June 21: CONDITIONAL PROPHECY

“The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which could be seen by all the earth, whose leaves were lovely and its fruit abundant, in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the heaven had their home—it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your dominion to the end of the earth.” Daniel 4:20-22

Daniel’s interpretation included language from the king’s own description of the dream; his language was so plain that it hardly needed an explanation. And, because Daniel had received only favor from the king throughout their long relationship, it was especially difficult to be the bearer of such a calamitous threat of judgment. By the time he reached the point of identifying the subject of the vision—it is you, O king—it was as if the king had pronounced his own sentence. Yet Daniel did not shrink from the task of following through. With forceful words, Daniel continues:

“And inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump and roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze in the tender grass of the field; let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him graze with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him’”; (v.23)

The words seven times are understood as seven years. As the length of time for this prophecy of a conditional judgment is being comprehended by the king, Daniel speaks very plainly:

“This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king: They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses. And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules.” (vv.24-26)

In the process of learning, every one of us has “lightbulb” moments: Oh, how I wish I had known then what I know now! Beloved, the LORD has many lessons for us that do not have to be learned “the hard way”. Many of the hardships that we suffer are self-inflicted and entirely avoidable! God’s word is a character-molding library of priceless lessons, all given in love.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Note: After King Nebuchadnezzar’s first dream, Daniel pointed out that the dream was given, that [he] may know the thoughts of [his] heart (2:30).