In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how King Nebuchadnezzar said, “I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace. I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream”, and “Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying, O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no secret troubles you, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof. Thus were the visions of my head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great”, and in chapter four and verse eleven of his book Daniel shared how Nebuchadnezzar said he saw, “the tree grew, and was strong” where we read,
The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven,
and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:
The verse reads, “The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, …” Daniel began with the words, “the tree grew” or “the physical tree increased in size”, “and was strong” which means “and was hardened, firm and made stringent”, “and the height thereof” or “and the altitude of the tree” “reached unto heaven” which means “attained and was extended to the sky”. Daniel shared how Nebuchadnezzar said the “physical tree” increased in size, was stringent and the altitude of it extended to the sky.
The verse goes on to say, “… and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:” Daniel continued with the words, “and the sight thereof” which means “and the visibility and view of the tree” “to the end” or “extended to the extremity and furthermost part” “of all the earth” which means “pertaining to each, every and the whole part of the region, district, territory and world”. Daniel said the view of the “tree” was seen from throughout the world.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel more about the “dream” of Nebuchadnezzar. The “tree” that he observed increased in size, became hardened and firm and was able to be seen from all over the world. This was indeed a large “tree”, and we shall see the meaning of it in our next verses. For now, let us use our imaginations to visualize this massive “tree” presented to King Nebuchadnezzar in a “dream” and understand that God was governing over all of these things. God has a plan, and He is working it out. He desired to save mankind from the penalty of death for their sins, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of everyone. When we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us through His Holy Spirit that He is in control even when He gives “dreams” to pagan leaders.
Next time Daniel says Nebuchadnezzar shared about, “the leaves and the fruit of the tree”, 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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