Daniel 4 is an unusual chapter as it is Nebuchadnezzar's personal testimony of how he was humbled and then restored by God. It is the only chapter in the Bible written by a pagan king. So Nebuchadnezzar tells us that "I had a dream that made me afraid". He told it to his magicians who couldn't interpret it so he called Daniel. In the dream he saw a gigantic tree "that reached the sky... and was visible to the ends of the earth... on it was food for all... and it sheltered beasts and birds". Then came a messenger ordering the felling of the tree and leaving just the stump bound by iron and bronze. Then the tree (Nebuchadnezzar) "is given the mind of an animal till seven times (years) pass by for him". Then it's declared that it must be recognized that "the Most High is sovereign and gives the kingdoms of men to whom he wishes". Daniel interprets the dream and the tree represents Nebuchadnezzar himself and his empire, and God will remove him from his throne. Then the king will "live with the wild animals, eat grass like cattle and be drenched with the dew. He will stay like this until he acknowledges the sovereignty of God... the remaining stump means that you will be restored when you acknowledge that heaven rules". Daniel advises repentance and doing what is right. Then the dream comes to pass with Nebuchadnezzar becoming insane living like a wild mad animal, "his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird" until he recognized the supreme sovereignty of God. Then, and only then, does God restore his right mind, and he praises "the Most High; I honoured and glorified him who lives forever... and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before". Thus Nebuchadnezzar concludes: "All those who walk in pride God is able to humble!"
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