Daniel 4:10 Commentary and Bible Study

‘A tree in the midst of the earth’ – if they drew maps, they would put Babylon in the centre. This tree represents Nebuchadnezzar, the king of the empire that rules the world, and the centre of power. Its height was great, taller than any other tree, for Nebuchadnezzar had no rivals. Calvin remarks that a tree is a fitting image of the king’s office ‘because God has appointed the existence of governments in the world for this purpose – to be like trees on whose fruits all men feed, and under whose shadow they rest … since it is better to live under the most cruel tyrant than without any government at all.’ The tree has grown over time; his authority and power has increased as he has conquered more and more territory. It could be seen throughout all nations; all knew that Nebuchadnezzar ruled over them, so that from the perspective of his subjects its height reaches to the heavens, challenging the authority of God. He can, as it were, be seen from the remotest regions of the empire.Its leaves are fair, beautiful: it is a benevolent scene. It will stand for good order seen as coming from the king, with nobler parts of empire due surely to Daniel’s oversight. But certainly also, some wretched things went on. He was a great builder, but he went through large numbers of lives in the process: those who died while constructing his great edifices. The dream that Nebuchadnezzar is given is crafted by God to, as it were, match Nebuchadnezzar's own inflated idea of himself. It is almost like a chargesheet, as well as a dream. In the dream he is given, you get an insight into how Nebuchadnezzar saw himself. ‘The leaves thereof were fair’ –Nebuchadnezzar didn't see himself as a tyrant. He thought he was benefactor to the world; he thought the mighty empire he built fed millions and looked after vast numbers of people. If ever there was any suggestion he was an ogre or violent, he would justify himself by saying that he provided for all. It was a fanciful vision, but symbolic. The very beasts of the field are described as profiting from his reign, which of course is hyperbole. The curse was not suspended under Nebuchadnezzar, and nature continued to be cruel, but the effect on mankind is spoken of in terms of the animal world. In the dream everything centred on the beneficial influence of the king.