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the fowls from his branches： nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth； even with a band of iron and brass； in the tender grass of the field； and let it be wet with the dew of heaven； and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth： let his heart be changed from man's； and let a beast's heart be given unto him； and let seven times pass over him。 This matter is by the decree of the watchers； and the demand by the word of the holy ones： to the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men； and giveth it to whomsoever He will； and setteth up over it the basest of men。〃
Greatly troubled by the dream； which was evidently a prediction of adversity； the king repeated it to 〃the magicians； the astrologers； the Chaldeans； and the soothsayers；〃 but although the dream was very explicit； none of the wise men could interpret it。
Once more in this idolatrous nation； testimony was to be borne to the fact that only those who love and fear God can understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven。 The king in his perplexity sent for his servant Daniel； a man esteemed for his integrity and constancy and for his unrivaled wisdom。
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When Daniel； in response to the royal summons； stood in the king's presence； Nebuchadnezzar said； 〃O Belteshazzar； master of the magicians； because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee； and no secret troubleth thee； tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen； and the interpretation thereof。〃 After relating the dream； Nebuchadnezzar said： 〃O Belteshazzar； declare the interpretation thereof； forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation： but thou art able； for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee。〃
To Daniel the meaning of the dream was plain； and its significance startled him。 He 〃was astonied for one hour； and his thoughts troubled him。〃 Seeing Daniel's hesitation and distress； the king expressed sympathy for his servant。 〃Belteshazzar；〃 he said； 〃let not the dream； or the interpretation thereof； trouble thee。〃
〃My lord；〃 Daniel answered； 〃the dream be to them that hate thee； and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies。〃 The prophet realized that upon him God had laid the solemn duty of revealing to Nebuchadnezzar the judgment that was about to fall upon him because of his pride and arrogance。 Daniel must interpret the dream in language the king could understand； and although its dreadful import had made him hesitate in dumb amazement； yet he must state the truth； whatever the consequences to himself。
Then Daniel made known the mandate of the Almighty。 〃The tree that thou sawest；〃 he said； 〃which grew； and was strong； whose height reached unto the heaven； and the sight thereof to all the earth； whose leaves were fair； and
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the fruit thereof much； and in it was meat for all； under which the beast of the field dwelt； and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation： it is thou； O king； that art grown and become strong： for thy greatness is grown； and reacheth unto heaven； and thy dominion to the end of the earth。
〃And whereas the king saw a Watcher and an Holy One coming down from heaven； and saying； Hew the tree down； and destroy it； yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth； even with a band of iron and brass； in the tender grass of the field； and let it be wet with the dew of heaven； and let his portion be with the beasts of the field； till seven times pass over him； this is the interpretation； O king； and this is the decree of the Most High； which is come upon my lord the king： that they shall drive thee from men； and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field； and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen； and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven； and seven times shall pass over thee； till thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men； and giveth it to whomsoever He will。 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots； thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee； after that thou shalt have known that the Heavens do rule。〃
Having faithfully interpreted the dream； Daniel urged the proud monarch to repent and turn to God； that by rightdoing he might avert the threatened calamity。 〃O king；〃 the prophet pleaded； 〃let my counsel be acceptable unto thee； and break off thy sins by righteousness； and thine iniquities
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by showing mercy to the poor； if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity。〃
For a time the impression of the warning and the counsel of the prophet was strong upon Nebuchadnezzar； but the heart that is not transformed by the grace of God soon loses the impressions of the Holy Spirit。 Self…indulgence and ambition had not yet been eradicated from the king's heart； and later on these traits reappeared。 Notwithstanding the instruction so graciously given him； and the warnings of past experience； Nebuchadnezzar again allowed himself to be controlled by a spirit of jealousy against the kingdoms that were to follow。 His rule； which heretofore had been to a great degree just and merciful； became oppressive。 Hardening his heart； he used his God…given talents for self…glorification； exalting himself above the God who had given him life and power。
For months the judgment of God lingered。 But instead of being led to repentance by this forbearance； the king indulged his pride until he lost confidence in the interpretation of the dream； and jested at his former fears。
A year from the time he had received the warning； Nebuchadnezzar； walking in his palace and thinking with pride of his power as a ruler and of his success as a builder； exclaimed； 〃Is not this great Babylon； that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power； and for the honor of my majesty？〃
While the proud boast was yet on the king's lips； a voice from heaven announced that God's appointed time of judgment
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had come。 Upon his ears fell the mandate of Jehovah： 〃O King Nebuchadnezzar； to thee it is spoken； The kingdom is departed from thee。 And they shall drive thee from men； and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field： they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen； and seven times shall pass over thee； until thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men； and giveth it to whomsoever He will。〃
In a moment the reason that God had given him was taken away； the judgment that the king thought perfect； the wisdom on which he prided himself； was removed； and the once mighty ruler was a maniac。 His hand could no longer sway the scepter。 The messages of warning had been unheeded； now； stripped of the power his Creator had given him； and driven from men； Nebuchadnezzar 〃did eat grass as oxen； and his body was wet with the dew of heaven； till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers； and his nails like birds' claws。〃
For seven years Nebuchadnezzar was an astonishment to all his subjects； for seven years he was humbled before all the world。 Then his reason was restored and； looking up in humility to the God of hea