The Saga of the Ox-man
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Gaining insight into suffering and restoration through the final story of Nebuchadnezzar.
Text: Daniel 4:28-37
Date: 11/19/2017, the Evening service.
Series: "Daniel: Divine Dominion and Deliverance" Part 12
Description:
Having all ready studied Nebuchadnezzar's second dream and its interpretation by Daniel, in this passage we will see the fulfillment of that vision. The great king will be driven from his palace and spend what seems to be seven years in the wild living like an ox. But after God has taught him the lesson that He alone is sovereign, all-powerful and all-knowing-- the king will regain his sanity and be restored to his kingdom. We will learn valuable lessons from this pagan king as we compare his story to other illustrations in the Bible that confirm that God alone is sovereign and will humble the proud before Him. Ultimately we will find in this saga of the ox-man a message concerning God's plan of redemption and how the restoration of those driven from the Garden is accomplished through the Crosswork of Jesus the Christ!
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Daniel 4:28-37.
A. Context
B. Nebuchadnezzar's time of madness.
1. Continued arrogance, vs. 28-30.
a. A change in narration, vs. 28.
b. Gawking at his accomplishments, vs. 29, Dan, 4:4, 27.
c. The epitome of a prideful man, vs. 30.
2. The day of reckoning, vs. 31-33.
a. The voice from heaven, vs. 31.
b. Driven from his kingdom, vs. 32, Gen. 3:23,24.
c. The sentence is fulfilled, vs. 33.
3. Nebuchadnezzar's doxology, vs. 34-35.
a. The turnaround, vs. 34a.
b. Nebuchadnezzar's hymn, vs. 34b-35.
i. A hymn of praise, vs. 34b, Dan. 4:3, Psa. 145:13.
ii. A hymn of humility, vs. 35.
iii. The example of Job, Job 40:9-11.
c. Nebuchadnezzar's gift.
4. The restoration, vs. 36.
5. The end of the saga, vs. 37, Matt. 5:3,5.
III. Application
A. Comparisons to the Fall.
B. The comparison with the exiles, Ex. 19:5,6.
C. An illustration of God's Plan of Redemption.
IV. Conclusion
