Based on "Daniel: Standing Firm for God" by Gene Getz, this lesson is found in Daniel 4 and examines God's judgment for Nebuchadnezzar's pride.

1. THE PRICE OF PRIDE
Daniel 4:1-37
Based on Daniel: Standing Firm for God by Gene A.
Getz

2.  Daniel 4:29-32
 Nebuchadnezzar walked around on the roof of the palace and decided
to congratulate himself on all his accomplishments.
 God, Who resists the proud according to James 4:6, responded
immediately. (v.31-32)
 Nebuchadnezzar lost his mind and for seven years he would live like an
animal until he acknowledged that God “the Most High reigneth.”
 Chapter 4 is a detailed first-person account of what happened to
Nebuchadnezzar.
 Daniel 4:1-3
 Before he started, he greeted the world and gave a personal witness
regarding the eternal God.
 And naturally, it all started for him with a dream. (v.4-5)

3.  Daniel was probably between 45 and 50 years old at this time.
Nebuchadnezzar had ruled Babylon between 30 and 35 years.
 V.4 The king was relaxing and contented, thinking he had reached his
lifetime goal – to be the greatest monarch who ever lived. No doubt he
was filled with pride and self-satisfaction.
 V.5 He had a dream that bothered him.
 V.6 He calls for all the wise men and astrologers, because that worked
so well the last time! This time he tells them the dream and only asks
for the interpretation.
 V.7 Same result as the last time. They didn’t even try to interpret this
dream according to the Hebrew text.
 Why not? Well, remember what happened last time? None of them
had forgotten. There was probably a serious amount of fear in that
group.

4.  V.8 Daniel shows up, but only after no other wise man would comment
on the king’s dream.
 “At the last” means that Daniel waited for the right moment, when no
one else could or would answer the king.
 Daniel knew this was another divine moment orchestrated by God to
help Nebuchadnezzar come to grips with his arrogance and false
beliefs.
 V.9 Nebuchadnezzar was excited to see Daniel and acknowledged his
divine wisdom and spiritual reputation. He had not forgotten what
Daniel had done with his last dream (Daniel 2:24-45).
 V.10-18 give the details of the dream. This one is a bit weird….

5.  V.10-15a are about a gigantic tree. V.15b-17 the tree becomes a man.
 V.19 Daniel was “astonied” and “troubled.” He was afraid for the king.
Obviously, his emotions were visible because Nebuchadnezzar tries to
comfort Daniel.
 Daniel wished this dream applied to the kings enemies.
 This message came directly from God (v.24).
 Nebuchadnezzar would be driven away from his people to live with the
animals, would eat grass like a cow and live outside for seven years
until he acknowledged God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and
gives them to anyone He wishes. (v.24-25)
 V.26 The good news is that Nebuchadnezzar would be restored to his
kingship once he acknowledged God.
 V.27 Daniel gives the king a chance to repent and avoid this.

6.  God gave Nebuchadnezzar one year, but he didn’t repent.
 V.31-33 The dream comes true. Imagine seeing the President down on
all fours eating grass. This behavior altered his appearance (v.33)
 V.34-36 Nebuchadnezzar was still able to look to heaven. Once he took
a step toward the Lord, he experienced redemption.
 God restored his sanity, enabling him to respond with worship and
praise.
 We don’t know specifically what happened following his repentance
except that he returned to Babylon, was sought out by his advisors and
nobles and restored to his throne (v.36)
 V.37 Nebuchadnezzar clearly acknowledged his faith in the God of
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
 He learned that God honors those who are truly humble and is able to
humble those that are not.

7. 1. GOD SERIOUSLY DISAPPROVES OF
PRIDE AND ARROGANCE.
 Proverbs 6:16-19
 Pride was Satan’s first sin. Isaiah 14:12-14
 He still uses this same tactic against humans today. He even tried it on
Jesus in Matthew 4:8-10.
 Jesus demonstrated humility throughout His life. Philippians 2:3-8

8. 2. THOUGH GOD HATES PRIDE, HE IS PATIENT
AND WANTS US TO TURN FROM THIS SIN SO
THAT HE WILL NOT HAVE TO DISCIPLINE US.
 As prideful as Nebuchadnezzar was, God gave him a full year to repent
after the warning dream. Daniel also made it clear that God might
respond to a humble spirit and remove His judgment.
 Proverbs 29:23
 I Corinthians 10:12
 Eventually, God will humble you for your pride.
 Hebrews 12:7-10

9. 3. GOD WILL RESPOND TO OUR PRAYERS FOR
HELP WHEN WE ACKNOWLEDGE OUR SINS
AND SEEK HIS HELP.
 God is waiting and longing for Christians to be back in fellowship with
Him. He will never turn His back on us.
 God knows when we are playing games, however. He will not all us to
manipulate Him.
 This story is encouraging for the lost as well in that God responds
when they look to Him.
 I Peter 3:9
 John 3:16
 It is NEVER too late to turn or return to God!