“The tree you saw, which grew and became strong, so that its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth, whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which beasts of the field found shade, and in whose branches the birds of the heavens lived – it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong. Your greatness has grown and reaches to heaven, and your dominion to the ends of the earth. And because the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field, and let him be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven periods of time
pass over Him.” Daniel 4:20-23
It is time for Daniel to use the special gift God gave him many years ago. King Nebuchadnezzar received a second dream from God and
God has his interpreter at the ready. After Daniel hears the dream he is dismayed over what God is saying but he collects his thoughts and is ready to share the truth with the king. (That is always Daniel’s hallmark – he tells the truth no matter how difficult it was.)
The tree you saw Daniel repeats the first part of the dream he heard from the king. After repeating the majesty of the tree that the king saw in the dream, Daniel gives the king the rest of the interpretation.
It is you, O king, who have grown and become strong Daniel tells the king, possibly what he feared, he is that magnificent tree that benefitted so many. He shares what once delighted the king’s heart – the tree, the king, is very prosperous and successful. This is consistent with what Daniel told the king in his first dream -he is the head of gold.No one can rival the prosperity of King Nebuchadnezzar.
It is you Before Daniel visits the second part of the dream he clarifies the critical part of this dream. This is a personal message from God to Nebuchadnezzar. When God speaks He sends his word to touch a man’s heart. He expects an individual response to His personal message. Today God speaks through His word. He touches and convicts men’s hearts and he waits for our response. The Lord told us the different ways hearts would respond in the Parable of the Sower and the Seed. Daniel does yet not know how the king will respond. Yet he is not accountable for the king’s answer, he is only responsible
for giving the message God gave him. After making it clear that the king is the tree Daniel is now ready to tell the king God’s judgment is imminent.
And because the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, “Chop down the tree and destroy it.” God’s Word is clear and settled. “Be not deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap.” Most know this principle but few believe it. They hear the words of coming judgment but dismiss it from their memory. It only happens to someone else, not me.
What can we learn? Put yourself in Daniel’s shoes. God has given him a dangerous assignment. He does not know how this fierce cruel king will react to the message of judgment God sent him. Second Daniel respects and cares for the king. It is often hard to tell someone close to you that there is a coming judgment that will fall on them – God will judge them for their sin.
Daniel shows us the application of the words of Peter, “We ought to obey God rather than men”. He shows us that faithful servants do not tell people just what they want to hear. They do not take a poll to find out what people will accept. They tell the truth. They present the future with kindness but the present the future truthfully.
Watch Daniel carefully. He shows us how to witness for God with a broken heart, not out of anger orfear.