Who is the author of Daniel 4? Daniel 4:1
NOTE: Chapter 4 is Nebuchadnezzar's testimony,
the story of how he found God. Evidence that he had finally experienced
a real change of heart is the fact that he tells us all the sad details
of his resistance to God.
What was Nebuchadnezzar pleased to tell us
about? Daniel 4:2, 3 To whom did Nebuchadnezzar first turn to
interpret his dream? Daniel 4:4-6 Could they interpret the dream this time? Daniel 4:7
NOTE: In Chapter 2 the wise men could not tell
Nebuchadnezzar what his dream was. Now, they are given the dream, but
they still cannot tell the interpretation to the king. With each new
revelation of the true God, the wise men become more stubborn in their
rebellion against Him, while in contrast Nebuchadnezzar yields.
Who does Nebuchadnezzar finally call in? Daniel 4:8, 9 Fill in the blanks regarding the vision that
Nebuchadnezzar related to Daniel in Daniel 4:10-18 .
Before me stood a The tree grew down
the tree and trim Let the Let him be Let him live with the Let his mind be changed from that of a Till
What was the purpose of the dream? Daniel 4:17
So that the living may know that the Most High
is
NOTE: Only when people allow God to rule their
lives are they truly converted.
THE
INTERPRETATION How did Daniel respond when he heard the
dream? Daniel 4:19
His thoughts
NOTE: Daniel did not gloat that a calamity this
dream clearly revealed was about to fall upon Nebuchadnezzar, but
showed the real concern of a true servant of God. Daniel knew this was
a difficult message for Nebuchadnezzar. He knew that the king could
have him killed for bringing such bad news.
Who did Daniel say the tree represented? Daniel 4:20-22 What was to happen to Nebuchadnezzar during
these seven years? Daniel 4:23-25
You will be
NOTE: Nebuchadnezzar--world ruler--was to
behave like a dumb animal.
What did God hope Nebuchadnezzar would learn
through this experience of insanity? Daniel 4:25
That the Most High is
NOTE: It is God who sets up kings; it is God
who dethrones kings. Nebuchadnezzar must learn the basic gospel truth.
He must be willing for God to rule his life. God is vitally interested
in people and wants them to recognize Him as the rightful ruler of
their hearts.
What counsel did Daniel give Nebuchadnezzar? Daniel 4:27
your
sins by doing what is right, and your
NOTE: Only by total commitment of his life to
God would he be able to avert the coming calamity. He must acknowledge
God as the rightful ruler of his life.
INSANITY AND
REFORMATION What happened to Nebuchadnezzar one year
later? Daniel 4:28-33
Immediately what had been said about
Nebuchadnezzar was
NOTE: God patiently waited one full year,
hoping that Nebuchadnezzar would respond. Sometimes people sink to the
depths before they recognize their need. This is what happened to
Nebuchadnezzar. The prophecy was fulfilled to the letter and the king
was insane for seven years.
Who did Nebuchadnezzar bless when his sanity
returned seven year later? Daniel 4:34 What are the last words of Nebuchadnezzar's
testimony? Daniel 4:35-37
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar,
NOTE: It took over thirty years, but at long
last Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged the true God. No longer did
Nebuchadnezzar exalt himself; instead he exalted and praised the God of
heaven. Once people recognize God as the rightful ruler of their lives,
they have true peace.
GOD SAVES
PEOPLE TODAY What God did for the ancient Babylonian king,
Nebuchadnezzar, He wants to do for men and women today. God is eager to
save people now, just as He was to save Nebuchadnezzar. Sometimes He
has to permit us to go down to the very gutter before He can lift us up
and redeem us. But He will allow whatever needs to happen in order to
reach us with the truth of the gospel. God did not save Nebuchadnezzar
because he was good. He was a proud and arrogant ruler. Yet God loved
him and looked for the fruits of grace He extended to him. Sometimes
people feel that God cannot save them because of what they have done.
But the story of Nebuchadnezzar ought to encourage every one that God
can save people in spite of their past experiences.
How does God save people today? Ephesians 2:8, 9
For it is by
NOTE: Grace is the unmerited favor of God.
People do not deserve it; they do not earn it. It comes as a free gift
through faith in Jesus.
What does the apostle Paul call salvation? Romans 6:23
The
NOTE: Salvation is free. People cannot earn it
or work for it. They can only accept it.
What must a person do to accept the free gift
of eternal life offered by Jesus? Acts 16:30, 31
in
the Lord Jesus, and you will be
NOTE: The word 'believe' means to have implicit
trust, confidence, and faith in Jesus. It is not referring to mere
intellectual assent. People must, like Nebuchadnezzar, allow God to
fully control their lives.
What are four steps that people take in
coming to Jesus?
that
God loves them. John 3:16 Let the Holy Spirit lead them to Acts 11:18 their
sins to Jesus. 1 John 1:9 their
heart's door and Revelation 3:20
When people take these four steps and invite
Jesus into their lives, will their prayer be answered? Mark 11:24
Whatever you ask for in prayer,
NOTE: When people in simple faith pray and
invite the Lord Jesus to come into their hearts, to rule their lives,
they can know that He has come in. The Bible says it happens when
people believe it. Not because they are good, not because they feel
something special, but because Jesus has promised to come in when He is
invited to come into their hearts.
A PRAYER OF
ACCEPTANCE Dear God, I recognize that I am a sinner. I
have been trying to rule my own live. I have failed miserably. I need
Jesus in my life. I know that You love me, that You have sent Jesus to
die for me. I invite You to come into my heart. Thank You for coming
in.
Amen.
