NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S DREAM OF A TREE
King Nebuchadnezzar,
To the peoples, nations and men of every language, who live in all the world:
May you prosper greatly!
(2) It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.
(3) How great are his signs,
how mighty his wonders!
His kingdom is an eternal kingdom;
his dominion endures from generation to generation.
(4) I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. (5) I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in my bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. (6) So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. (7) When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. (8) Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)
(9) 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. (10) These are the visions I saw while lying in my bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous.
(11) The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. (12) Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, and the birds of the air lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed.
(11) The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. (12) Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, and the birds of the air lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed.
(13) "In the visions I saw while lying in my bed, I looked and there before me was a messenger, a holy one, coming down from heaven. (14) He called in a loud voice: 'Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches. (15) But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field.
" ' Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. (16) Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times pass by for him.
(17) " 'The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone He wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men.'
(18)This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you."
LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE COMMENTARY
Although Nebuchadnezzar praised Daniel's God, he still did not believe on Him completely or submit to Him alone. Many people attend church and use spiritual language, but they really don't believe on God or obey Him. Profession doesn't always mean possession. How do your beliefs match with your obedience?
( Me: You remember in 1 Samuel 15:22 where Samuel told King Saul, "Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. (23) For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.")
( Me: You remember in 1 Samuel 15:22 where Samuel told King Saul, "Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. (23) For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.")
LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE COMMENTARY (cont'd)
One of the most difficult lessons to learn is that God is sovereign. He is above all of those who are above us. He limits the power and authority of all the government, business, and religious leaders in the world. Those who live in freedom and with a relatively high degree of autonomy find this difficult to understand. While we may feel as though we are free to do what we please. God is sovereign over all of our plans and desires.
What are your thoughts?
You are also invited to visit Oma at http://omaslife.blogspot.com, http://omashealth.blogspot.com, and http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment