In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream, and after calling upon his magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers who were unable to tell him what his dream meant, Nebuchadnezzar said, “Thus were the visions of my head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, … I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven. He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches”, and in chapter four and verse fifteen of his book Daniel shared how Nebuchadnezzar said the watcher declared, “leave the stump of his roots in the earth” where we read,
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:
The verse reads, “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;” Daniel began with the words, “nevertheless leave the stump” or “nonetheless, however and moreover allow the stock of roots to remain and stay in place” “of his roots” which means “pertaining to his, the tree’s, rootstock or tuber” “in the earth” or “within the ground”, “even with a band of iron” which means “imprisoned and bound with an iron strap, ring or hoop” “and brass” or “and bronze or copper”, “in the tender grass” which means “within the herb-like grass” “of the field” or “belonging to the plain”. Daniel shared how King Nebuchadnezzar said the angel instructed those listening to him to allow the “stump and roots” of the “tree” to remain with an iron and bronze strap encircling it within the herb-like grass within the plain.
The verse continues “and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:” Daniel added the words, “and let it be wet” which means “and allow it, the tree, to exist with a ground covering mist”: “with the dew of heaven” or “according to the wetness from the sky”, “and let his portion be” which means “and allow his, the tree’s, part, lot and possession exist” “with the beasts” or “alongside and accompanying the animals” “in the grass of the earth” which means “within the herbage belonging to the world”. Daniel shared how King Nebuchadnezzar said the angel gave instruction to allow the “stump” of the “tree” to have moisture or mist from the sky and to allow the “tree’s” allotment to exist alongside the animals within the herbage of the world.
When we consider Daniel's words in this verse, we learn more about the King Nebuchadnezzar’s “dream” concerning a flourishing “tree” that protruded from the center of the world. Not only was the “tree” cut down and stripped of it’s bough and foliage, but the “stump of roots” were to remain with “iron and bronze” bands which depicted judgment surrounding it. The animals were to disperse, the birds would fly away and the “stump” would be covered with the wetness of “dew” within the herbage of the plain. God’s plan was being revealed and we shall see what the meaning of this dream was in our next few verses, but for now let us use our imaginations to visualize what King Nebuchadnezzar was seeing. It is no wonder he was in terror and wonder concerning this “dream”. God was at work, and because He loves everyone, He gave this “vision” to King Nebuchadnezzar which would lead to God sending His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be resurrected from the grave after three days. God will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us by His Holy Spirit to know He is at work behind the scenes even when we are unaware of His presence.
Next time Daniel says Nebuchadnezzar shared how the watcher said, “let his heart be changed from a man’s”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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