Daniel interprets King Nebuchadnezzar’s fruit tree dream

Daniel 4

re-told by Debbie Dunn

Story highlights:

* Daniel interprets King Nebuchadnezzar’s fruit tree dream.

* King’s 2nd dream warned him to cease taking credit for what only God could do.

* King Nebuchadnezzar spent 7 years eating grass like wild ox.

Bible tale begins:

Do you recall King Nebuchadnezzar [neh-buh-kuhd-neh-zr]? God chose to give him lots of power. However, ... .

RINGLEADER: Did he brag instead of thanking God?

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You are exactly right.

RINGLEADER: What else did that king do wrong?

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In the 35 years he had been king of Babylon, he killed many, forced others to worship idols like that tall gold statue, and … .

RINGLEADER: I know! He took people hostage!

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Yep! He kidnapped thousands of people from Jerusalem, including Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

So, God gave that bragging king another scary dream.

RINGLEADER: What was this dream about?

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He dreamed about a huge fruit tree, tall enough to touch the sky, and wide enough to be seen all around the earth.

RINGLEADER: That's a big tree!

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It sure was! In his dream, a Messenger from God came down from Heaven, removed the fruit and cut off all the branches.

RINGLEADER: Was there anything left of that tree?

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Only the trunk and roots, tied down with bronze and iron.

RINGLEADER: Why did the king find that so scary?

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It was because of the words of the Messenger from God.

RINGLEADER: What did God's Messenger say?

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The wise men didn’t have a clue when they heard that part of the king’s dream. Those words even worried Daniel.

RINGLEADER: How did Daniel explain those words?

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DANIEL: Uh, Your Majesty, you are that tree. Since you keep taking credit for what only God can do, He will expel you from your palace to eat grass like a wild ox in a field.

RINGLEADER: Say what???!!! That's freaky!

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KING: No! I don’t want that! Tell me how to fix this!

DANIEL: Stop sinning, be kinder to people, and stop taking credit for what only God can do.

Just then, the king recalled another part of his dream.

KING: The Messenger from God said this would continue for seven periods of time. Does that stand for 7 years?

DANIEL: Possibly. There is some good news.

KING: What's the good news?

DANIEL: Because the trunk and roots of the tree were not destroyed, you will eventually regain your ability to live like a man.

KING: Why does God plan to punish me in this way?

DANIEL: Remember the words of God’s Messenger:

MESSENGER OF GOD: This will happen so that you understand that God is the only true ruler of the entire earth and can choose whomever He desires to be a king.

RINGLEADER: Did the king stop bragging about himself?

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The king followed Daniel’s advice for 12 whole months.

RINGLEADER: Uh-oh! Did the king forget?

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He sure did. One year later, King Nebuchadnezzar decided to take a walk on the roof of his royal palace of Babylon.

That king looked around and felt so proud that he forgot all about God. Instead, he started bragging:

KING: Look at this great Babylon built by ME! Show ME glory for MY mighty power.

RINGLEADER: Uh-oh! He’s done it now!

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A voice thundered down from Heaven and told the king:

MESSENGER OF GOD: For 7 periods of time, until you sincerely respect God as the true ruler and giver of power, you must leave your palace to live like a wild ox.

Picture it. That king's human brain became an animal brain. He ate grass like he was a wild ox. His hair grew long and matted. His finger- and toenails looked like bird claws. Ewww!

RINGLEADER: Yikes! That's freaky and scary!

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It sure was! After probably 7 years, the king raised his eyes and looked toward Heaven. The very moment he gave all praise to Almighty God, his sanity was restored.

As he once again looked, thought, ate, and talked like a man, his people welcomed him back as their king.

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