OUR FATHER WHO IS SOVEREIGN OVER ALL NATIONS (95)

Chapter 4 in the book of Daniel is an extraordinary chapter that is the personal testimony written by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, about his encounter with the Almighty God of Israel.

The chapter starts with the king saying that it was his pleasure to announce to the nations and peoples of every language, the amazing signs and wonders that the Most High God had done for Him. 

He then recounted a frightening night vision that he had while lying in bed and that he had sought the interpretation of the dream  from the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners but they could not solve the mystery.

King Nebuchadnezzar then described how Daniel, also known by the name Beltechazzar,  finally came into his presence and in chapter 4 verse 9, recorded this excerpt of his testimony;

I said, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me.

Nebuchadnezzar, in this verse, revealed that  Daniel, a prophet of the God of Israel, was highly regarded among the Babylonians.

Daniel had been elevated to the rank of Chief Magician and it was known that the Spirit of God was in him because there were no mysteries that were not laid bare to him by the Spirit's power.

The king thus confidently entrusted Daniel to interprete the dream for him.

Daniel, knowing that the dream was about the king himself, was greatly perplexed about telling the king what the dream meant but the king encouraged him to speak plainly of its meaning and so Daniel explained that the dream spoke of king's fall from his lofty position in his kingdom  down to being among the animals, drenched in dew and eating hay like an ox. 

Daniel also revealed that the expulsion of Nebuchadnezzar from among humans would be for 7 years and that the Lord would restore his sanity and restore him to his position as king.

It was after the astonishing prophecy came to pass and Nebuchadnezzar was expelled from governance due to insanity and then restored to his throne over his kingdom when he recovered,  that he wrote and widely distributed his testimony of the greatness of the sovereign God whom he called the King of heaven.

The Lord had promoted his prophet Daniel in the land of Babylon and demonstrated the greatness of the power of God through him such that the name of the Lord was glorified before all people.

Amen.