What does Daniel 4:36 mean?
As soon as Nebuchadnezzar humbly acknowledged the Most High and praised Him, his sanity returned (Daniel 4:28–34). This was the purpose of his divinely appointed judgment (Daniel 4:22–27): to learn humility. Those who acknowledge God by trusting in His Son Jesus as Savior begin to see things, including themselves, from God's perspective (Romans 12:1–2; 1 Corinthians 2:14–16). Second Timothy 1:7 affirms that God has given believers "a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."Nebuchadnezzar's acknowledgement of the Lord also resulted in his restoration as Babylon's king. In fact, Nebuchadnezzar's reign was greater than it was before he acknowledged God's sovereign rule in his life and in affairs of government. Years later, Daniel would tell Nebuchadnezzar's successor, Belshazzar, that Nebuchadnezzar's glory was taken from him (Daniel 5:20) "until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will" (Daniel 5:21).
Daniel 4:28–37 records the fulfillment of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, which Daniel had faithfully interpreted (Daniel 4:4–27). As God said would happen, the king's arrogance is judged with humiliation and insanity. Only when Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges the supremacy of the Lord is he restored to his right mind. The passage returns to where the chapter began: with the king's praise for God's power and majesty (Daniel 4:1–3).
Daniel 4 opens with a proclamation in which Babylon's king, Nebuchadnezzar, declares what God has done for him. He recalls yet another frightening dream (Daniel 2:1). He sees a tree cut down to the stump, and a man made like an animal. Once again, only Daniel could interpret the dream's meaning. The news is terrible: the king will be driven insane for "seven periods of time" until he learns humility. A year later, this happens. Also as promised, Nebuchadnezzar humbles himself and regains his senses and his throne. He praises God for this miraculous work.
