Daniel Interprets a Second Dream

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Chapter 4 records another dream that King Nebuchadnezzar had. He had conquered Egypt and had completed the enlargement of his empire. He had settled down in his palace to enjoy the fruits of his labors. He dozed off and had a dream. The dream caused him much concern. He called in his "wise men", but they were unable to interpret the dream. He then called in Daniel.

In the dream, he saw a tree that was very high. It's top reached to heaven and it was visible to the whole earth. Its leaves were fair and its fruit was abundant and everyone did eat of it. As the king watched, he saw a Holy One come down from heaven and order the tree chopped down. Its branches were chopped off, the leaves were stripped from the branches and the fruit was scattered. The stump along with the roots, were left. Then the stump was banded with iron and bronze. It became, then, as the beasts of the earth. It's mind changed from that of a man to that of a beast and 7 years passed.

When Daniel heard the dream, he was much alarmed. He interpreted the dream as follows:

1. The tree was Nebuchadnezzar, the king.
2. The Holy One was God the Most High.
3. The cutting down of the tree represented the destruction of Nebuchadnezzar. He would be made to eat with the beasts of the earth for 7 years.
4. The stump allowed to stand was an offer of mercy. Repent and perhaps God would allow you peace of mind.

Within a year, the king went mad. He ate grass like an ox. His hair grew long and his nails were like bird claws. At the end of the 7 years, he lifted up his eyes unto heaven and phrased and honored the God of Daniel and his reason returned to him.

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