The digit 7 is used in the Bible more than 518

times helping to display God’s power, wisdom,

and might.

Seven days before the rain started God told Noah to enter the ark. Gen 7:1

In Genesis 2:1 In 6 day God created the heavens and the earth and all things there in. God rested on the seventh day not because He was tired, but because He was finished. He saw that all His creation was good.

The Jews were to sow crops for 6 years but on the seventh year the land was to rest.

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In Deuteronomy 7:1 there were seven nations all stronger than the Israelites who already possessed the promised land, yet God would allow the Israelites to posses the land.

The women of the land told Naomi that her daughter-in-law, Ruth who loved her, was better to her than seven sons that would have been born to Naomi. Ruth 4:15

The Passover which was the celebration of the Israelites being freed from Egypt was celebrated for seven days.

After crossing over the Jordan River, the first city to conquer was Jericho. Then seven priests carried seven trumpets in front of the ark for six days marching once around the city. Then on the seventh day they marched around the city seven times then blew their seven horns and the walls of that great city came tumbling down.

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King Nebuchadnezzar made a statue of gold and commanded all to worship the image. Three Jewish men, Shadrach, Meshack and Abed-nego would not worship the image. So the king ordered the furnace to be fired up seven times hotter than usual and had the men thrown in. God saved the men. They did not even smell of smoke, but the men that threw them in the furnace died from the great heat.

Nebuchadnezzar was King of the Babylonians and ruled over the most powerful empire in the world. God had allowed him to win battle after battle and come to power to teach the disobedient people of Israel a lesson. They were now working as slaves in his Kingdom. But success had gone to Nebuchadnezzar’s head and he was boastful and proud. He would not give any glory to God. He had Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego thrown into the fiery furnace for not bowing down and worshiping the statue. God delivered them.

Then one night the king had a strange dream.

In his dream he saw a very big tree. It was so big it grew right up to the sky and its leaves spread all over the whole world. The tree grew fruit which dropped down to feed many animals.

And many different birds lived among its huge branches.

While the king was looking at the tree an angel came down and ordered, ‘Cut down the tree, shake off the leaves and scatter the fruit. Drive the animals and birds away! Leave just the tree stump and fix a band of iron and brass around it.’

The king heard the angel talking about him. ‘Let grass grow on him, and rain fall on him, and let him live like an animal. He will live like an animal for seven years. The angel then said why this was going to happen to the king. ‘God is all powerful not you. You will learn that God rules over people and is in control.’

When the king woke up he ordered all the wise men in his kingdom to come to him. ‘Tell me what my dream means,’ he demanded. But none of the wise men, magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers could explain what the king’s dream meant.

At first the king called the wise men to tell the interpretation of his dream. Wise men were men of understanding and experience (Deut 1:13), experts about law and order (Esther 1:13), high ranking officials of the Kingdom (Esther 1:14) who can give wrong advice (Isaiah 19:11)

Then the king called for magicians. Men of trickery (Exodus 7:11, Jeremiah 27:9)

The astrologers are they who

prophesy by the stars

Isaiah 47:13. But the stars could

not tell the meaning of the dream

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The Chaldeans were a nation of people who often worked with the armies of Babylon. They were so wicked that God finally destroyed their lands. (Isiah 43:14, Jeremiah 25:12)

Soothsayers are people who are supposedly able to tell the future. God says not to listen to them for only God knows the future. Deuteronomy 18:14

Then Daniel, (his Babylonian name was Belteshazzar), who loved, trusted, and obeyed God came to see the king. ‘I know no secret troubles you,’ the king said to Daniel. ‘Explain my dream to me.’

Daniel asked God for help then he waited. An hour later God told Daniel what the king’s dream was all about.

Daniel went back to the king. ‘Tell me what the dream means –even if it is bad news! Daniel replied, ‘Well it is bad news and your enemies will be pleased.’

‘The tree you saw was you. It was cut down because you will be cut down. And you will be cut down to size for seven years.’

‘But why is this going to happen?’ the alarmed king asked. ‘It’s because you are wicked and don’t show any mercy to the poor,’ Daniel replied. ‘You are puffed up with pride and think you are more powerful than God.

‘Of course,’ Daniel continued, ‘if you repent and do what is right, God will not punish you.’

Daniel left the king and for a whole year nothing happened. The king stayed rich and healthy. His kingdom prospered and everything went well, until, one day he was looking at his magnificent palace and his heart swelled with pride.

‘This is my great empire,’ the king boasted. ‘I built it with my power. I am mighty. Look how important I have become.’

As soon as he had said those words the king heard a voice from above. ‘Oh King Nebuchadnezzar, the kingdom is departed from you.’ God told him that He was in control not the king.

Right away King Nebuchadnezzar became confused then totally lost his mind. All understanding left him.

He left his palace and ran off into the countryside. He just went wild.

The king was blown about by the wind … and soaked by the rain.

His fingernails grew long like a bird’s claws. He lived like a wild animal for seven years – then he got his mind back.

King Nebuchadnezzar had learned that God does whatever he likes in heaven and earth. None, not even a king can challenge Him or question what he does. The most high God lives for ever and ever. His kingdom never ends. He commands His armies and the people of the earth.

He was sane again and returned to the palace. ‘Blessed be the Most High God.

King Nebuchadnezzar was now a humbler man and a much better ruler for He realized that he was king of Babylon not by His power but because of God had allowed him to succeed

He wrote, ‘Now I, King Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol the King of Heaven. All His works are true and his ways are just. And God humbles those who walk in pride.’

Discussion Questions:

1. What is pride? Regard for one’s own standing or position, conceit. Lots of different definitions from self-esteem to conceit in our culture but in the Bible only one reference is positive. In 2 Chronicles 17:6 Jehoshaphat had pride in the Lord.

2. Is it wrong to have pride? Proverbs 16:18, 2 Chronicles 32:26, Psalm 10:4, Proverbs 11:2, 1 John 2:16

3. What was King Nebuchadnezzar’s problem. It was that he had a lot of wealth and power over a great kingdom and his pride brought punishment to him?

4. Why did the king call for the wisemen? His trust was in the people of his nation to tell the future. Daniel 4:6

5. Why do you think God made Belteshazzar to wait an hour before God told Daniel the meaning of the dream? Perhaps to let Daniel know the interpretation of the dream came from God not his own wisdom.

6. Was King Nebuchadnezzar’s problem that he had too much power and riches? His wealth and power was not his problem but his pride in himself to obtain his great wealth and power was his problem.

Estimate the measure of the miles from North to South and East to West. Estimate the size of the Kingdom. Was the size of this kingdom big enough for King Nebuchadnezzar to think he was so great and powerful?

Review Questions:1.True or False King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream about 7 fat cows and 7 skinny cows. (False)

2.True or False King Nebuchadnezzar asked Daniel to help him after he asked his own wise men. (True)

3.True or False King Nebuchadnezzar would be like an animal for 9 years. (False)

4.True or False Daniel was thrilled that God was finally going to punish this wicked king. (False)

5.True or False Daniel warned Nebuchadnezzar to turn from his sins so God would not have to punish him. (True)

6.True or False Two months after the dream King Nebuchadnezzar boasted about his power. (False)

7.True or False God punishes Nebuchadnezzar immediately while his boastful words were still in his mouth. (True)

8.Allow students to create True or False statements about the lesson for a game of review.

Lesson: God Humbles Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4) (ministry-to-children.com)

Is there anything wrong with this picture according to Daniel 4:25, 33. Should it be of concern if a picture has mistakes in it but the message is ok?

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Review questions for a review game of connect four. Student may read scripture before answering question. If can answer with out reading scripture then extra turn.

1. Who is telling the events in Daniel (4:1). King Nebuchadnezzar2. What did the king want for all the people of the Earth? Peace (4:1)3. Who caused the events of this chapter to King Nebuchadnezzar?

Most High God (4:2)4. According to King Nebuchadnezzar who is ruling for all generations?

God (4:3)5. As King Nebuchadnezzar was flourishing in his palace what happened

to him? Had a dream (4:4)6. How did the dream effect the King? Made him afraid and troubled

(4:5)7. Who did the king call to interpret the dream? Magicians, astrologers,

the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers (4:7)8. What was the Babylonian name for Daniel? (4:9) Belteshazzar9. Why did the king call for Daniel? The king knew that Daniel had the

spirit of God. And no dream troubles him. (4:9) 10. How did the tree look? Strong, reached heaven, much fruit, animals

sought shade under the tree, birds were fed by the tree (4:12)11. What did the Holy One from heaven do in the king’s dream? Cut tree

down, animals went away, but left the stump or it roots with a band of iron and brass, and it was wet with the dew of heaven. (4:14-15)

12. How did the heart of the king change? Heart changed from heart of man to heart of animal. (4:16)

13. How long did the king be like a beast: 7 years (4:16)14. What did Daniel tell the King to do for his dream to come true? Stop

sinning and show mercy to the poor (4:29)15. What happened to the king in 12 months after Daniel’s interpretation

since the king still believed in his great power? The dream came true and he lost his mind and acted like a beast. (4:33)

16. What did the King know about God at the end of 7 years behaving like an animal? “Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and His judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to humble” (4:37)