Daniel 4:11, commentary and pictures

The towering tree reaching to heaven and visible to the ends of the earth was Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom in its greatness, prosperity, power and worldwide extent. Its branches sheltering flocks and birds pictured peoples finding protection under his rule, showing that national government exists to protect and build up the nation and to care for those under its authority. That power, prosperity and extensive rule had been given by God for His glory, but became a source of pride and self-exaltation. The dream was God's explicit warning of danger and impending ruin, fulfilled when the tree was cut down and Nebuchadnezzar lost his reason for seven years because he followed his proud heart and failed to repent and honor God. It teaches that God gives light to lead to reform, and that refusing to receive and obey it forfeits its benefits and brings judgment, warning against trusting in self and human wisdom.

Tree Symbol and Setting

The tree is Nebuchadnezzar himself and his kingdom in its greatness, prosperity, power and worldwide extent. It grew strong and mighty and towered so high that its height reached to heaven and its sight extended to the end of all the earth, so that it could be seen throughout the earth. Its grandeur belongs to a dream God gave to warn of danger and impending ruin. Its later cutting down foretells his downfall and loss of reason for seven years after he failed to heed the warning to repent and honor God, when he would be humbled.

The lofty tree planted in the earth pictures his greatness and prosperity under that figure, meaning his kingdom with nations gathered under his sovereignty and firmly established in the hearts of loyal subjects. The shelter of its branches for flocks and herds from the mountains and hills and for birds of the air building their nests pictures peoples finding protection under his rule.

The verse belongs to another dream God gave Nebuchadnezzar after he saw the fourth figure with the three Hebrews in the fiery furnace and acknowledged that their God was the living God. He did not continue to walk in the light and lost the holy impression made upon his mind. It came during the height of Babylon's power, which stood within a succession of earthly kingdoms that would ultimately be superseded by God's everlasting kingdom.

The power, prosperity and extensive rule shown by the tree had been given by God for the glory of God. It became a source of pride and self-exaltation as he followed the imaginations of his proud heart and thought his kingdom should become more extensive and powerful still. The dream was given as a very explicit warning meant to trace out the end of all earthly things and the setting up of God's everlasting kingdom, but he turned the warning against himself.

True Purpose of Government

The strong, towering tree reaching to heaven and to the ends of the earth sets forth the true object and end of national government. It pictures the character of a government that fulfills God's purpose, a government that protects and builds up the nation and cares for those placed under its authority. The tree represented Nebuchadnezzar's rule at the time when he was a superior ruler, more compassionate toward his subjects than the ruler of any other heathen nation. He was then the greatest ruler and most powerful king of his time, with a strong and extensive prosperity given by God.

Government exists to give shelter and protection, as the tree gave shelter to the beasts of the field and the birds of the air. Rulers are set up to protect the weak, to relieve the needy, and to look after the widow and the fatherless. It is not for exalting one person to control the minds and practices of another, nor for directing people to follow human sayings and customs in opposition to what the Lord has said. It is not for putting a yoke upon fellow people, for dominating others with commanding You shall and You shall not prohibitions, or for lording it over God's heritage. God does not set up one person to rule another in this way, and every person is accountable to God for his own actions.

Warning Against Prideful Self-Trust

The towering height reaching to heaven and the visibility to the ends of the earth belong to a dream God gave to warn of danger and impending ruin. It was a very explicit warning meant to trace out the end of all earthly things and the setting up of God's everlasting kingdom. The tree was the king, whose greatness and power had grown mighty and extended widely, reflecting great prosperity and power God had given him. Its later cutting down foretold his downfall after he failed to heed the warning to repent and honor God. That humbling included loss of reason for seven years. He turned the warning against himself by following the imaginations of his proud heart and thinking his kingdom should become more extensive and powerful still.

The magicians, astrologers, soothsayers and Chaldeans could not make the dream known or interpret it. Those who do not love and fear God cannot understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven nor approach unto God who dwells in light unapproachable, while God's servants understand the things of God. Daniel therefore told the dream and its interpretation before the king, being esteemed for unswerving integrity, faithfulness in honoring God at all times and in all places without compromise for court position or even life, and unexcelled wisdom. His experience teaches that God gives people light to lead them to reform, and that refusing to receive and obey it means losing its benefits and bringing judgment. The record of his life warns against trusting in oneself and one's own wisdom or making human strength one's support.

The growth and greatness of the tree exposes self-exaltation in leadership. It warns against bringing into God's vineyard principles the Lord will not sustain or favor. That warning applies to the course of action in carrying on sanitarium and medical missionary work according to human wisdom rather than as God requires.