Commentary on Daniel, Chapter 4 · Moral observations
6. Morall observations.
1. Observ. Worldly and carnall men doe onelyonly craue the helpe of the godly in the time of neede.
v. 5. Till at the last Daniel came before me. If the Soothsayers and Sorcerers could hauehave serued Nabuchadnezzers turne, he would not hauehave sought vntounto Daniel: but now all other meanes fayling him, he craueth his helpe to expound the dreame: like as men in their health regard not the physitians, but in their sicknes runne vntounto them: So Ieroboam when Abiah his some was sicke, sent vntounto Ahiah the Prophet, 2. king. 14.
2. Observ. Witches and Sorcerers not to be sought vntounto.
Nabuchadnezzer called all his wise men together, to vnfold the secret of his dreame, but they could doe him no good: by which we are taught, not to runne vntounto any such for helpe: 1. because they can not helpe, they are both ignorant, and know nothing, and of no power, and can doe little, as is euident in these Chaldean wizzards, who did but deceiue and abuse the king. 2. Such doe vse the conference of wicked spirits, and therefore to goe vntounto such, were to forsake God: As Ahaziah in …eeking vntounto Beelzebub the god of Ekron, did therein denie that there was a God in Israel, 2. King. 1.
3. Observ. Prosperitie is daungerous.
v. 9. The boughes thereof were faire, and the fruit much. Nabuchadnezzer in his flourishing and prosperous state is compared to a good tree both faire and fruitfull: this his prosperitie did lift vp his heart, and made him proud, and therefore his boughes were broken off, to make him know himselfe: So riches and abundance are but a snare to them, which know not how to vse them: therefore the wise man prayeth that God would not giuegive him riches, least I be full and denie thee, Prov. 30. 9. They say that the palme tree will not grow in a sat ground, but in a light and sandie: and if the soyle be strong and fertile, they must cast salt and ashes at the roote to qualifie the strength of the ground: So if prosperitie be not seasoned with the salt of grace, it is vnfruitfull and vnprofitable. Pintus.
4. Observ. Ministers must be faithfull in deliuering the truth, though it be not pleasing.
As Daniel vers. 2. deliuereth the interpretation to the king of this fearefull and terrible dreame, though he knew it should not be welcome vntounto him: so must Ministers in their office be faithfull, as the Apostle saith, It is required of the disposers, that eueryevery one be found faithfull, 1. Cor. 4. 2. They must feare rather to offend God, then to displease men. So the Lord saith to his Prophet, Crie aloud, spare not, lift vp thy voice like a trumpet: and shew my people their transgression, &c. Eli was iudged for sparing and forbearing his wicked sonnes; 1. Sam. 2. and the false prophets are threatned, for flattering the people, and sowing pillowes vnderunder their elbowes, Esech. 13. and the watchmen, which tell not the people of the sword comming, shall beare their sinne: the Lord will require their blood at his hand, Esec. 33. 6.
5. Observ. We must looke vntounto Gods prouidence in our affliction.
So Daniel saith, c. 2. 21. It is the decree of the most high, which is come vponupon my Lord the king: When the Lord layeth his hand vponupon his children, they must looke vntounto him that correcteth them, and humble themselues before him, and not murmure against him, seeing it commeth not by chaunce, but as it pleaseth the diuine prouidence to dispose, as the Prophet Dauid excellently saith, I held my peace because it was thy doing, Psal. 39. 4.
6. Observ. Of the vtilitie and benefit that commeth of true and effectuall repentance.
V. 33. My glorie and beautie was restored vntounto me, &c. Nebuchadnezzar after his seauen yeares humiliation, is restored vntounto as great honour as euer he was: So Iob after he had beene afflicted, was raised vp to a more glorious and flourishing estate, then he had before: Dauid after his long time of persecution was established in the kingdome: so affliction, and if it worke true humiliation and repentance, bringeth greater ioy and comfort in the ende, as the Apostle saith, one light affliction which is but for a moment, causeth vntounto vsus a farre more excellent and eternall weight of glorie, 2. Cor. 4. 17.
7. Observ. Of the greatnesse of the sinne of pride, and how the Lord abhorreth it.
V. 28. While the proud word was in the kings mouth, whereby he boasted of his goodly buildings, which he had made not for Gods honour, but his owne, euen in the same moment did the Lord cast him downe from his princely throne. So Daniel saith, c. 5. 20. when his heart was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne: therefore let all those take heede by this example, whose hearts are lifted vp, ascribing their gifts and works to their owne wit, industrie, and strength, or making their owne glorie and praise, the ende and scope of all their doings: for the Scripture saith, the Lord resisteth the proud, 1. Pet. 5. 5.
8. Observ. God fighteth for vsus against the Deuill.
V. 27. According to his will he worketh in the armie of heauen. The Lord is the commander of the Angels and princes: both good and bad are subiect vntounto him: all things in heauen and earth are swayed according to his will, which is much to the comfort of Gods children, that nothing can hinder their saluation: neither Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, height nor depth, can separate them from the louelove of God in Christ, Rom. 8. 39. And so our Blessed Sauiour saith, My father is greater then all, and none can take you out of his hand, Iohn. 10. 29.