The Contrast of Two Positions
The Sovereignty of God | A Study Through the Book of Daniel • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 16 viewsWhen contrasting men and the men of God, God's man always grows while the others break.
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Introduction
For many to be happy in life they have to be in control. God repeatedly tells them they are not in control, but they choose resist. They fight God the whole way. How many of are in that place today? We think we are in control and try to live life as if we are, but in reality no one is in control. Before us in our text we find contrast between two very different positions. The contrast between a man and a man of God. We see a contrast between God lifting up and God bringing down. It truly is God who chooses who rises and who falls, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
Focus Passage: Daniel 4:19-27
19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies. 20 The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth; 21 Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation: 22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth. 23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him; 24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: 25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule. 27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
Outline
Four Points of Contrast that Show the Condition of the Wicked v. the Man of God
Four Points of Contrast that Show the Condition of the Wicked v. the Man of God
Nebuchadnezzar’s insensitivity and Daniel’s sensitivity
As we look at the text before we are reminded of a man of the world and a man of God. Nebuchadnezzar, being a man of the world, loved power, prestige, and pomp. He wanted everyone to know that he was in charge. He was going to be honored. He was going to heard and obeyed. He did not care what this looked like. He truly was insensitive to those around him. This has proven over and over again throughout our study in just these first three chapters of Daniel.
The abduction of the young and fair youth of Jerusalem (Daniel 1)
The brainwashing of the young and fair youth of Jerusalem (Daniel 1)
The identity change of the young and fair youth of Jerusalem (Daniel 1)
The forceful worship of a pagan king, Nebuchadnezzar himself (Daniel 2)
The threat of death over the interpretation of a dream (Daniel 2)
The threat of death over now bowing before a statue (Daniel 3)
The attempted murder of the three Hebrew children (Daniel 3)
Yet through this all, God was sovereign and the men of God remained faithful.
17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
However, when one looks at Daniel, he is encompassed by a spirit of humility. He encompassed by a spirit of sensitivity. His humility and sensitivity is driven by the Holy Spirit of God.
As we look at the text before, do we see evidence of this sensitivity? If so, what evidence do we see. I believe we find ample evidence of his sensitivity. A characteristic that should be a defining character for all of God’s children. We should all be senstive toward one another and have a love for one another. As Jesus told his disciples:
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
What evidence do we see?
In verses one through eighteen of chapter four, we see that Nebuchadnezzar has another vision. Once again, this vision to get his attention, that he is not in control, nor is he the almighty that he thinks that he is. God is sovereign. God is in control. He calls Daniel to him in (v.18) and ask for an interpretation, Now thou, Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof…thou art able, because he believed, as he states, but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.
When Daniel begins to interpret the dream he shows great concern toward the king before even interpreting the dream. We read that Daniel was astonished for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. He was not troubled for himself, rather he was more concerned about what the interpretation meant for the king. He was truly doing what God has declared for us to do today.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Daniel points to this truth when he tells Nebuchadnezzar, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies. He honored the king despite all that the king had done. He did not want to happen what God said would happen. Of course, Nebuchadnezzar wanted to know what the dream meant. He did not care what it meant so long as he knew what it meant. He was insensitive to his own being. Therefore he was insensitive to Daniel’s reluctance to share the interpretation, The king spake, and said, Belshazzar, let no the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee.
Why did Daniel care? Because the Spirit of God would not allow him not to care. He was a man of God. He was going to be sensitive to the Spirit and through this be sensitive to those around him. As the interpretation of this dream unfolded, Daniel saw what was coming in the near future for king Nebuchadnezzar, The tree thou sawest…It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong. Knowing the kings power and kingdom were going to be stripped for a perfect time, till seven times pass over him. This broke Daniel’s heart. He did not want to see the king face God’s judgment. Whereas Daniel was sensitive to God’s Spirit, it is evident through the preceeding chapters that Nebuchadnezzar is not.
Not only do we see a different between the insensitivity of Nebuchadnezzar and the sensitivity of Daniel, we also see the difference between...
Decree of Nebuchadnezzar and the decree of God
As we move from the contrast of Nebuchadnezzar’s insensitivity and Daniel’s sensitivity, we also see another contrast. It is the contrast between two decrees. The decree of Nebuchadnezzar and the decree of God.
Nebuchadnezzar’s decree was personal and about self-rule and self-control. He decrees in (v. 6), bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream. Why?
Nebuchadnezzar wanted the interpretation of his dream for one reason, control. If he knew what the future could hold, he could determine what happened and if it wasn’t in his favor, he could change it.
This is how many are today. They want to know about the future. They want to have all the answers before they even know the questions. How many of us are guilty of this? What we find is that Nebuchadnezzar was not the only one that day making a decree.
God was making a degree that day. God’s decree is read in (v. 17).
17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
Our decrees and demands do not change the decree of God. Whereas Nebuchadnezzar’s decree was out of vain glory and wanting to control his own end, God’s decree was show his sovereignty and glory. It was to bring Nebuchadnezzar into a right relationship with Him.
What this decree showed Nebuchadnezzar, and reveals to us today is the reality that we are not in charge. God is in full control. We also find that God, at times, will bring us to our knees until we acknowledge Him as Lord and King.
25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.
Even in view of God’s decree, we still are shown the sensitivity of Daniel
27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
One of the most painful things to learn is that God is in control. One of the most pleasing things to know is that God is in control, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee.
May we all learn that God is control and find solace in this truth.
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
We find written in the Preacher’s Commentary on Daniel the following:
The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 21: Daniel Warnings from God
Few things are more necessary in our own day or indeed in any day. Jonathan Edwards bears eloquent testimony. In the days of the eighteenth-century Great Awakening, he came to see how conversion was prefaced by a “humiliation before the Sovereign Disposer of life and death, whereby God is wont to prepare them for his consolations.”
As we move forward, we find another contrast. We find a contrast between...
Nebuchadnezzar’s view of self and the reality of God’s judgment
I was often told and have to remind myself that we don’t always see things as they are. We see through rose colored glasses in some areas and just don’t see the reality of how things are. A perfect example of this is when we are talking to someone and get excited. We may not realize that we are getting loud and even on the verge of lying, but we are.
This same contrast is what’s in view. The contrast between a rose colored view and reality. We are to understand that just because God works through someone it does not mean that they are a child of His. God may use our personality for His will, a personality and gift that He has infused us with, but that does not mean that we are His. We were merely instruments of His use.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
This is the reality of what is before us. Nebuchadnezzar was being used of God to reveal His sovereign will and plan (Daniel 4:1-18). Nebuchadnezzar saw only the positive of the vision.
20 The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth; 21 Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation: 22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.
Nebuchadnezzar was only about the good, but what was he missing? He was missing God’s plan. He was missing God’s judgment. Where he was many are. We see all the blessings of God, but we do not see the judgment of God. We miss the reality of what is taking place. This was Nebuchadnezzar’s problem. God was going to grow him and use him, but then God was going to judge him, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field (vv. 23). This judgment of God would be complete and would fulfill His perfect will, till seven times pass over him. Truly God’s World will always fulfill that which God has sent it out to do.
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
But what was God’s purpose for this dream, this vision? Was it just to show His plan? Was it just to show His power? Was it just to prove He’s in control? Or was it something else? We find that answer within our final contrast.
Mercy of God and the mercilessness of Nebuchadnezzar
Nebuchadnezzar has proven he is merciless over and over. He has proven he has no concern for anyone outside of self. However, this is contrasted with God. God’s ultimate aim for all to come to saving faith in Christ.
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
When God disciplines, His discipline is out of love. He only disciplines though He does love.
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. 5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
This was what the discipline of Nebuchadnezzar was for. It was not just to show who was in charge. It was meant to bring into a repentant state to bring him into a right relationship with his Creator, break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor (v. 27). This is why God disciplines us. He wants us to be a right relationship with Him. For us to have a right relationship with Him, we must realize that He is in charge, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will (v. 25).
He calls us to have dialogue with Him.
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
He calls us to have a repentant heart, not just in word but in action. As recorded by Luke in the book of Acts...
20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Conclusion
Where are you tonight? Are you saved? Are you in a right relationship with God? Are you trying to live a life in full control not realizing you have never been in control. May we realize that the only way to save our life is to lose our life. That what Jesus tells us.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
May you do as Isaiah writes, come to God, have dialogue with God, and realize you must repent and come to God. May you finally allow him to be Lord and King of your life.