Good Morning!
Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots 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 in the grass of the earth: Let his heart be changed from
man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him. 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 (Dan 4:15-17).
Leave the stump. How good to hear God say "leave the stump." We have seen stumps sprout and grow another tree or several trees from one stump. For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease (Job 14:7). God is not through with Nebuchadnezzar. I believe we will see him in Heaven. It took God at least 25 years to get anywhere with this stubborn man.
With a band of iron and brass. The band of iron and brass was not a means of preserving the stump but was symbolic of God's restraining power upon him. It was customary for many centuries to restrain wild and insane men with chains to prevent them from hurting people around them. In Jesus' day we find this scene:
And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him (Mar 5:2-4).
Nebuchadnezzar was a man who would not submit to be ruled by God. In Job, Elihu attempts to instruct Job: For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; (Job 33:14-15). Elihu's preaching wasn't the greatest, but he got this one right.
God had shown Nebuchadnezzar the huge image and its destruction. Then, He showed him his power in the fiery furnace that did not consume His servants. The king continued in his pride and rebellion. And now in the cutting down of the beautiful and powerful tree, the king has had his third and final warning. Judgment has come. God is going to humiliate this proud and stubborn monarch for seven years. Strauss reminds us: "There is a stern and solemn warning here to any and all who pervert the ways of God, for at times God uses drastic means to humble the proud heart."
That the living may know. We come to the underlying reason for the cutting down of the tree and leaving the stump. We are told: There is no fear of God before their eyes (Rom 3:18). This is the reason this ancient story is up-to-date today. Do you see much fear of God in entertainment, education, and government today?
Victor Hugo (1802-1885) leaves us an interesting word about Napoleon on the battle of Waterloo. Strauss reports it: "On the morning of the battle, the little dictator stood gazing upon the field of battle as he described to his commanding officer his strategy for that day's campaign. 'We will put our infantry here, the cavalry there, the artillery here. At the end of the day England will be at the feet of France and Wellington will be prisoner to Napoleon.' After a pause the commanding officer said, 'But we must not forget that man proposes but God disposes.'
"With arrogant pride the little dictator stretched his little body to full height and replied, "I want you to understand, sir, that Napoleon proposes and Napoleon disposes."
"Victor Hugo went on to write, 'From that moment Waterloo was lost, for God sent rain and hail so that the troops of Napoleon could not maneuver as he had planned, and on the night of battle it was Napoleon who was prisoner of Wellington, and France was at the feet of England.'"
God's timeless word to us is: …and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (1Pe 5:5-6).
The most High ruleth in the kingdom of men. This comes as a real surprise to most rulers. Not only so, but he setteth up over it the basest of men. The barnyard rooster that thinks his crowing makes the sun come up has missed it somewhere. It is the living God that rules in the kingdoms of men.
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