“At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?'” – Daniel 4:29-35 (ESV)
Ask yourself the following questions: “What makes a person truly great? What makes a person truly worthy of sheer awe?” Perhaps it is people who are willing to sacrifice themselves on the behalf of others. Perhaps it is people who give up all they have or ever will have to help others in need. Perhaps it is people who have started a business and have amassed great wealth to the point of never being concerned about money ever again. Perhaps it is a person who commands great power, influence, and respect to the point of bringing about great change in the world. We could come up with other many examples of people who inspire awe others.
One such person from history who inspired awe in his own country and in the world was King Nebuchadnezzar. He reigned in Babylon (ancient city in modern day Iraq) for over 40 years. His reign occurred roughly 600 years before Jesus walked the Earth. King Nebuchadnezzar was all about expanding his empire and expanding his fame at the same time. Whether it was the military conquests of other nations or increasing the splendor of the city of Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar could never get enough of his own fame and fortune. Consider the following thought by Nebuchadnezzar: “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30 – ESV). Notice the focus of the king’s thoughts…Himself. Notice the perceived source of his mighty power…Himself. Notice the reason he expanded Babylon…Himself. In summary, King Nebuchadnezzar was consumed with glorifying himself.
It is would be very easy to begin a lesson about humility at this point and use King Nebuchadnezzar as an object lesson. However, we must consider an important point that is often lost on the modern world. We live in a day of democracies and representative governments. We no longer know what it truly means to have absolute sovereigns as leaders and world rulers. Even the most powerful leaders of the modern world pale in comparison to the likes of King Nebuchadnezzar. His power was unlimited, his word was law and obeyed without question, and no nation or leader of his day could withstand his assaults. King Nebuchadnezzar did not think empty thoughts about himself or speak vain words. He had both the desire and the ability to carry out everything he purposed, and we must remember that in order learn what God intended in these verses.
Let’s be honest. Our day is full of prideful and self-promoting people who are far less capable of bringing about any “glory of majesty” compared to King Nebuchadnezzar. Think about what we see today…Athletes, politicians, activists, actors, celebrities, etc. vying for the “glory” of media coverage and social media “majesty”. Our heroes today may very well have positive motivations or even perform good works at times, but their “glory” and “majesty” are far below those which King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon enjoyed and wielded. We may have the motivation, but we lack the ability to carry out what we purpose. Oh, how far the standards of glory, majesty, and greatness have fallen!
Perhaps you are saying, “Good…Be gone with all such oppressors as Nebuchadnezzar! We are far better off without them, even if our ideas of greatness are less grand!” Dear reader, while that may be true in terms of modern governments and our earthly lives under their rule, you could miss the point that God is making if that is your view. Notice what happened when King Nebuchadnezzar expressed his self-exalting thought. “While the words were still in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, ‘O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.’ Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers, and his nails were like birds’ claws.” (Daniel 4:31-33 – ESV)
God knows all, hears all, and discerns the thoughts and the intentions of every person’s heart, including your own. Do you see the point? Even mighty King Nebuchadnezzar was not truly sovereign over his own exalted, privileged, and majestically glorified life. He went as far as to use words that are consistent with Almighty God Himself: “Glory of my majesty”. Despite his greatness by human standards, King Nebuchadnezzar was ultimately deluded. He was nothing compared to Almighty God. Oh, how far from true, heavenly exaltation the mighty King Nebuchadnezzar was. How much further are we when measured by earthly standards. Ah, there is the problem, though! We tend to compare everything by earthly standards, and we tend to justify or condemn everything by our own relative views based on our lives on Earth. Here is the unvarnished truth, dear friend: There is a throne that is absolutely above all earthly thrones, causes, intentions, and greatness. The One Who sits on that heavenly throne is far above even the most exalted person who was, who is, or who will someday be born.
King Nebuchadnezzar came to his senses by God’s good grace. So can you! Do not fool yourself…“God does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?'” King Nebuchadnezzar challenged God’s rightful place as the true absolute sovereign, and we do the same when we think about ourselves or exalt others above the worship and glory due Almighty God alone. We must know our place before God if we are to have peace and fellowship with Him, our Creator. King Nebuchadnezzar came to his senses. Today is still the day of salvation. Do as Nebuchadnezzar did. Bow before Almighty God and turn from your sinful ways (thoughts, words, and actions). Confess yourself as a sinner to God, unworthy of his tender mercies in Jesus Christ, His Son Who died in the place of sinners like you and me. The most rational and reasonable thing any person can do is know their place before God and live accordingly.
May Your Eyes Be Opened To Your Need of Christ,
Eric Conner
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