A Little History:
King Nebuchadnezzar, born in 634 BCE in Chaldea, southeastern Babylonia, is best known through the books of Daniel and Jeremiah as the king who stands against God. He was considered the greatest King of ancient Babylon and reigned from 630-561 BCE. His name means “Nebu, protect my eldest son” because he was the eldest son of Nabopolassar who founded the Babylonian empire.
Before becoming king, Nebuchadnezzar commanded armies from Assyria to Egypt. His victories made vassal states of all nations, including Judah when he captured the city of Ashkelon. When the Egyptians began to rebel against being a province of Babylon, Judah began to rebel too.
As King of Babylon, he strategically planned how to attack the Arabs as well as how to occupy Judah. The first resistance of the Jews against Babylonian armies resulted in the capture of Jerusalem on March 16, 597 BCE and the deporting of the King of Judah long with the noble citizens of Jerusalem to Babylon beginning the Babylonian captivity. Further resistance by the Jews against the armies resulted in the destruction of Jerusalem and ultimately the Temple taking the majority of Jews captive to Babylon while those that were able to escape scattered throughout the region.
Nebuchadnezzar pursued a policy of expansion claiming the grant of universal kingship by Marduk (another name for Bel) and having “no opponent from horizon to sky.” In his inaugural address, he called on Marduk: “O merciful Marduk, may the house that I have built endure forever, may I be satiated with its splendor, attain old age therein, with abundant offspring, and receive therein tribute of the kings of all regions, from all mankind” (Kerrigan, 39).
He married Amities of Media in order to create an alliance between the Medes and the Babylonians. He was known for building one of the ancient wonders of the world, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, to help his wife remember her homeland of Persia.
- What happens in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign?
2. What is the difference between magicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and Chaldeans?
Magician:
An astrologer:
A sorcerer:
Chaldeans:
3. What language did the Chaldeans speak?
4. What did Nebuchadnezzar require of those who he asked about the dream? Why did he make this request?
5. What evidence is given that Nebuchadnezzar was a violent king?
6. What is significant about Daniel 2:11?
7. What was the King’s decree that brought Daniel into the King’s presence?
8. What was Daniel’s response to the King’s decree?
9. What is Daniel’s response to God’s faithfulness?
A Little Manna:
Daniel’s blessing of God has been used in Jewish prayers specifically “May His great Name be blessed forever and ever.”
10. Who does Daniel give credit to for the dream’s interpretation?
11. From what you know of Nebuchadnezzar, how would Daniel’s response challenge the King?
12. After Daniel’s interpretation, how does the King respond?
13. What happens to Daniel?
14. Why do you think God revealed to Nebuchadnezzar through Daniel future kingdoms?
Selah:
This event was only two years into Nebuchadnezzar’s reign. The time of preparation for Daniel and the other boys was three years. Because of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, their time in preparation was cut short and they were given places of authority, and Daniel became a prominent member of the king’s court. Eunuchs were never made rulers over provinces or given authority over other men. This is where the controversy comes over whether or not these boys of noble birth were made eunuchs.
King Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
15. Describe the head of the statue. With which empire does it correlate?
16. Describe the chest and arms of the statue? With which empire does it correlate?
17. Describe the belly and thighs of the statue. With which empire does it correlate?
18. Describe the legs of the statue. With which empire does it correlate?
19. Describe the feet of the statue, along with the toes. With which empire does it correlate?
20. If all of these parts of the statue represent empires or kingdoms, what is the rock? What does it smash?
Zechariah 12:3
21. What is the final kingdom to be on earth?
Isaiah 2:2-3
Micah 4:1-2
Zechariah 8:2-4
Psalm 2:6
Psalm 48:2
Revelation 11:15
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