Another dream from Nebuchadnezzar but this one is told from the King's point of view. Again, Daniel interprets the dream. This time, the one struck down is N. And the end result is that he praises God and recognizes the power and majesty of the Lord.
I like this one. I like the imagery of Babylon being a great and powerful city where there is fruit for everyone. I recognize that I am not supposed to feel empathy or sympathy for N or the Babylonians but they have so very much to admire.
The Babylonians were renown for their mathematics, astronomy and law code. Because of their position in the Middle East and their water sources, Babylon was the greenest part and fed an enormous amount of tradesmen, city officials, soldiers and artisans.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world.
However, their religions were a big conflict with the Jews. The Babylonians primarily worshipped Marduk and then the king. Marduk was also head of the pantheon of gods. Idols and temple worship were a common practice. To assimilate into Babylonian culture would mean renouncing the one God, ruler of the universe idea.
Daniel, while he has been placed in a high position, does not assimilate. This is one of the morals of this book. He does not shy away from telling N that he is doomed unless he confesses to the true God.
These stories were meant to inspire the Maccabees to hold fast during the besiegement of Jerusalem in the the 160s.
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