Daniel 4 - What God did while Nebuchadnezzar slept

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, threw Daniel's three friends into a blast furnace when they refused to worship his statue. When God rescued them, unharmed, the king declared that anyone speaking ill of their God would be torn "limb from limb." (Daniel 3:29, New Living Translation, 2015)

Yet Nebuchadnezzar was still an unjust and cruel leader who personally had no use for this God. One night, he had a troubling dream. A huge tree covered much of the earth. Its fruit fed the world; its shade protected wildlife. Then an angel from heaven decreed that the tree be cut down, and only a stump would be left.

The message compared the tree stump to a person:
" ...Now let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the wild animals among the plants of the field. 16 For seven periods of time, let him have the mind of a wild animal instead of the mind of a human." (Daniel 4:15–16, NLT)

Nebuchadnezzar, knowing that Daniel had insight from God, asked him to interpret the dream (vv.8-9). Daniel explained that Nebuchadnezzar, king of a vast empire, would be cut down, "...driven from human society, ...you will live in the fields with the wild animals. You will eat grass like a cow, and you will be drenched with the dew of heaven." (vv.25-26)

At the same time, Daniel pleaded:
"King Nebuchadnezzar, please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper." (v.27)

God gave him a whole year to repent but a year later Nebuchadnezzar was still bragging that his power had built the capital of his empire, "to display my majestic splendor." (v.30) That's when the dream was fulfilled. "He lived this way until his hair was as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails were like birds’ claws." (v.33) 

When his sanity was finally restored, he concluded:
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud.” (v.37)

What was God doing while Nebuchadnezzar slept? He was working to bring a king to humility and repentance. He was bringing justice and mercy to the poor in the kingdom of Babylon. He was reclaiming His own glory.

God, guard us from self-centeredness and pride. When you warn us, prompt us with humility to respond to your warnings. Give us boldness and courage to warn leaders of injustice, especially to the poor. In Jesus' name, Amen.