February 2

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Daniel 4

We are in the Exile Stream reading from the book of Daniel. We continue reading from The Message translation. Last week, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego survived the fiery furnace. What could King Nebuchadnezzar be up to this week?

Prayer

Commentary

My oh my Dear God, you truly oppose the proud and show favor to the humble.  There is not a colossus of a man or king regardless of his empire or financial status that you are not able to “zero out” and reduce to pure neediness.  There is not a person too lowly for you to elevate to any status you see fit for your glory.  Solomon, Isaiah, James, and Peter also -all say this clearly in their writings.  Today we read of Nebuchadnezzar illustrating this with his life.  May we be ever sober and vigilant to retain what we learn in your Word.  Amen.

Nebuchadnezzar was in charge of the Babylonian Empire for 42 years: 604-562 B.C.  Very early in his rule, he has the dream of the giant figure that represented history’s empires from his own through to Rome.  About 18 years later; 586 B.C. he makes the giant gold image and the fiery furnace event takes place.  Daniel is in his early 30’s when his three friends are threatened with execution by fire.  The chapter today, -and the dates are difficult to verify- tells us of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a giant tree that symbolizes himself,  This tree story tells of the king’s magnitude, megalomania, descent into madness, and finally his restoration.  Daniel 4 starts with king Nebuchadnezzar giving great praise to God that seems to be out of nowhere just like his tantrums seemed to be out of nowhere.  Be that as it may, the king has another dream that troubles him.  Again, as usual, his magicians and that whole crew are of no use again, as usual and Daniel is the only one who knows what to make of it, again, as usual.  Just to pause, it does hint to us strongly enough that we are better off consulting with God and Co. versus seeking out the worldly jokers however accessible they may be.  Symbolically, in his dream, Nebuchadnezzar is huge and factors as huge in the world.  He affects the whole world; he shades, feeds, shelters, protects, houses … everything.  Then God cuts in and humbles him 100%.  The dream perplexes the king but Daniel knows enough to be afraid because it spells out a reckoning for Nebuchadnezzar.  This reminds of when God speaks to young Samuel about a prophecy for the irresponsible Eli.  Samuel is afraid to tell Eli.  But the wise know that messages from God must be delivered.  Daniel spells out the dream’s meaning and finishes with the possible condition, “Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed.  It may be that then your prosperity will continue.  Nebuchadnezzar heard Daniel but then again, he didn’t hear him.  

For 12 months Nebuchadnezzar offers no repentance according to the Scriptures and his arrogant speech in verse 30 is his final stunt as a humanoid…for seven years.  His downward spiral into a beast-like state is punishment and testimony-a-plenty to the literate world about where the egotistical are headed.  In terms of world history, this could all the same be yet another tale of a man gone insane.  This has happened before.  God actually did use Nebuchadnezzar for His purposes.  But Nebuchadnezzar only served God when he was emotionally overwhelmed by one of God’s deeds.  Nebuchadnezzar never personally committed himself to God.  And this was a shame and a waste for he had plenty of experiences and opportunities to walk in devotion as Daniel had demonstrated for him.  

At the end of the king’s seven years in animalistic oblivion, his restoration and praise because of the restoration is a verse of homage and praise that is most noteworthy.  It’s a beautiful passage that we could all learn from.  Here’s a few verses from around the Bible that apply to Nebuchadnezzar as well as to all of us.  

Solomon speaks in Proverbs 3:34 “He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.”  -400 years before Nebuchadnezzar

Isaiah speaks in Isaiah 2:12 “The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted, (and they will be humbled),  -100 years prior

James speaks in James 4:6 “But he gives us more grace.  That is why the Scripture says, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”  -600 years after K.Neb’

Peter speaks in I Peter 5:5 “All of you, clothe yourselves in humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” -620 years after…

Yes, the players on the stage; God’s stage keep changing, but the principles of God remain steadfast.  We never break the Law.  Follow it or we get broken upon it.

Credit to the king, he does praise God in a tremendous response and it is the third time he has done so in the book of Daniel.  But this also is the last we hear of Nebuchadnezzar in the Bible.  Any reference to him later in the Scriptures is post mortem while speaking about or to his son Belshazzar.  He was certainly a grand character who accomplished mighty things.  And had he allowed Daniel to speak to him as a counselor, how much better it all could have gone for him.  Are we listening?

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