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: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. 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?” 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. 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. Daniel 4: 34-37, NKJV.
Holy and Sovereign God, we look to You today, and ask that as we sit at Your feet to study Your Word, divine light might shine upon our understanding, and help us to grasp the lessons that we need to learn, before it is too late. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
I am always amazed when I read this story. My initial question always was, “How could the king just lift up his head and have his reason restored to him?” Someone who has lost his or her mind, simply does not get well overnight. That is, unless there is divine intervention! That is, unless the God who made us “fearfully and wonderfully,” in the first place – restores us! The reason these thoughts bothered me – I was looking at a supernatural occurrence from a natural, or human, point of view. You know that does not help. The two views are incompatible.
Then the Holy Spirit began to show me the details in the blue print, and all of a sudden things began to fall into place. It became quite clear that it is God who gives, and God who takes (Job 1: 21b). God also restores, as we will see in our study.
Nebuchadnezzar was riding on a high horse of pride when he was thrown to the ground, literally! For seven years he looked, and acted, like an animal. the hair on his body grew abnormally long, as well as his nails. His kingdom retained its splendor, but he could take no credit for it. This was his condition for approximately seven years. There are others who sustain that it was approximately three and one half years (Halley’s Bible Handbook, p. 343). However, the majority agree that it was a period of seven years. What I would like us to take a good look at in our study, are two factors: God’s patience, and His mercy. These are all evidences of the fact that God’s desire is to save, not condemn, His creatures! Let us first take a look at His patience:
“Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes” (Daniel 4: 29-32, emphasis supplied).
Approximately one entire year went by before judgment befell Nebuchadnezzar! Oh, the patience and endless mercies, of Almighty God! And note further, that it was he who brought the judgment upon himself. He had been forewarned by Daniel, “Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes. The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice: 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” (25b-27, emphasis supplied).
We will continue tomorrow.