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I found some of the traits of the individual's in Daniel interesting to learn about God's control over all things. Also what we might learn to apply to our own personal life.

Character Traits of People in the Book of Daniel

Daniel
followed his Lord and GOD
-was slave to Nebuchadnezzar
-did not defile himself with the kings riches
-GOD granted Daniel favor & compassion in sight of others
-GOD gave Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom.
Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams
-the king found Daniel ten times better than all in his realm.

Nebuchadnezzar The King
-king of Babylon (present day Iraq)
-worshipped idols
-put GOD'S vessels in the treasury of false idols
-overtook the king of Judah
note:Jehoiakin was the king of Judah and did evil in the sight of GOD. GOD handed him over to Nebuchadnezzar
-used the son's of GOD as slaves
- sleep left him
-had troubling dreams
-had a troubled spirit
-made a gold idol to himself
-made a decree that all were to worship him and the gold idol

How did the life of Daniel affect Nebuchadnezzar?

What can we learn from these people that we can apply to our own life?

What can we lean about GOD?

Daniel 4
1-17 Nebuchadnezzar has a second dream

'The tree grew large and became strong
And its height reached to the sky,
And it was visible to the end of the whole earth.
12
'Its foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant,
And in it was food for all.
The beasts of the field found shade under it,
And the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches,
And all living creatures fed themselves from it.
13 'I was looking in the visions in my mind as I lay on my bed, and behold, an angelic watcher, a holy one, descended from heaven.
14
'He shouted out and spoke as follows:
" Chop down the tree and cut off its branches,
Strip off its foliage and scatter its fruit;
Let the beasts flee from under it
And the birds from its branches.
15
"Yet leave the stump with its roots in the ground,
But with a band of iron and bronze around it
In the new grass of the field;
And let him be drenched with the dew of heaven,
And let him share with the beasts in the grass of the earth.
16
"Let his mind be changed from that of a man
And let a beast's mind be given to him,
And let seven periods of time pass over him.
17
"This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers
And the decision is a command of the holy ones,
In order that the living may know
That the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind,
And bestows it on whom He wishes
And sets over it the lowliest of men."

v.19-28 Daniel Interprets the Vision

The tree is Nebuchadnezzar that became large and grew strong reached to the sky and his dominion to the end of the earth. The decree of the Most High that the king be driven away from mankind and his dwelling place be with the beast of the field for a period of seven. Seven of time will pass until the king recognize that the Most High is ruler over realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.

v.26 26 'And in that it was commanded to leave the stump with the roots of the tree, your kingdom will be assured to you after you recognize that it is Heaven that rules.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Question: I find this very interesting that the Most High tells him his future. Why do you think he did that?
v.27 27 'Therefore, O king, may my advice be pleasing to you: break away now from your sins by doing righteousness and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a prolonging of your prosperity.'
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!All he had to do was repent!
v.28 Nebuchadnezzar did not repent and it all came true.
v.30 30 "The king reflected and said, 'Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?'
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Pride.
v.31-33 Nebuchadnezzar was driven away from mankind.
v.34-But at the end of that time Nebuchadnezzar raised his head toward heaven and he blessed the Most High and honored Him who lives forever....
v.37 37 "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride."

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!What can we learn about GOD from this chapter? Somehow I think I am missing something. I am surprised that GOD gave Nebuchadnezzar forewarning and a chance to repent. Do you think GOD does this for us and we don't see it in our life?

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!16 "Let his mind be changed from that of a man And let a beast's mind be given to him, And let seven periods of time pass over him!
Wonder what seven periods of time is?