**The Dream of the Great Tree and the Humbling of King Nebuchadnezzar**

In the days when King Nebuchadnezzar ruled over the vast empire of Babylon, his heart swelled with pride at the might of his kingdom. The golden city, with its towering walls and hanging gardens, stood as a testament to his power. Yet, in the height of his glory, the Most High God would reveal His sovereignty in a way that would shake the king to his core.

One night, as Nebuchadnezzar lay upon his royal bed, his mind was troubled by a dream—a vision so vivid and terrifying that it robbed him of sleep. He saw before him a great tree, towering above the earth, its top reaching to the heavens. Its leaves were lush, its fruit abundant, and beneath its branches, the beasts of the field found shade, while the birds of the air nested in its limbs. It was a tree of majesty, providing for all.

But then, a watcher, a holy one from heaven, descended and proclaimed with a voice of authority: *”Chop down the tree and cut off its branches, strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts flee from under it and the birds from its branches. Yet leave the stump and its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, amid the tender grass of the field. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him.”*

The decree was given so that all living things might know that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of men and gives them to whomever He wills.

Terrified, Nebuchadnezzar summoned all the wise men of Babylon—the enchanters, the astrologers, the diviners—and demanded they interpret the dream. But none could tell him its meaning. At last, Daniel, the man in whom was the spirit of the holy gods, stood before the king. The king recounted his dream, and Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar in the Babylonian tongue, was astonished and troubled for a moment.

Seeing his distress, the king urged him to speak. Daniel replied, *”My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you, and its interpretation for your enemies!”* Then, with great solemnity, he revealed the meaning:

*”The great tree you saw, O king, is you. Your majesty has grown and become strong, reaching to the heavens, and your dominion to the ends of the earth. But the watcher’s decree is fixed by the Most High: you shall be driven from among men and dwell with the beasts of the field. You shall eat grass like an ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He will. And as it was commanded to leave the stump of the tree, so your kingdom shall be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules.”*

Daniel then pleaded with the king: *”Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.”*

But twelve months later, as Nebuchadnezzar walked upon the roof of his royal palace, surveying the splendor of Babylon, his heart swelled with arrogance. *”Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?”*

Before the words had fully left his lips, a voice came from heaven: *”O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you! You shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He will.”*

In that very hour, the word was fulfilled. Nebuchadnezzar was driven from men. He ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.

At the end of the appointed time, Nebuchadnezzar lifted his eyes to heaven, and his reason returned to him. He blessed the Most High, praising and honoring Him who lives forever:

*”His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and He does according to His will among the host of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. None can stay His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”*

Then his majesty and splendor were restored, and his counselors and lords sought him out. He was reestablished in his kingdom, and still more greatness was added to him.

From that day forward, Nebuchadnezzar no longer boasted in his own power but declared to all peoples: *”Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are right and His ways are just; and those who walk in pride He is able to humble.”*

Thus, the great king learned that even the mightiest of rulers are but instruments in the hands of the Sovereign Lord, who alone is worthy of all glory.