The Lord of Heaven & Earth, Ruler of the Nations
I. Job 12–This is a truth understood from ancient times.
Vs 1-6 Job’s defense: He has understanding as well! He knows the Lord is Sovereign in his trial. Notice
margin in verse 5>
Vs 7-9 God’s creatures have more understanding than Job’s counselors. Remember Psalm 148? Job pre-dates
Psalms by many centuries.
Vs 10 The ultimate truth: (9b “The hand of the LORD has done this, In Whose Hand is the life
of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.”
Vs 13-25 God’s Ultimate Sovereignty over ALL the affairs of mankind on the earth.
Vs 24-25 Job’s preface to Nebuchadnezzar’s lesson.
II. Daniel 2-4 A lesson from Hebrew history! Blessings in captivity!
Chapter 2:
Vs 1-12 Nebuchadnazzer’s demand of his “wise men”. “Tell me what I dreamed and give me the interpretation of what it means.”
Vs 14-23 Daniel appeals to the God of Heaven–first 2 of 5 “God of Heaven” references, vs 18 & 19.
Vs 18 Daniel and friends seek to obtain mercy as in Heb. 4:16.
Vs 20b “Wisdom and might are His.” Wisdom without might would just be a nice thought. Might
without wisdom would be monstrous!
Vs 21 Daniel states the ultimate authority of the God of Heaven.
Vs 24-45 Daniel gives the dream and explains it.
Vs 28, 37, 44 Daniel again refers to the “God of Heaven.”
Note: While the prophecy of the four kingdoms gets most of the press nowadays, that isn’t our focus. The NIV Study Bible has a good illustration of the image with the kingdoms listed, the Chaldeans, the Medo-Persian empire, Greece/Alexander, and Rome if you are interested.
Vs 37 “The God of Heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength and glory.” Continuing to Vs 38 ...”He
has given them (lands & people) into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all—you are this head of gold.”
Vs 44 The rulers of the earth are but dust in the Will and Purpose of the God of Heaven to set up His Eternal
Kingdom, the Kingdom of the Son of His Love!
Vs 46-49 Nebuchadnezzar believes–sort of. Notice: “Truly your God.” Blessing comes to Daniel and his 3
friends.
Chapter 3: The “Wow” of the moment soon forgotten!
Vs 1-7 Neb. makes and image of gold, apparently to celebrate his grand status as the image’s golden head!
Vs 8-18 S, M, & A chose to obey the God of Heaven instead of the golden head, even if the God of Heaven
chooses not to deliver them, much to Nebs’ fury (vs 13 & 19).
Vs 19-25 The rage and fury of an overheated king is no match for King of Kings.
Vs 26-30 S, M, & A’s God is now the Most High God (vs 26), “because there is no other God Who can deliver
like this.” Sounds pretty good, but here comes chapter 4.
Chapter 4: Nebuchadnazzar’s second dream.
Vs 1-18 Neb. relates his dream.
Vs 2 Neb. speaks of the Most High God, as in 3:26 and this name is used 5 more times in this chapter, a total of 7 times!
Vs 3 He seems to be getting it!!! Bud don’t jump to conclusions.
Vs 8 Note his reference to “the name of my god.”
Vs 9 He views Daniel as “chief of the magicians”, but he considers him kind of special “because I know that the
spirit of the Holy God is in you” (also vs 18) and you can explain the hard stuff to me!
Vs 17 Even the purpose of the dream is made plain to him! God is Sovereign over the nations!!!
Vs 19-27 Daniels’ interpretation: Neb, this is going to happen because you still don’t get it!
Vs 25 You are going to live with the beasts of the field, the creatures of the Most High God, “until you know
that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever He chooses.”
Vs 26 The kingdom will be returned to you , “After you come to know that Heaven Rules.” (God of Heaven)
Vs 28-33 Neb’s a real slow learner. The dream wasn’t enough, he had to go through it all, “until you know
that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he chooses.” (Vs 32)
Vs 34-37 Nebuchadnezzar’s Praise to the Most High God. Notice that the Most High God is now the King of
Heaven in verse 37.
Question: Do we believe everything in Neb’s praise statement? Do we act like it?
“He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His Hand or say to Him, “What have you done”.
Daniel 5:17-30 Hear the warning to Belshazzar, Nebuchadnazzar’s son!!! “And the God Who holds your breath in His Hand and OWNS ALL YOUR WAYS, you have not glorified!!! (Remember Job 12:10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
“But that is all Old Testament. The New Testament is more enlightened.”
Consider: Acts 2:22-24 This God’s Sovereign control is absolutely central to the setting up of the Kingdom of the Son of His Love. In this sermon (Acts 2:14-39), Peter is proclaiming the fulfillment of Daniel 2:44 (and also Daniel 9:23-27)
Acts 4:23-31 Notice how they begin their prayer in vs 24, “Lord, You are God, Who made heaven, and earth and the sea, and all that is in them.” Pay attention to vs 27-28 This is the application of the truth that Neb. learned the hard way! This is earth shaking belief!!!
This is our God, the God worthy of all our trust, worship and praise.
I. Job 12–This is a truth understood from ancient times.
Vs 1-6 Job’s defense: He has understanding as well! He knows the Lord is Sovereign in his trial. Notice
margin in verse 5>
Vs 7-9 God’s creatures have more understanding than Job’s counselors. Remember Psalm 148? Job pre-dates
Psalms by many centuries.
Vs 10 The ultimate truth: (9b “The hand of the LORD has done this, In Whose Hand is the life
of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.”
Vs 13-25 God’s Ultimate Sovereignty over ALL the affairs of mankind on the earth.
Vs 24-25 Job’s preface to Nebuchadnezzar’s lesson.
II. Daniel 2-4 A lesson from Hebrew history! Blessings in captivity!
Chapter 2:
Vs 1-12 Nebuchadnazzer’s demand of his “wise men”. “Tell me what I dreamed and give me the interpretation of what it means.”
Vs 14-23 Daniel appeals to the God of Heaven–first 2 of 5 “God of Heaven” references, vs 18 & 19.
Vs 18 Daniel and friends seek to obtain mercy as in Heb. 4:16.
Vs 20b “Wisdom and might are His.” Wisdom without might would just be a nice thought. Might
without wisdom would be monstrous!
Vs 21 Daniel states the ultimate authority of the God of Heaven.
Vs 24-45 Daniel gives the dream and explains it.
Vs 28, 37, 44 Daniel again refers to the “God of Heaven.”
Note: While the prophecy of the four kingdoms gets most of the press nowadays, that isn’t our focus. The NIV Study Bible has a good illustration of the image with the kingdoms listed, the Chaldeans, the Medo-Persian empire, Greece/Alexander, and Rome if you are interested.
Vs 37 “The God of Heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength and glory.” Continuing to Vs 38 ...”He
has given them (lands & people) into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all—you are this head of gold.”
Vs 44 The rulers of the earth are but dust in the Will and Purpose of the God of Heaven to set up His Eternal
Kingdom, the Kingdom of the Son of His Love!
Vs 46-49 Nebuchadnezzar believes–sort of. Notice: “Truly your God.” Blessing comes to Daniel and his 3
friends.
Chapter 3: The “Wow” of the moment soon forgotten!
Vs 1-7 Neb. makes and image of gold, apparently to celebrate his grand status as the image’s golden head!
Vs 8-18 S, M, & A chose to obey the God of Heaven instead of the golden head, even if the God of Heaven
chooses not to deliver them, much to Nebs’ fury (vs 13 & 19).
Vs 19-25 The rage and fury of an overheated king is no match for King of Kings.
Vs 26-30 S, M, & A’s God is now the Most High God (vs 26), “because there is no other God Who can deliver
like this.” Sounds pretty good, but here comes chapter 4.
Chapter 4: Nebuchadnazzar’s second dream.
Vs 1-18 Neb. relates his dream.
Vs 2 Neb. speaks of the Most High God, as in 3:26 and this name is used 5 more times in this chapter, a total of 7 times!
Vs 3 He seems to be getting it!!! Bud don’t jump to conclusions.
Vs 8 Note his reference to “the name of my god.”
Vs 9 He views Daniel as “chief of the magicians”, but he considers him kind of special “because I know that the
spirit of the Holy God is in you” (also vs 18) and you can explain the hard stuff to me!
Vs 17 Even the purpose of the dream is made plain to him! God is Sovereign over the nations!!!
Vs 19-27 Daniels’ interpretation: Neb, this is going to happen because you still don’t get it!
Vs 25 You are going to live with the beasts of the field, the creatures of the Most High God, “until you know
that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever He chooses.”
Vs 26 The kingdom will be returned to you , “After you come to know that Heaven Rules.” (God of Heaven)
Vs 28-33 Neb’s a real slow learner. The dream wasn’t enough, he had to go through it all, “until you know
that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he chooses.” (Vs 32)
Vs 34-37 Nebuchadnezzar’s Praise to the Most High God. Notice that the Most High God is now the King of
Heaven in verse 37.
Question: Do we believe everything in Neb’s praise statement? Do we act like it?
“He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His Hand or say to Him, “What have you done”.
Daniel 5:17-30 Hear the warning to Belshazzar, Nebuchadnazzar’s son!!! “And the God Who holds your breath in His Hand and OWNS ALL YOUR WAYS, you have not glorified!!! (Remember Job 12:10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
“But that is all Old Testament. The New Testament is more enlightened.”
Consider: Acts 2:22-24 This God’s Sovereign control is absolutely central to the setting up of the Kingdom of the Son of His Love. In this sermon (Acts 2:14-39), Peter is proclaiming the fulfillment of Daniel 2:44 (and also Daniel 9:23-27)
Acts 4:23-31 Notice how they begin their prayer in vs 24, “Lord, You are God, Who made heaven, and earth and the sea, and all that is in them.” Pay attention to vs 27-28 This is the application of the truth that Neb. learned the hard way! This is earth shaking belief!!!
This is our God, the God worthy of all our trust, worship and praise.