The dream has been interpreted and the warning has been given. Now Nebuchadnezzar relays what actually happened.
Just as God said
Read Daniel 4:28
• Why does God’s fulfilment come when Nebuchadnezzar says the words of verse 30?
• What is repeated in the statement from heaven that we’ve seen already?
God speaks His words of judgment at a moment when Nebuchadnezzar is puffed up with himself and his own importance, and so is far away from acknowledging God to be God.
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TIME OUT
Nebuchadnezzar’s animal-like state will last “seven times” (v 16, 25, 32). It’s most likely that it means seven years, but some numbers in Daniel are symbolic and it’s possible that this is as well (although if it is, I don’t know what it is symbolic of!)
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The great acknowledgement
Read Daniel 4:34
• What is significant about the phrase “raised [his] eyes towards heaven”?
• What does Nebuchadnezzar now acknowledge about God?
At the time that God has predicted, Nebuchadnezzar lifts his eyes in acknowledgement of God and his sanity is restored. He then pours out a most wonderful hymn of praise (so wonderful, in fact, which we’ll look at it more closely in our next study).
The great restoration
Read Daniel 4:36
• What now happens to Nebuchadnezzar?
• What does he continue to acknowledge?
Credit where credit is due—the king did not turn his back on God once God had given him back his status and riches.
• In what way is the last line in many ways a personal testimony?
Nebuchadnezzar seems finally to have learned his lesson. He seems now to personally bow before God, to praise and exalt God, to acknowledge God as his God.
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APPLY
Here’s what Nebuchadnezzar did in light of what he learned (v 34, 37):
• praise God
• honour God
• glorify God
• exalt God
How you do these things in your life? Why not choose one of these actions and focus on doing it more for the rest of this month?
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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.
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