heard the good news are also living in anticipation of realising. That hope is enabled by this episode of scripture where God highlights again who is really running the operation. As He runs it in that situation, so the culmination He has in store is something we can still hope in, however dire the situation may be now.

Don’t forget Daniel’s role in this.

King Nebuchadnezzar, please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper.

Daniel 4:27 (NLT)

Not only is he there to interpret the dream. He uses the opportunity to offer counsel to the King. He doesn’t have to, he can allow events to transpire as they are destined. After all, he’s more than aware of the rash temperament of this King. He’s one of those who are a result of this king’s spread tentacles of power in relocating folks from their homeland to enrich his homeland. Rather than harbouring ill will or a reluctance to engage with someone that others might consider to be rather tyrannical, Daniel reaches out and appeals to the King. Daniel honours this King in the hope that he will learn from the Most High.

What’s also impressive about the appeal is the underlying bravery of it. It’s bad enough delivering an interpretation to the King that leads him to being a beast. Now Daniel even confronts the King about that track record of evil and a call to repentance. Practical too in terms of what it looks like in the treatment of the poor. It really is remarkable that Daniel uses the opportunity not to rebuke the King but appeal to him even in the hope of putting off what has already been decreed. Today, when presented with those who are abusive in their power it is easy to be dismissive and cynical about the fate of those individuals. What would it be to at least have the heart that hopes that there is redemption available for them?

The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.

Daniel 4:17 (ESV)

There is something about that last line. God sets over to rule even the lowliest of men. That term of reference reminds me of a king that would be established to rule the world. A king marked out for His lowly approach. A king whose rule was not established in pomp and splendour through great military conquests. A king whose rule was not about Him pursuing the appeal of many and acclaim of all. A king whose rule was marked by humility, taking on the form of a servant, even washing the feet of those who called him Lord.

Whereas Nebuchadnezzar had to learn because of his pride, this king humbled himself to the point of death on the cross. This King humbled Himself and was ridiculed, scorned, rejected and betrayed. Where Nebuchadnezzar had his glory restored to him, this King rose triumphantly from the dead defeating it in His wake and now awaits the final completion of things in His rule. Those who acknowledge His kingdom now learn from Him how to be humble and meek and operate in His authority reflecting His majesty in peacemaking efforts.

This kind of greatness is not the hallmark for what passes as great to many now, but when you think about how great God is and how great it is to be a part of His eternal kingdom – this greatness through humility is the only way to go.

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Daniel 4:37 (ESV)

This episode starts and ends with praise from Nebuchadnezzar to the true great One. Let’s hope and pray that others will likewise have that experience before that time when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God.

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Questions from Daniel 4

What does this chapter tell you about the character of God?

What do you learn from Daniel’s approach to Nebuchadnezzar?

Why does Daniel appeal to Nebuchadnezzar to repent, even though he knows what is to happen is established?

How does King Jesus differ from King Nebuchadnezzar?

Where do you see the problem of pride affecting your life and how can you deal with it?

How would you urge someone you know who is prone to be proud to avoid it?

Considering some of the marks of God’s eternal Kingdom are humility, meekness and compassion to others how can they be practiced in your sphere of influence?

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden