The tree has been cut down. The impressive tree is no longer visible. And yet—there is still something left of it. The root stump can still be seen. It even has to stay there. A strip of iron and bronze is to be put around it to protect the stump (Daniel 4:15, Daniel 4:23). The Lord makes sure that Nebuchadnezzar’s life does not end completely. He needs to feel and experience for himself what will happen to someone who exalts himself against God. The people around him also need to see it with their own eyes. The Lord does not intend to destroy Nebuchadnezzar completely but to bring him to the acknowledgment that he, the Lord, is the King, that the Lord is God, and that even the most powerful man on earth is subject to him. That is why the root stump remains in the grass. That is why Nebuchadnezzar continues to live, even though his life is completely turned upside down. He will recover. Through God’s direction he will even be restored to his kingship. All of this is under God’s control. This will happen after Nebuchadnezzar will have acknowledged that the God of heaven, the God served by Daniel, is above everything and everyone. There is no room for self-exaltation with Nebuchadnezzar. He needs to come to this acknowledgment first.
26 And as it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be confirmed for you from the time that you know that Heaven rules.