但以理書4:28-37

4:28 這事都臨到尼布甲尼撒王。

4:29 過了十二個月，他遊行在巴比倫王宮裡（原文是上）。

4:30 他說：「這大巴比倫不是我用大能大力建為京都，要顯我威嚴的榮耀嗎？」

4:31 這話在王口中尚未說完，有聲音從天降下，說：「尼布甲尼撒王啊，有話對你說，你的國位離開你了。

4:32 你必被趕出離開世人，與野地的獸同居，吃草如牛，且要經過七期。等你知道至高者在人的國中掌權，要將國賜與誰就賜與誰。」

4:33 當時這話就應驗在尼布甲尼撒的身上，他被趕出離開世人，吃草如牛，身被天露滴濕，頭髮長長，好像鷹毛；指甲長長，如同鳥爪。

4:34 日子滿足，我─尼布甲尼撒舉目望天，我的聰明復歸於我，我便稱頌至高者，讚美尊敬活到永遠的上帝。他的權柄是永有的；他的國存到萬代。

4:35 世上所有的居民都算為虛無；在天上的萬軍和世上的居民中，他都憑自己的意旨行事。無人能攔住他手，或問他說，你做甚麼呢？

4:36 那時，我的聰明復歸於我，為我國的榮耀、威嚴，和光耀也都復歸於我；並且我的謀士和大臣也來朝見我。我又得堅立在國位上，至大的權柄加增於我。

4:37 現在我─尼布甲尼撒讚美、尊崇、恭敬天上的王；因為他所做的全都誠實，他所行的也都公平。那行動驕傲的，他能降為卑。

All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar.  At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon,  and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?”  While the words were still in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you,  and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.”  Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws.

At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever,       

for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,

and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;

  all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,

and he does according to his will among the host of heaven

and among the inhabitants of the earth;

and none can stay his hand

or say to him, “What have you done?”

  At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me.  Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

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一年後尼布甲尼撒王的夢應驗了，等到他恢復理性與權位之後，他就頌讚上帝。但以理的勸諫可能有點用，不過一年之後巴比倫王終於還是故態復萌，導致上帝的警告應驗在他身上。因為他驕傲地說：「這大巴比倫不是我用大能大力建為京都，要顯我威嚴的榮耀嗎？」

從尼布甲尼撒王的事讓我們知道：一個正在順境中的人，能不能了解自己不一定能夠掌握一切？能不能謙卑的聽進去這世界另有主宰？上帝對巴比倫王還算不錯，當他悔改後又能得回王權，在社會中常見的狀況是「驕傲帶來無法復原的敗亡」。我們自己能夠隨時保持謙卑嗎？

故此，我們要將榮耀歸給上帝，不要將榮耀歸給自己，尤其是覺得自己有所作為的時候，更是要謙卑自己，尊榮上帝！因為事實上，一切都是上帝的作為，是上帝該得榮耀，不是我們能被尊榮什麼！尼布甲尼撒王是我們的借鏡，一定要學習將榮耀歸給上帝！

歌羅西書1:28

我們傳揚他，是用諸般的智慧，勸戒各人，教導各人，要把各人在基督裡完完全全地引到上帝面前。

He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.

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                   這句話的意思是要人在基督裡成為一個成熟人，意思是說，「我們領人信耶穌基督為救主」只是入門，我們還要教導他們成為一位成熟的基督徒，也就是要他們的生命品質有所改變，就是要基督的生命成形在每一個信主的人身上！

    這是牧者要努力之處，也是教會弟兄姊妹要彼此勉勵，讓大家的生命真正成熟長大，而不是一直停留在吃奶的階段，只是想到自己的需要，而不是長大成人成為服事別人的人！

    這對教會的成長是一個很重要的指標，教會不適人數多的虛胖，教會要實實在在有基督生命的展現，這就要有實實在在的靈命品格，才能發揮出教會是基督的身體之特質。而要做到此就是要大家齊心努力，「用諸般的智慧，勸戒各人，教導各人」！

但以理書4:19-27

4:19 於是稱為伯提沙撒的但以理驚訝片時，心意驚惶。王說：「伯提沙撒啊，不要因夢和夢的講解驚惶。」伯提沙撒回答說：「我主啊，願這夢歸與恨惡你的人，講解歸與你的敵人。

4:20 你所見的樹漸長，而且堅固，高得頂天，從地極都能看見；

4:21 葉子華美，果子甚多，可作眾生的食物；田野的走獸住在其下；天空的飛鳥宿在枝上。

4:22 「王啊，這漸長又堅固的樹就是你。你的威勢漸長及天，你的權柄管到地極。

4:23 王既看見一位守望的聖者從天而降，說：『將這樹砍伐毀壞，樹墩卻要留在地內，用鐵圈和銅圈箍住；在田野的青草中，讓天露滴濕，使他與地上的獸一同吃草，直到經過七期。』

4:24 「王啊，講解就是這樣：臨到我主我王的事是出於至高者的命。

4:25 你必被趕出離開世人，與野地的獸同居，吃草如牛，被天露滴濕，且要經過七期。等你知道至高者在人的國中掌權，要將國賜與誰就賜與誰。

4:26 守望者既吩咐存留樹墩，等你知道諸天掌權，以後你的國必定歸你。

4:27 王啊，求你悅納我的諫言，以施行公義斷絕罪過，以憐憫窮人除掉罪孽，或者你的平安可以延長。」

19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was dismayed for a while, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king answered and said, "Belteshazzar, let not the dream or the interpretation alarm you." Belteshazzar answered and said, "My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you and its interpretation for your enemies! 20 The tree you saw, which grew and became strong, so that its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth, 21 whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which beasts of the field found shade, and in whose branches the birds of the heavens lived— 22 it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong. Your greatness has grown and reaches to heaven, and your dominion to the ends of the earth. And because the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, 'Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field, and let him be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven periods of time pass over him,' 24 this is the interpretation, O king:It is a decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king, 25 that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will. 26 And as it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be confirmed for you from the time that you know that Heaven rules. 27 Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you:break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity."

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    但以理解釋尼布甲尼撒王的夢，表明上帝要管教巴比倫王，讓他知道誰真正掌權。看起來尼布甲尼撒王和但以理的關係不錯，所以他能察覺但以理的猶豫，也願意鼓勵但以理照實說出夢境的講解。但以理也很謹慎的先陳明王的威榮，再講負面的警告。

    從這裡看見但以理趁機勸告尼布甲尼撒王：「以施行公義斷絕罪過，以憐憫窮人除掉罪孽，或者你的平安可以延長。」

    因為歷史上的尼布甲尼撒王崇尚建設，甚至建了「空中花園」成為當時的世界七大奇景之一。因此很可能不太理會勞工的死活，但以理趁機建議巴比倫王去惡從善。

    這也看出基督徒在社會上要站在什麼角度說話，不是巴結有權勢者，而是要照顧弱勢與邊緣者，因為這是上帝託付之使命，因為上帝知道他們發聲的機會很少，並且不被人注意，而那些既得利益者卻常打壓他們，不肯分一點給他們，使他們得不到他們應得的，這就是不公義，是上帝所不喜悅的！

但以理書4:4-18

4:4 「我尼布甲尼撒安居在宮中，平順在殿內。

4:5 我做了一夢，使我懼怕。我在床上的思念，並腦中的異象，使我驚惶。

4:6 所以我降旨召巴比倫的一切哲士到我面前，叫他們把夢的講解告訴我。

4:7 於是那些術士、用法術的、迦勒底人、觀兆的都進來，我將那夢告訴了他們，他們卻不能把夢的講解告訴我。

4:8 末後那照我神的名，稱為伯提沙撒的但以理來到我面前，他裡頭有聖神的靈，我將夢告訴他說：

4:9 『術士的領袖伯提沙撒啊，因我知道你裡頭有聖神的靈，甚麼奧祕的事都不能使你為難。現在要把我夢中所見的異象和夢的講解告訴我。』

4:10 「我在床上腦中的異象是這樣：我看見地當中有一棵樹，極其高大。

4:11 那樹漸長，而且堅固，高得頂天，從地極都能看見，

4:12 葉子華美，果子甚多，可作眾生的食物；田野的走獸臥在蔭下，天空的飛鳥宿在枝上；凡有血氣的都從這樹得食。

4:13 「我在床上腦中的異象，見有一位守望的聖者從天而降。

4:14 大聲呼叫說：『伐倒這樹！砍下枝子！搖掉葉子！拋散果子！使走獸離開樹下，飛鳥躲開樹枝。

4:15 樹墩卻要留在地內，用鐵圈和銅圈箍住，在田野的青草中讓天露滴濕，使他與地上的獸一同吃草，

4:16 使他的心改變，不如人心；給他一個獸心，使他經過七期（期：或譯年；本章同）。

4:17 這是守望者所發的命，聖者所出的令，好叫世人知道至高者在人的國中掌權，要將國賜與誰就賜與誰，或立極卑微的人執掌國權。』

4:18 「這是我─尼布甲尼撒王所做的夢。伯提沙撒啊，你要說明這夢的講解；因為我國中的一切哲士都不能將夢的講解告訴我，惟獨你能，因你裡頭有聖神的靈。」

4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and prospering in my palace. 5 I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me. 6 So I made a decree that all the wise men of Babylon should be brought before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers came in, and I told them the dream, but they could not make known to me its interpretation. 8 At last Daniel came in before me—he who was named Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods —and I told him the dream, saying, 9 "O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too difficult for you, tell me the visions of my dream that I saw and their interpretation. 10 The visions of my head as I lay in bed were these:I saw, and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great. 11 The tree grew and became strong, and its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth. 12 Its leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, and the birds of the heavens lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it.

13 "I saw in the visions of my head as I lay in bed, and behold, a watcher, a holy one, came down from heaven. 14 He proclaimed aloud and said thus: 'Chop down the tree and lop off its branches, strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts flee from under it and the birds from its branches. 15 But leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, amid the tender grass of the field. Let him be wet with the dew of heaven. Let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from a man's, and let a beast's mind be given to him; and let seven periods of time pass over him. 17 The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men. ' 18 This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. And you, O Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation, but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you."

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    在古時人對夢境不了解，常常把它拿來當成預測未來的根據，尤其是權力大的人，對未來越是不安，對夢境看重的程度更是超過其他人，所以尼布甲尼撒王對自己得夢境十分重視非得要人解開或詮釋。

    也因此，上帝安排但以理來向尼布甲尼撒王說話，讓上帝的作為顯明。但是，在今日上帝已經將聖經賜給我們，我們就以聖經為上帝的話語來與上帝相交，不再透過夢境。不過，解說與詮釋上帝話語的人還是需要，因為人常常會隨己意曲解聖經。

    因此，我們要虛心學習釋經的原則，也要求上帝給我們智慧，讓握們可以勝盪且準確的應用聖經在我們的情境中，這也是為甚麼需要有講道的人來傳講上帝的話語。