Daniel 4 Part 3

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

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This section of Daniel represents the fulfillment of what the heavenly voice warned was coming to Nebuchadnezzar based on his complete arrogance regarding himself and the kingdom that not he, but God gave to him as ruler over the entire known earth at that point.

29 At the end of the twelve months (Nebuchadnezzar) was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?”
31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! 32 And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”

Notice while Nebuchadnezzar was in the process of bragging about his accomplishments that the voice from heaven interrupts him to bring him bad news. At the end of a year, Nebuchadnezzar is shown having learned nothing regarding his pride. He is proud of the city he says he built. He attributes his own might and power as though having derived from himself. He failed to understand that it was God and God alone who raised up men to be kings and deposed them at His will. God was going to change Nebuchadnezzar’s outlook.

The voice utters judgment that has come to Nebuchadnezzar. Due to the king’s continued/unresolved pride, his kingdom would be taken from him. The king would be driven from men. He would live like an animal. All this would happen until he learned that God and God only was sovereign. This is actually a blessing in disguise because God did not take this approach with everyone did He?

The humbling of proud rulers is a recurrent theme throughout Scriptures. Interestingly, Nebuchadnezzar was not killed by his enemies as has happened many times throughout Scripture and history. God protected Nebuchadnezzar for His purposes and glory. God literally stepped in and kept the empire’s affairs under control.
This allowed Nebuchadnezzar to pick up at that point when he came to himself. One can only wonder if Daniel himself helped protect the king and encouraged others in government to prepare for the king’s return?

33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.

Hair “like eagles’ feathers” reminds us of hair that is neglected, matted, and long. The king did not think to trim his fingernails and toenails, either. He gave no thought to his own grooming. Animals at least groom themselves out of instinct.

34 And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever…

Fascinating, isn’t it? God brought Nebuchadnezzar low and then raised him back up. Sanity returned to Nebuchadnezzar at the appointed time. 1 Peter 5:6 reminds us to humble ourselves under His mighty hand.

Nothing is more insane than human pride. Nothing is more sober and sensible than to praise God.(Feinberg)

Sanity begins with a realistic self-appraisal. (Baldwin)

We humans do not like to do realistic self-appraisals, do we?

For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is from generation to generation. 35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, “What have You done?”

Nebuchadnezzar seems to finally get it and becomes humbled. It is all God. He is in charge. No one can tell God what to do or even demand why He does something. It is also possible that through this situation, Nebuchadnezzar became a believe in Yahweh as sole God of the universe.

It is safe to say that these changes in Nebuchadnezzar may have occurred because of Daniel’s influence on the king. It is certain Daniel continually prayed for the king. It is clear Nebuchadnezzar went from seeing himself as supreme to recognizing God’s absolute sovereignty.

36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me.
37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.

There seems to be some measure of genuine repentance here. At the very least, humility has worked through Nebuchadnezzar providing an accurate assessment of himself.

No other instance in the cuneiform inscriptions occurs of a king recording his own inaction.(Walvoord)

The captive Jews needed to know that even the apparently limitless power of Nebuchadnezzar was under the control of the Lord God Almighty, who still cared for them and had a great future for them in their land. (Archer)

What God did in and through Nebuchadnezzar was of great benefit to the captive Jews in Babylon as well as Nebuchadnezzar himself!

…Even though God has appointed Gentiles to a place of prominence in His program during the times of the Gentiles, yet most nations and people walk in rebellion against God…God’s judgment on Nebuchadnezzar, designed to subject him to God’s authority, seems to prefigure God’s judgment on the nations to subject them to the authority of the One who has been given the right to rule. (Dwight Pentecost)

The takeaway for Christians is that if God will take the time to humble pagan rulers, He will most definitely take the time to humble his own children! We must cooperate with God in the continuing humbling process.

Every situation we face – trials, temptations & difficulties – are all allowed/directed into our lives to create greater humility within us. God will humble us – we would do well to cooperate with Him instead of resisting His efforts.

Next time we will look at Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson, Belshazzar and his short-lived rule in Daniel 5

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective