John Calvin Commentary Daniel 4:20-22

"The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth; whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was food for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the birds of the heavens 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." — Daniel 4:20-22 (ASV)

Here we see what I have touched upon: namely, how Daniel acted respectfully toward the king and thus was mindful of his prophetic duty, while he diligently performed the commands of God. We must notice this distinction, for nothing is more difficult for ministers of the Word than to maintain this middle course.

Some are always thundering under a pretense of zeal and forget that they are only men: they show no sign of benevolence but indulge in mere bitterness. Hence, they have no authority, and all their admonitions are hateful. Next, they explain God’s Word with pride and boasting, frightening sinners without humanity, pain, or sympathy.

Others, again, who are wicked and treacherous flatterers, gloss over the grossest iniquities. They criticize both Prophets and Apostles, believing the fervor of their zeal to have driven away all human feelings! In this way, they deceive miserable men and destroy them by their flattery. But our Prophet, like all the others, here shows how God’s servants should take a middle course.

Thus Jeremiah, when prophesying adversity, feels sorrow and bitterness of spirit, and yet does not turn aside from unsparing reproof and the severest threats, since both came from God (Jeremiah 9:1). The rest of the prophets also act in the same manner. Here Daniel, on the one hand, pities the king; on the other hand, knowing himself to be the herald of God’s anger, he is not frightened by any danger in setting before the king the punishment that he had despised.

From this, we understand why he was not dismayed. He felt no fear of the tyrant, although many do not dare to carry out their duty when an odious message is entrusted to them, which provokes the wicked and unbelievers to madness. Daniel, however, was not deterred by any such fear; he only wished God to act mercifully toward his king.

For he says here, Thou art king thyself. He does not speak with any doubt or hesitation, nor does he use obscurity or a number of excuses, but plainly announces that King Nebuchadnezzar is the one intended by the tree that he saw. Hence the tree which thou sawest is large and strong, under the shade of which the beasts of the field were dwelling, and in the boughs of which the birds of the air were making their nests: thou, says he, art the king. Why so? Thou hast become great and strong; thy magnitude has extended to the heavens, and thy power to the ends of the earth. Now, what follows?