Daniel 4:19

[hotcoffee]

Daniel 4:19 Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.”

Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries!​

This is a pretty cool verse.

Nebuchadnezzar was a mean man. Daniel had already been taken by his home by this man. He had already been physically castrated. Daniel's friends had been thrown into a smelting furnace by this man because they stood up to him.

God had changed Nebuchadnezzar. Even Nebuchadnezzar, himself, had admitted as much saying that he was happy.

Now there was bad news to be given to Nebuchadnezzar. The news was so bad, no one wanted to face Nebuchadnezzar with the interpretation of this dream. Everyone was afraid of what Nebuchadnezzar might do to them if he snapped.

Unlike the others, Daniel is going to tell Nebuchadnezzar the truth. Daniel was a diplomat. When first captured and castrated, Daniel had negotiated a diet in direct contradiction to Nebuchadnezzar's orders.

So Daniel tells Nebuchadnezzar that he hopes the dream is not about the king. He tells Nebuchadnezzar that he hopes the dream is about the enemies of Nebuchadnezzar. This should disarm the mean king.

Smart guy.

 

[hotcoffee]

I'm reminded here of a tree I read in another book.

You all know I read the Book of Mormon. Now I'm not going to pretend that I am sure we are talking about the same tree. In fact, I'm not even sure why this other tree is haunting me so. But, I feel like I should write this for future discussion.

When Nebuchadnezzar conquered Judah, not all the tribes of Israel were captured. Some got away. The Book of Mormon claims that one family was led away by God and according to the Book they were led to build a boat which took them to the Americas.

Anyway, in the Book of Mormon, there's a tree. Everyone lines up to see this tree. They walk down a long path guided by what seems to be a rail of iron. This is quoted from the Book of Mormon.

1 Nephi 8:10 And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.

11 And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.

12 And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.​

It's interesting to me that trees are used so many times in the Bible to teach lessons. It was at the tree of knowledge where Eve met Satan for the first time.

Trees are also used to trace family roots in modern terms. Now Nebuchadnezzar is dealing with a terrifying dream about a tree and Daniel has to interpret the dream.

Trees.... are a good source of food and shelter.... or torment in a storm.....