Questions:
1. Of what does the first verse remind you?
2. What of a “peace multiplied?”
3. Does Nebuchadnezzar show true repentance in the first three verses? Give reasons.
4. Is there any semblance between Nebuchadnezzar’s confession—and that of the wicked in the day of judgment?
5. God sent the dream to Nebuchadnezzar. But does it reveal also the state of his own mind? Do dreams reflect what is present in our conscious thoughts and lives?
6. Why did Nebuchadnezzar call his magicians, etc. instead of calling Daniel directly?
7. Did not the magicians give any interpretation?
8. In verse 8, Nebuchadnezzar mentions Daniel’s Babylonian name. Why should Nebuchadnezzar emphasize that?
9. In verse 9, what does Nebuchadnezzar mean when he speaks of “the spirit of the holy gods is in thee?”
10. What was remarkable about the tree Nebuchadnezzar saw?
11. Who was the “watcher” and “holy one?” Note: “watchers” in verse 17.
12. What happened to the tree? Why was the root preserved? What does it mean?
13. Verse 16 mentions that the “heart” would be changed from a man’s heart. Did Nebuchadnezzar understand this?
14. What are the “seven times” of verse 16?
15. Does verse 18 reveal again the idolatry of Nebuchadnezzar?
16. Why was Daniel “astonied for one hour” (vs. 19)?
17. What do you make of Daniel’s statement in verse 19?
18. What was the king’s great sin? Do others have such a sin too?
19. What would happen to the king—and for how long?
20. What was Daniel’s advice to the king (vs. 27)?
21. Why was the fulfillment of the dream delayed for a year? Was it God’s grace to Nebuchadnezzar?
22. What does Nebuchadnezzar reveal in verse 30? Did he not speak truly?
23. What is the significance of “the work was still in the king’s mouth” (vs. 31)?
24. Is there any symbolism in what happened to Nebuchadnezzar?
25. Is not verse 34 a true confession of faith?
26. Does verse 36 show that there was still the same sin in Nebuchadnezzar?
27. In what way does Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol God? How do we account for this?
28. Is there any reminder here of the coming of antichrist? How?
29. Why did God restore this wicked king to his throne? Was this a matter of God’s grace?
30. What can we learn concerning our own position before God in all of this?