“These were the visions of my head while on my bed: I was looking, and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great. The tree grew and became strong; its height reached to the heavens, and it could be seen to the ends of all the earth. Its leaves were lovely, its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, the birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches,
and all flesh was fed from it.” Daniel 4:10-12
Nebuchadnezzar tells us he summoned Daniel into his presence and then tells us he called him Belshazzar after his god. He is making the point that at that time he did not respect Daniel’s God as the one true God. He viewed him as just one of many. Yet he knew something was different about Daniel and he knew he would tell him the truth. So the king shares his dream with Daniel.
These were the visions of my head while on my bed King
Nebuchadnezzar tells us it was night and he was lying in his bed. The word visions is the same word used for the dream God sent to Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel Chapter 2.
I was looking, and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth The king tells us he was watching this vision being played out in front of his eyes (like a movie). He sees a tree (the word is only used in Daniel 4 in the whole Bible). This tree is prominent – it is set in the very middle of the earth so that everything revolves around it. Its height is great as it towers over the earth.
The tree grew and became strong Not only was the tree tall it continued to grow (became large) and it was very strong (the word can also mean become proud). As the tree grew Its height reached to the heavens. The phrase used reminds us of the Tower of Babel. The word reached can be translated attain and the word heaven is used of the God of heavens. God is making the point to the king this tree is striving to become like God – an act of pride associated with Satan himself.
It could be seen to the ends of all the earth The fame of this tree was immense. From anywhere in the earth a person could look and see the towering tree. The tree focused the attention of everyone on itself.
Its leaves were lovely, its fruit abundant Not only was the tree tall and strong, it was prosperous. In Luke 13:6-9 the Lord tells us of a fig tree with leaves but no fruit. It promised fruitfulness but did not
deliver. This tree had luxurious foliage and promised great fruitfulness to all who saw it.
In it was food for all In Nebuchadnezzar’s vision the tree lived up to its expectations. Food was found in its branches for all who wanted it.
The beasts of the field found shade under it Not only did the tree provide food it provided shelter, protection and rest to all living things.
The birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches making their homes there.
All flesh was fed from it. Nebuchadnezzar sums us the value the tree provided to the earth. It was instrumental to all life on earth. It seemed to be the provider of all good things for everyone on earth.
What can we learn? God tells us of another tree that was located in the center. This tree, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, stood in the midst of the Garden of Eden. This tree symbolized the choice to honor God by obeying Him or not. Now God shows King Nebuchadnezzar a second tree. God the Creator planted this tree also and He made it grow and prosper. The question of whether it would honor God or dishonor Him was yet unclear. This reminds us of the United States. God raised this nation up, made it grow and made it prosperous. For many yeas all in the earth looked to it for protection and provision. Yet the same issue remains – will the tree honor or dishonor God?