1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:04,480 Speaker 1: Let us pray, and at the end of the days, 2 00:00:04,720 --> 00:00:09,119 Speaker 1: I Nebudgnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine 3 00:00:09,200 --> 00:00:16,239 Speaker 1: understanding returned unto me Daniel four. Three. Lord, as you 4 00:00:16,320 --> 00:00:20,960 Speaker 1: elevate my life, increase also the humility in which I 5 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:26,400 Speaker 1: live by help me to continually understand that everything I 6 00:00:26,520 --> 00:00:30,160 Speaker 1: have is a result of your goodness and not of 7 00:00:30,200 --> 00:00:34,920 Speaker 1: me being in control. Continue to put check points in 8 00:00:35,040 --> 00:00:37,960 Speaker 1: my life that will alert me when my heart is 9 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:43,040 Speaker 1: becoming prideful and conceited. Protect me from the madness that 10 00:00:43,120 --> 00:00:45,880 Speaker 1: can occur when I think that my splendor and open 11 00:00:45,960 --> 00:00:49,640 Speaker 1: doors around me came from my strength and by my 12 00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:55,000 Speaker 1: wisdom alone. May my life serve as a billboard that 13 00:00:55,120 --> 00:00:59,240 Speaker 1: publicly displays and proclaims your goodness to every one who 14 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:04,880 Speaker 1: sees me. I acknowledge today that it is you and 15 00:01:05,000 --> 00:01:10,960 Speaker 1: you alone that brings fulfillment and success into my life. 16 00:01:11,200 --> 00:01:14,880 Speaker 1: When I lose focus, I will thank you in advance 17 00:01:15,760 --> 00:01:20,440 Speaker 1: for realigning me, like Nebudknezzar in Daniel four, so that 18 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:23,920 Speaker 1: I can see you with a clear and sober mind. 19 00:01:25,760 --> 00:01:29,039 Speaker 1: Today I thank you that the beast of pride and 20 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:33,640 Speaker 1: arrogance has been overcome by the precious power of your 21 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:41,440 Speaker 1: Holy Spirit in Jesus name. Amen. Thank you for making 22 00:01:41,520 --> 00:01:44,839 Speaker 1: prayer a priority in your day. To learn more about 23 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:48,520 Speaker 1: the Bible, stay tuned for today's story, brought to you 24 00:01:48,840 --> 00:01:59,080 Speaker 1: by Bible in a Year dot com. 25 00:01:59,200 --> 00:02:04,000 Speaker 2: The King and the Beast. In our last story, Shadraq, 26 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:08,720 Speaker 2: Meshak and Abed Nigou refused to worship the statue Neberkanezza 27 00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:11,760 Speaker 2: set up and were thrown into the fire as punishment. 28 00:02:12,280 --> 00:02:15,840 Speaker 2: The flames raged, but they were unharmed. The Lord had 29 00:02:15,840 --> 00:02:19,519 Speaker 2: protected them, and Neberkanezer are to the power of their God. 30 00:02:20,200 --> 00:02:22,840 Speaker 2: In this story, neber Caanezer will come in contact with 31 00:02:22,880 --> 00:02:26,080 Speaker 2: his inner beast and come to realize the true nature 32 00:02:26,120 --> 00:02:30,320 Speaker 2: of his relationship with God. Inspired by the Book of Daniel. 33 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:35,320 Speaker 3: Hello, this is Pastor Jack Graham with another episode of 34 00:02:35,360 --> 00:02:38,280 Speaker 3: the Bible in a Year podcast. I'm really glad that 35 00:02:38,320 --> 00:02:41,680 Speaker 3: you've joined us today. In our last reading, we heard 36 00:02:41,720 --> 00:02:46,080 Speaker 3: about how God protected Shadraq, Meshach and Abednigo from the 37 00:02:46,080 --> 00:02:49,520 Speaker 3: fiery furnace. They refused to bend or to bow to 38 00:02:49,600 --> 00:02:52,520 Speaker 3: the King's idol, and God use their faithfulness to make 39 00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:57,160 Speaker 3: his glory known once again to Babylonian's king. In today's reading, 40 00:02:57,520 --> 00:03:00,960 Speaker 3: we'll learn how Nebukanzer is humbled by the Almighty God, 41 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:04,960 Speaker 3: with whom he continues to wrestle. His descent into madness 42 00:03:05,000 --> 00:03:07,160 Speaker 3: like an animal, will finally bring him to a point 43 00:03:07,160 --> 00:03:10,600 Speaker 3: of confession and acceptance that there is no other God 44 00:03:10,840 --> 00:03:14,519 Speaker 3: but Yahweh the Lord. Let's listen now to the reading 45 00:03:14,680 --> 00:03:15,440 Speaker 3: of God's word. 46 00:03:16,840 --> 00:03:21,640 Speaker 2: Neberkonezer, ruler of the ancient world, conqueror of kingdoms, and 47 00:03:21,800 --> 00:03:25,200 Speaker 2: slayer of kings, came in contact with the Living God. 48 00:03:25,880 --> 00:03:28,920 Speaker 2: He learned from the wisdom and favor of Daniel. He 49 00:03:29,040 --> 00:03:32,960 Speaker 2: witnessed God protect Shadrak, Mishak and abed Nago from the 50 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:36,640 Speaker 2: fiery furnace. So the mighty king praised the Lord of 51 00:03:36,680 --> 00:03:39,320 Speaker 2: heaven and Earth. He sent it a cree forth to 52 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:43,080 Speaker 2: the people of Babylon, saying he is the most High God. 53 00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:47,200 Speaker 2: His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. Yet the mind of 54 00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:51,440 Speaker 2: King Neberconezza was still fogged by years of pride and warmongering. 55 00:03:52,120 --> 00:03:54,680 Speaker 2: He knew of God's mighty works, but had not yet 56 00:03:54,720 --> 00:03:57,760 Speaker 2: come in contact with the personal reformation of his spirit. 57 00:03:58,480 --> 00:04:01,560 Speaker 2: The king would soon learn the world weight of God's power. 58 00:04:02,520 --> 00:04:05,680 Speaker 2: It was late, the night was heavy upon the horizon. 59 00:04:06,160 --> 00:04:09,680 Speaker 2: Clouds covered the stars above, and the east wind blew 60 00:04:09,760 --> 00:04:13,400 Speaker 2: violently through the valley. Thunder rolled in from the distance, 61 00:04:13,520 --> 00:04:17,560 Speaker 2: and the city was stirring beneath. King Nebucannezzar tossed and 62 00:04:17,680 --> 00:04:21,640 Speaker 2: turned in his bed, tormented by yet another dream. He 63 00:04:21,720 --> 00:04:24,920 Speaker 2: saw a tree sprouting forth from the earth. Its height 64 00:04:25,040 --> 00:04:28,679 Speaker 2: was tremendous, and its trunk was strong. Its branches reached 65 00:04:28,720 --> 00:04:31,760 Speaker 2: beyond the clouds for all the world to see. Its 66 00:04:31,880 --> 00:04:35,800 Speaker 2: leaves were deep and beautiful green. Its fruit was abundant 67 00:04:35,839 --> 00:04:39,440 Speaker 2: and provided food for all the lands below it. Animals 68 00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:42,240 Speaker 2: found refuge in its shade, and the birds of the 69 00:04:42,279 --> 00:04:45,400 Speaker 2: air made its nest in it. The king watched as 70 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:48,240 Speaker 2: the heavens opened up around it, and a voice boomed 71 00:04:48,240 --> 00:04:51,839 Speaker 2: from the skies, saying, chop the tree to the ground, 72 00:04:52,520 --> 00:04:55,839 Speaker 2: strip its leaves and scatter its fruit, but leave the 73 00:04:55,880 --> 00:04:58,800 Speaker 2: stump and bind it with iron. Let it dwell with 74 00:04:58,880 --> 00:05:03,680 Speaker 2: the beasts and become like them. So King Nebuconezzer watched 75 00:05:04,120 --> 00:05:06,960 Speaker 2: as the mighty tree was sliced by the mighty hand 76 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:10,200 Speaker 2: of God, and its body fell to the earth, shaking 77 00:05:10,240 --> 00:05:13,480 Speaker 2: it for miles. The king woke up in a terror. 78 00:05:13,960 --> 00:05:16,320 Speaker 2: He was sweating and could not get the image of 79 00:05:16,360 --> 00:05:20,120 Speaker 2: the tree's lifeless stump out of his mind. The king 80 00:05:20,279 --> 00:05:24,840 Speaker 2: sent for his wisest counselor Daniel. He described the dream 81 00:05:24,880 --> 00:05:29,440 Speaker 2: in great length, leaving no detail out. Daniel listened intently 82 00:05:29,480 --> 00:05:33,080 Speaker 2: to the king, growing more and more concerned with each detail. 83 00:05:33,680 --> 00:05:37,159 Speaker 2: The king was frantic as he described the dream. Something 84 00:05:37,200 --> 00:05:40,080 Speaker 2: in his mind had snapped, and it was clear what 85 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:43,000 Speaker 2: was about to happen. The king could sense the look 86 00:05:43,040 --> 00:05:46,400 Speaker 2: of alarm on Daniel's face. Do not be frightened, the 87 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:50,279 Speaker 2: king said, tell me what it means. I pray that 88 00:05:50,360 --> 00:05:52,880 Speaker 2: this dream is for your enemies and not for you. 89 00:05:53,400 --> 00:05:56,800 Speaker 2: Daniel said softly, However, that may not be the case. 90 00:05:57,680 --> 00:06:00,159 Speaker 2: Daniel sat the king down and began to enter, but 91 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:04,039 Speaker 2: its meaning for him. The mighty tree is you, my king. 92 00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:07,839 Speaker 2: Your greatness has spread across the land. Your kingdom is 93 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:12,080 Speaker 2: the source of food and shelter for all on the earth. However, 94 00:06:12,600 --> 00:06:16,479 Speaker 2: the stump is also you. You will be humbled, my King. 95 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:19,320 Speaker 2: You shall be driven to the wilderness because you have 96 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:22,560 Speaker 2: yet to learn of true humility. You have yet to 97 00:06:22,640 --> 00:06:25,840 Speaker 2: understand that it is God who raises a king. Yes, 98 00:06:25,880 --> 00:06:29,000 Speaker 2: you know of God now, but you still oppress and murder. 99 00:06:29,560 --> 00:06:32,920 Speaker 2: You seek your own gain, and you destroy all you desire. 100 00:06:33,800 --> 00:06:36,479 Speaker 2: Turn from this and there may be hope for you. 101 00:06:37,720 --> 00:06:40,760 Speaker 2: King neber Canezzer smiled at Daniel and sent him away. 102 00:06:41,560 --> 00:06:46,480 Speaker 2: He feigned repentance, he feigned benevolence. However, the king continued 103 00:06:46,520 --> 00:06:49,080 Speaker 2: to do all that seemed good in his eyes. He 104 00:06:49,240 --> 00:06:52,880 Speaker 2: was consumed with self worship. A year had passed, and 105 00:06:52,920 --> 00:06:55,240 Speaker 2: the king was walking on the rooftops of his palace. 106 00:06:55,720 --> 00:06:58,440 Speaker 2: The sun was peeking over the horizon, and his entire 107 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:01,599 Speaker 2: country was painted with beauty colors of gold and white. 108 00:07:02,360 --> 00:07:05,520 Speaker 2: He breathed in the fresh air and said, look at 109 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:09,159 Speaker 2: all I have built with my majesty. While the words 110 00:07:09,160 --> 00:07:11,600 Speaker 2: were dancing out of the king's mouth, a voice fell 111 00:07:11,680 --> 00:07:15,920 Speaker 2: upon him from heaven. Neber Canzzar, your kingdom shall be 112 00:07:16,040 --> 00:07:19,360 Speaker 2: stripped from you. You shall dwell with the beasts until 113 00:07:19,400 --> 00:07:22,040 Speaker 2: you truly know that it is the most High who 114 00:07:22,120 --> 00:07:26,320 Speaker 2: rules all kingdoms. And in that instant a madness came 115 00:07:26,400 --> 00:07:29,679 Speaker 2: upon the king. He writhed and panted like a dog, 116 00:07:29,960 --> 00:07:33,080 Speaker 2: and his mind wandered into a place of true insanity. 117 00:07:33,720 --> 00:07:36,640 Speaker 2: He ran like an animal into the wilderness and lived 118 00:07:36,680 --> 00:07:39,920 Speaker 2: among the beasts. Over time, his hair grew long and 119 00:07:39,960 --> 00:07:43,480 Speaker 2: his nails grew like claws. He ate grass like an ox, 120 00:07:43,520 --> 00:07:45,920 Speaker 2: and was greasy and wet with the filth of the earth. 121 00:07:46,640 --> 00:07:49,400 Speaker 2: For seven years, neber Canezzar was mad like an animal. 122 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:52,680 Speaker 2: His beastly demeanor revealed the sickness that had been in 123 00:07:52,720 --> 00:07:55,880 Speaker 2: his heart all along. He was a beast of a king. 124 00:07:56,560 --> 00:07:59,680 Speaker 2: He followed every debased desire that came into his heart. 125 00:08:00,360 --> 00:08:03,920 Speaker 2: He murdered and stole, He raped, and he pillaged. He 126 00:08:04,040 --> 00:08:08,400 Speaker 2: was a beast long before the madness. Many years had passed, 127 00:08:08,480 --> 00:08:11,200 Speaker 2: and neber Canezza was wandering the forest in the coolness 128 00:08:11,200 --> 00:08:14,840 Speaker 2: of the morning. He was ravaging on plants and berries. 129 00:08:14,960 --> 00:08:17,640 Speaker 2: When the sun peered in through the tree tops. The 130 00:08:17,640 --> 00:08:20,640 Speaker 2: beast lifted his eyes towards the sun, and the warmth 131 00:08:20,640 --> 00:08:24,680 Speaker 2: of God's mercy saturated him. His mind began to clear. 132 00:08:25,320 --> 00:08:29,120 Speaker 2: He saw God for who he truly was generous and marvelous. 133 00:08:29,800 --> 00:08:32,760 Speaker 2: Neber Canzza emerged from the wilderness, and his throne was 134 00:08:32,800 --> 00:08:36,160 Speaker 2: restored to him. He now ruled with a clearer mind. 135 00:08:36,960 --> 00:08:39,920 Speaker 2: His reason had returned to him, and he used his 136 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:42,640 Speaker 2: new found wisdom to rule with humility. 137 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:48,559 Speaker 3: Today scripture begins with the reminder of all God had 138 00:08:48,600 --> 00:08:51,520 Speaker 3: already done to make himself known to King nebchin Nazar, 139 00:08:52,320 --> 00:08:54,760 Speaker 3: the strength and wisdom of the young men like Daniel 140 00:08:54,800 --> 00:08:57,520 Speaker 3: who served God. How God had protected the men in 141 00:08:57,559 --> 00:09:00,280 Speaker 3: the furnace, even the king's on decree that the people 142 00:09:00,320 --> 00:09:03,800 Speaker 3: would worship only the Lord. And yet even with all 143 00:09:03,840 --> 00:09:07,319 Speaker 3: of this, Nebuicanazari's heart was not where it should be. 144 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:10,960 Speaker 3: God ultimately does not look to our words or outward 145 00:09:11,000 --> 00:09:14,400 Speaker 3: appearance of belief. He looks to the heart, straight to 146 00:09:14,440 --> 00:09:18,240 Speaker 3: the heart. And Nebukanazarikh's heart was still focused on his 147 00:09:18,320 --> 00:09:22,640 Speaker 3: own interest and his personal glory. He was full of pride. 148 00:09:23,280 --> 00:09:26,640 Speaker 3: So once more we find the king disturbed with a dream. 149 00:09:26,960 --> 00:09:29,360 Speaker 3: He saw a great tree that gave shade and food 150 00:09:29,400 --> 00:09:32,040 Speaker 3: to all the animals. It stretched out far and wide, 151 00:09:32,040 --> 00:09:36,160 Speaker 3: a majestic sight. But then God's voice came down from heaven, 152 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:39,520 Speaker 3: commanding the tree to be cut down, its stump and 153 00:09:39,640 --> 00:09:41,720 Speaker 3: roots bound to the ground, where it would remain to 154 00:09:41,760 --> 00:09:45,480 Speaker 3: live with animals and plants. But then God's voice came 155 00:09:45,520 --> 00:09:48,319 Speaker 3: down from heaven, commanding that the tree be cut down 156 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:51,160 Speaker 3: but its stump and roots bound to the ground, where 157 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:53,720 Speaker 3: it would remain to live with the animals and plants. 158 00:09:54,880 --> 00:09:58,880 Speaker 3: The dream clearly symbolized someone, and the king was greatly troubled. 159 00:09:59,280 --> 00:10:02,120 Speaker 3: He first called his wise men and astrologers, but they 160 00:10:02,160 --> 00:10:05,960 Speaker 3: had no answers, so he summoned Daniel, who received the 161 00:10:06,040 --> 00:10:10,040 Speaker 3: interpretation from God. He told nebucan AZERI that the tree 162 00:10:10,080 --> 00:10:14,119 Speaker 3: was the king himself. His vast empire was indeed majestic, 163 00:10:14,200 --> 00:10:18,840 Speaker 3: providing for people the world over, but the king needed pruning. 164 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:22,320 Speaker 3: His lust for power and praise were clouding his vision, 165 00:10:22,679 --> 00:10:24,800 Speaker 3: and though he had seen God work and even had 166 00:10:24,840 --> 00:10:29,040 Speaker 3: some appearance of belief, Nebganazar had yet to acknowledge the 167 00:10:29,080 --> 00:10:33,280 Speaker 3: supremacy of God and submit truly to him. Because of this, 168 00:10:33,720 --> 00:10:36,600 Speaker 3: he would be driven away from society, forced to live 169 00:10:37,040 --> 00:10:40,679 Speaker 3: like a wild animal. His mind would go mad, and 170 00:10:40,760 --> 00:10:44,760 Speaker 3: his outward state would mimic his inward baseness. But God 171 00:10:44,800 --> 00:10:48,000 Speaker 3: and his mercy would restore the kingdom to Nebcanazar when 172 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:51,560 Speaker 3: he recognized God for who he was and humbled himself 173 00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:55,640 Speaker 3: before him. The king heard the interpretation but did not 174 00:10:55,840 --> 00:10:59,520 Speaker 3: change his heart. One year later, as he was walking 175 00:10:59,559 --> 00:11:02,400 Speaker 3: on the roof of his palace, filled with pride for 176 00:11:02,480 --> 00:11:06,920 Speaker 3: his accomplishments. God's word came to pass. Just as Daniel said, 177 00:11:07,760 --> 00:11:11,720 Speaker 3: the king was overtaken by madness, and for seven years 178 00:11:11,760 --> 00:11:15,199 Speaker 3: he lived like a beast of the field, until finally 179 00:11:15,559 --> 00:11:19,319 Speaker 3: he looked to the heavens and his sanity returned. God 180 00:11:19,360 --> 00:11:22,120 Speaker 3: had broken this man, but this was not an act 181 00:11:22,160 --> 00:11:25,679 Speaker 3: of cruelty. It was a work of grace, the reaching 182 00:11:25,720 --> 00:11:28,480 Speaker 3: out of a loving God to bring this man to himself. 183 00:11:30,120 --> 00:11:32,720 Speaker 3: Though he was not an Israelite. Nebgan As there was 184 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:36,960 Speaker 3: created for the purposes of God, and it had always 185 00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:40,920 Speaker 3: been God's heart for every person, including this man, to 186 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:44,240 Speaker 3: turn to him. Here we see our great God going 187 00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:48,920 Speaker 3: to great links to reach one man. This man had 188 00:11:48,960 --> 00:11:52,320 Speaker 3: such great power and influence that his life would have 189 00:11:52,400 --> 00:11:58,480 Speaker 3: tremendous repercussions and echoes throughout all of history. Nebgan Azer 190 00:11:58,960 --> 00:12:03,280 Speaker 3: testified to God greatness, and in Daniel four thirty four 191 00:12:03,800 --> 00:12:07,000 Speaker 3: we read some of his words about the Lord. His 192 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:11,679 Speaker 3: dominion is an eternal dominion. His kingdom endures from generation 193 00:12:12,120 --> 00:12:16,600 Speaker 3: to generation. At last, the king had humbled himself before 194 00:12:16,640 --> 00:12:19,440 Speaker 3: the Lord, and just as God had promised, the kingdom 195 00:12:19,559 --> 00:12:23,080 Speaker 3: was restored to him. The ripple effects of his transformation 196 00:12:23,160 --> 00:12:26,360 Speaker 3: would be felt in the Babylonian kingdom and even beyond 197 00:12:26,400 --> 00:12:30,160 Speaker 3: in the centuries to follow. Dear God, we are reminded 198 00:12:30,160 --> 00:12:32,400 Speaker 3: in this story that you will go to great links 199 00:12:32,440 --> 00:12:36,479 Speaker 3: to bring us to yourself. Lord. May we humble ourselves 200 00:12:36,520 --> 00:12:40,120 Speaker 3: before you, and we pray that our lives would always 201 00:12:40,440 --> 00:12:44,360 Speaker 3: reflect your love and grace. May we repent of our 202 00:12:44,440 --> 00:12:47,200 Speaker 3: sin and submit to your will and live in the 203 00:12:47,240 --> 00:12:51,840 Speaker 3: abundance of life in Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen. 204 00:12:52,920 --> 00:12:55,880 Speaker 3: Once again, thank you for listening to today's Bible in 205 00:12:55,920 --> 00:12:59,880 Speaker 3: a Year podcast. I'm pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. 206 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:03,080 Speaker 3: Let me encourage you to download the pray dot Com 207 00:13:03,120 --> 00:13:07,439 Speaker 3: app and make Bible study and prayer a real priority 208 00:13:07,520 --> 00:13:11,160 Speaker 3: in your life. And if you are enjoying this podcast, 209 00:13:11,559 --> 00:13:14,120 Speaker 3: share it with someone you know, someone you care about, 210 00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:18,640 Speaker 3: because sharing God's word has a powerful impact upon people's lives. 211 00:13:19,240 --> 00:13:21,960 Speaker 3: And if you want more resources as to how you 212 00:13:22,080 --> 00:13:26,280 Speaker 3: can find faith, grow in your faith, develop as a 213 00:13:26,280 --> 00:13:29,480 Speaker 3: disciple and follower of Jesus, be sure to visit me 214 00:13:29,720 --> 00:13:33,439 Speaker 3: at Jack Graham dot org. We have plenty of resources 215 00:13:33,480 --> 00:13:36,440 Speaker 3: that will encourage you and equip you for life. God 216 00:13:36,480 --> 00:13:36,880 Speaker 3: bless you.