Do Historical Details Matter in the Old Testament?
Ben Fallon: Paul, in the last episode of Ask Paul Tripp, “Episode 88,” Sandy was asking about your interpretation and application of the book of Esther. Today is somewhat related from Joseph, who asks, in his own words, about this “non-essential detail.” He was reading the August 30th entry from New Morning Mercies, where you write, on Daniel, chapter 4, and King Nebuchadnezzar's humiliation, you say:
The pride of the king had been destroyed by the finger of God. We don't know for sure how long Nebuchadnezzar was in that humiliated, animalistic state, but we do know that when he rose out of it and his senses returned, his choking arrogance had been replaced with confidence.
But then Joseph goes on to point out that in Daniel, chapter 4, there are four references to this phrase, “seven periods of time pass over.” So, he wants to know, does “seven periods of time” mean seven years? And more importantly, why do you say, “We don't know,” when there is detail in the chapter? But I guess then, the larger question behind Joseph's question is, I think, this, “Do these types of historical details in Scripture matter, particularly in the Old Testament? How should we read them, interpret them, and apply them to our everyday Christian lives right here, right now? If, as 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” or Paul, as you like to say, “every single word,” then shouldn't we be paying attention to these ever, single-word details in the Old Testament?” Can you take some more time to answer this question and interpret and apply the details of King Nebuchadnezzar's humiliation for us?
Paul Tripp: Well, I want to answer this question about this “seven periods of time” that's mentioned in Nebuchadnezzar by remembering what the story is about again, because that will set up how we should look at that number that's there in Scripture. The story of Nebuchadnezzar is in the Bible to remind us of the seriousness and danger of self-glory. There's probably no more graphic story of self-glory in all the Bible than the story of Nebuchadnezzar. And even though God had warned Nebuchadnezzar, and even though God had granted him an entire year to turn and repent, think about that, he refused to listen. And after God's year of patience, we find Nebuchadnezzar on the roof of his palace overlooking Babylon and saying, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” Wow! He was utterly unrepentant and unchanged.
So, as God had warned, God made him like an animal, eating the grass of the field. And this is where this “seven periods of time” comes in. There's a hint in this historical account, this is very important, that the humiliation of Nebuchadnezzar isn't the humiliation of condemnation, but rather the humiliation of transformation. The indication of that is that the humiliation would last for “seven periods of time.” Now, this “period of time” is purposely left vague because it's not put in there so you can make some kind of historical calculation. We don't actually know what the periods of time were. If you don't know what the periods of time were, then you don't know what “seven” of them is. But the number is there to let you know that this humiliation into an animalistic state would not last forever, that God wasn't completely condemning Nebuchadnezzar to be like that for the rest of his life, that it would be for a limited period of time. So, in this situation, we have a purposely vague number because the purpose of the number is not for you to make a numeric calculation, but to know that whatever God is doing is discipline of Nebuchadnezzar, not condemnation.
So whenever you approach numbers in Scripture, you should always ask yourself the question, “What is the role of this number that I'm being given right now?” This one is purposely vague because it's just pointed to the fact that this humiliation would not last forever, and as a matter of fact, it doesn't. Nebuchadnezzar rises out of this horrible period that he went through as a transformed man. And then, he speaks a poem to the glory of the sovereignty of God.
I just have to say this, every time I read this story, I think of the humiliation of another king. This king faced horrible public humiliation; the difference is that he was perfect. And his humiliation was bearing the penalty for the sins that he did not commit. This humiliation was not for the purpose of transformation–it was condemnation. This king would die, again, not for his own sins, but for sins of the others, of others. King Jesus died a humiliating death. But his humiliation was not forever because in three days he rose victorious out of death and then ascended to the right hand of the Father.
Jesus was willing to be humiliated so that we would be, someday, exalted and live and reign with him forever. I love this question about this “seven periods of time” because it gets me talking about Jesus because Jesus is a better king who gave his life for the ransom of many!
BF: Well, if you want to look for Jesus in every detail, story, and passage in the Bible, I want to recommend our free teaching series called “Mining for Treasure.” Paul Tripp Ministries live-streamed this event from the Museum of the Bible, and Paul taught three sessions on how to read, interpret, and apply Scripture to everyday life. That free video resource, with a study guide and discussion questions, is available again completely free at paultripp.com/treasure.