It’s round three for Nebuchadnezzar. He’s been taught twice before that the God of Daniel and friends is the true God—the one who can reveal and save like no other. And, by the end of this next episode, he’ll have come face to face with God personally.
Approaching the chapter
Read Daniel 4:1
• How is the style of this chapter different to the previous ones?
• How is the content of the first few verses different in tone to the start of the previous three?
This chapter is a letter, and so the structure is different to the story-telling style of the previous chapters. In this letter Nebuchadnezzar is relating a series of events—see verse 2 again: “It is my pleasure to tell you…”.
This is Nebuchadnezzar’s personal testimony of God’s dealings with him. It’s much more positive than him ransacking God’s temple (chapter 1), struggling with dreams (chapter 2), or setting up God-defying statues (chapter 3).
• How did he feel about telling others (v 2)?
The message of the chapter
Read Daniel 4:1
• What has Nebuchadnezzar discovered about God?
• Compare verse 3 with verses 34-35. What would it mean for a king like him to say these words? What is he accepting?
Nebuchadnezzar tells us the message of his story right up front, before we read the actual story! And the message is that God is the great and mighty wonder worker, the one with true authority and power; and that God is the one whose
kingdom will endure for ever and ever.
This chapter is the story of a king being humbled so that he discovers that God is truly God—it’s the story of a king taking his place at the feet of the true King.
.........................................
APPLY
• How easily and regularly do the words of verse 3 come to your lips?
• Do you see it as your “pleasure to tell” others about who God is and what He's done for you?
• How do these verses encourage you as a follower of God today?
.........................................
This devotional is taken from Explore—a daily Bible-reading devotional from the good book company which enables you to engage with Scripture and which will encourage, equip and inspire you to live for Christ. Explore features contributions from pastors such as Dr Timothy Keller, Mike McKinley and Tim Chester.
Click here and enter the code bstexplore57 when you check out to get the current quarter’s Explore for $5.84, a 10% discount.
Click here and enter bstexploresub when you check out to buy a year’s worth at 25% off—just $16.
Keep a record of what God is teaching you with "my bible" at biblestudytools.com
