Congregational Book Study, Week of February 16-22, 2026, Lessons I Learn from the Bible, Lessons 62, 63, Answers.

Congregational Book Study, February 16-22, 2026, Lessons I Learn from the Bible, Lessons 62, 63, Answers.

Congregation Bible Study (30 min.) lfb lessons 62, 63.

Analysis of Lesson 62: A Kingdom That Is Like a Great Tree

What did Nebuchadnezzar's dream mean?

The great tree that was cut down represented Nebuchadnezzar himself and the loss of his kingdom. When the angel said to leave a piece of the trunk with its roots, it meant that he would become king again.

That the heart of the tree would change and no longer be that of a man, but that of a beast, meant that Nebuchadnezzar would go mad and eat grass in the field like a wild animal.

That seven times would pass meant that seven years would pass, after which Nebuchadnezzar would again be king of Babylon and everyone would realize that God is Ruler and that he can give a kingdom to whomever he wants.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The dream meant that Nebuchadnezzar would temporarily lose his kingdom because of his pride. He would live like an animal for a certain period and then be restored as king, so that he would recognize that God is the true ruler.

According to Daniel 4:10-12, the great tree represented the king's power and greatness. Its size and reach demonstrated the extent of his dominion and how many people depended on his rule. The dream highlighted the prosperity he had achieved under God's guidance.

Daniel 4:14-16 shows that the tree would be cut down, but not completely destroyed. This indicated that the punishment would be temporary. The change of heart from man to beast symbolized the loss of reason and royal dignity due to pride.

According to Daniel 4:17, the primary purpose was for everyone to recognize that the Most High rules over human kingdoms. It was not merely a matter of personal discipline, but a public lesson on divine sovereignty.

In Daniel 4:26, the stump that remained with roots ensured the restoration of the kingdom. This demonstrates that discipline had a corrective, not destructive, purpose, and that acknowledging divine authority would be the condition for regaining power.

What lesson did Nebuchadnezzar learn?

Nebuchadnezzar learned that Jehovah is the true Ruler and that power does not depend on human strength, but on God's will. Furthermore, he learned that his kingdom, all his accomplishments, and everything he possessed did not depend on his own ability, but on Jehovah's permission to rule.

He also learned that pride and self-exaltation have consequences. After the age of seven, he understood that Jehovah shames proud people and gives the kingdom to whomever he chooses.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Nebuchadnezzar learned that pride led him to lose everything and that no human power is absolute. He understood that God is the supreme ruler, that He grants authority to whomever He wills, and that only humility allows one to maintain favor and blessings.

According to Daniel 4:30, the king took all the credit for Babylon's greatness. His focus was on himself, ignoring that his position and success depended on divine will. This moment reveals how pride can distort one's perception of reality.

Daniel 4:31-33 shows that the consequence was immediate: he lost both his kingdom and his sanity. This teaches us that pride not only affects our relationship with God, but can also lead to humiliating and public losses.

According to Daniel 4:34-35, when he regained his sanity, he acknowledged God's absolute sovereignty. This change was not only intellectual but also emotional and spiritual, as he now spoke with respect and reverence.

In Daniel 4:37, Nebuchadnezzar himself concluded that God humbles the proud. His experience confirms the principle of Proverbs 16:18, demonstrating that pride inevitably leads to downfall, while humility leads to restoration.

What does this account teach us about Jehovah?

This account teaches us that Jehovah is the true Ruler and that he has authority over all kingdoms. He can give a kingdom to whomever he wants and can also take it away. Furthermore, it shows that Jehovah opposes pride and shames proud people, but he can also restore and return power when he chooses.

What practical lessons can we learn?

The practical lessons we can learn are that we should not be proud or take all the credit for our accomplishments. We must recognize that everything we have depends on Jehovah's will. We also learn that it is wise to be humble and acknowledge his authority as Ruler.

Analysis of Lesson 63: A Message on the Wall

What did the message that appeared on the wall mean?

The message “MENE, MENE, TECHEL, and PARSIN” meant that the kingdom of Babylon had come to an end when King Belshazzar used the gold vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple of Jehovah to drink wine. Daniel explained that the Medes and Persians would conquer Babylon and that Belshazzar would cease to be king. That very night, the Medes and Persians attacked Babylon, and the message was fulfilled.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The message meant that God had judged Belshazzar's reign, found him guilty, and decided to end it immediately. Babylon would be conquered by the Medes and Persians, and Belshazzar would lose his life and his kingdom that very night.

According to Daniel 5:25-28, the written words indicated that the kingdom had been numbered, weighed, and divided. This reflects God's examination of rulers to determine whether they fulfill their responsibilities. Belshazzar was found wanting, demonstrating that human power is subject to divine judgment.

Daniel 5:22-23 highlights that Belshazzar knew of Nebuchadnezzar's experience, but chose to act arrogantly. His transgression was not due to ignorance, but to deliberate rebellion, which aggravated his responsibility before God.

According to Daniel 5:30, the fulfillment was immediate: that very night the king was killed. The swiftness of the outcome demonstrates that when God decides to act, no human power can prevent it.

The fall of Babylon was in harmony with what was foretold in Jeremiah 25:11-12, where the limited duration of its dominion was prophesied. The message on the wall confirmed that the time appointed by God had been fulfilled precisely.

What did Jehovah tell Cyrus to do?

Jehovah told Cyrus to rebuild his temple in Jerusalem and that any Jews who wanted to help could go. So Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to their land seventy years after the destruction of Jerusalem and restored to them the gold and silver vessels and the other things that had been taken from the temple by Nebuchadnezzar.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Jehovah instructed Cyrus to allow the Jews to return to Jerusalem, to expedite the rebuilding of the temple, and to facilitate everything necessary for the restoration of true worship. With this, God ended the exile and demonstrated that he directs rulers to accomplish his purposes.

In Ezra 1:1-4, Cyrus officially proclaimed that Jehovah had commissioned him to build a house for Him in Jerusalem. This was not merely a political authorization, but a public acknowledgment that his authority came from God and that he was acting in harmony with God's will.

Ezra 1:7-11 details how Cyrus returned the temple utensils that Nebuchadnezzar had taken. This act restored essential elements for worship and showed respect for what was sacred, thus correcting the desecration committed by Babylon.

According to Isaiah 44:27–45:2, Jehovah had foretold that he would use Cyrus to conquer nations and deliver his people. The exact fulfillment of this prophecy demonstrates that God not only predicts events but also actively directs world events.

According to Jeremiah 25:11, 12, the exile was to last a specific period of seventy years. When Cyrus allowed the return, the time appointed by God was fulfilled. This confirms that Jehovah keeps his promises precisely and that his purpose is never delayed or failed.

What does this account teach us about Jehovah?

This account teaches us that Jehovah is a God who sees all and acts justly. He does not tolerate disrespect, as when Belshazzar used the temple vessels to praise his gods. It also shows that Jehovah is in control of kingdoms and can accomplish his purposes when he chooses. Furthermore, he keeps his promises, for he allowed his people to return to Jerusalem seventy years later and to rebuild his temple.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

It teaches us that Jehovah keeps his promises and that he is in control of kingdoms and rulers. He can remove kings and install others, and he can use whomever he wants to accomplish his will and help his people.

What practical lessons can we learn?

We learn that we must not be proud or disrespectful to Jehovah. We also learn that it is important to take the lessons of the past seriously, such as the one Nebuchadnezzar received, since Belshazzar knew what had happened and yet did not change. Finally, we learn to trust that Jehovah always keeps his promises and can use whomever he chooses to help his people.