Pride Before The Fall
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
28 All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. 30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? 31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. 32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws. 34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: 35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? 36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellers and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. 37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
This is truly a remarkable portion of Scripture…
In Chapter 4, we have an official Babylonian document recording the conversion experience of Nebuchadnezzar who was one of the cruelest monarchs in of history. Here was a man who came to know God in a personal way and who was so thrilled about it that he not only wrote his personal testimony but instructed that it be sent out to all the nations of the known world.
It’s a unique Chapter because it’s an official auto-biographical document, prepared by the king of Babylon and distributed throughout his vast kingdom.
The fact that Nebuchadnezzar would openly admit his pride, his temporary insanity, and his beastly behavior, and then give glory to the God of Israel for his recovery, is indeed a remarkable thing.
Nebuchadnezzar learned an important lesson the hard way just as people are learning it the hard way today:
18 Pride goeth before destruction,
And an haughty spirit before a fall.
Look at verse 28; “All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar...”
All what? What is all this?
Well, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had an ominous dream about a tree. None of his regular counselors could interpret it, but then Daniel came, and he interpreted the dream. The dream forecasted Divine punishment for Nebuchadnezzar in the form of insanity. Nebuchadnezzar would be crazy for a period of time as a means of judgment for his iniquity.
Let me tell you something this morning; what God says will happen will happen!
God’s Word is sure! God’s Word will not fail!
Lehmann Strauss wrote, “When God predicts judgment, his retribution if inevitable.”
Many today mock judgment in Scripture, but the day will come when judgment will indeed come upon men as the Scriptures have said, and then the mocking will stop and the misery will begin for the mockers.
Let’s look at three things concerning Nebuchadnezzar in this passage...
I-His Pride
I-His Pride
29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
God waited twelve months before he brought judgment on Nebuchadnezzar, giving this king plenty of time and opportunity to repent and get his life turned around. This waiting period reveals again that the Lord is longsuffering, merciful, and patient.
If King Nebuchadnezzar had repented, God would have withheld His judgment, but unfortunately, the King’s pride got in the way...
30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
Nebuchadnezzar took credit for all his success. Many had helped him build the kingdom, but he never mentions them. He was proud.
The pride of Nebuchadnezzar is what got him into major trouble. Notice the words in verse 30, “I have built,” “my power,” “for the honor of my majesty.” He is exalting himself for what he has done.
The kingdom of Babylon was immense, spreading from India to Ethiopia with 127 provinces. Archeologist have found in the ruins of Babylon that 90% of the bricks had Nebuchadnezzar’s name stamped on them.
Babylon was quite the city. It was a great square of over 200 square miles with double walls that were from 100 to 400 feet high and an underground base of 35 feet. It had 100 gates made of copper and bronze. The streets were 125 feet wide. Through the center of the city was the great Procession Street. It was 2/3 of a mile in length, 70 feet wide, and paved with stones. On its sides were walls decorated with enameled bricks showing 120 lions and 575 dragons and bulls. This street ended at the famous Ishtar Gate which was 35 feet high and decorated with 557 animals in bright colors against a glazed blue background.
The palace was like a fortress with walls all around it. It was so vast that it covered six square miles. The Throne Room was 171 by 56 feet with a triple gateway that was richly decorated and sculptured. Near the palace were the Hanging Gardens which was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Tower of Babylon dominated the entire city. It was a seven story pyramid or ziggurat that was 288 feet high. It was constructed with 60 million fired bricks.
I said all that to drive home the point that Nebuchadnezzar had it all according to this world!
Nebuchadnezzar thought he couldn’t be touched, But he couldn’t stop God’s judgment!
31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. 32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
Nebuchadnezzar had refused to correct his way of living, and man will reap what he sows:
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
II-His Punishment
II-His Punishment
33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.
Nebuchadnezzar was struck by what would today be classified as a behavioral disorder called boanthropy...
This occurs when a person imagines themselves as a cow or bull and acts accordingly…There’s another form of this disorder called lycanthropy, which is geared more toward a wolf or other animal...
Hey, you know what happened?
The one who thought he was superhuman became subhuman.
He lived with animals instead of with men. He ate grass like an ox, not food like a man. He lived and slept in the field, not in the home and bed of a man. He had fingernails and toenails like the claws of a bird and not those of a human.
Sinclair Ferguson writes, “The one who refused to honor God’s glory loses his own glory. Refusing to share what he has with the poor, he becomes poorer than the poor. He becomes outwardly what his heart has been spiritually and inwardly—bestial.”
It is a dangerous thing for anyone to think he can live without God. Sometimes God must show man just how feeble he is. The Lord does not punish all people the same way he did Nebuchadnezzar, but He will show man his folly.
Nebuchadnezzar would stay this way for 7 years! If he had only repented while there was time, he would’ve been spared the punishment which he now would have to endure...
If you are out of the Lord’s will and the chastisement of God has not come upon your life yet, that means there is still time to repent. I would advise you to listen to the call of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. Repent while there is time.
If you are not saved, I challenge you to come before the Lord and receive Jesus into your heart. Judgment can be avoided if God is acknowledged and exalted as He should be...
III-His Pardon
III-His Pardon
You know? God didn’t have to warn Nebuchadnezzar, God didn’t have to wait a year before bringing judgment, but aren’t you glad that God is merciful that way, he’s patient, he’s kind…
You know? Even after God put His judgment on Nebuchadnezzar; He could have just forgot about him completely, but God is filled with understanding. He is very patient with men. God give the king another chance, even after Nebuchadnezzar ignored Him, even after he was judged, God still was patient with him...
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Nebuchadnezzar finally comes to himself and sees the great glory of God. I believe this man had an actual conversion experience, and that we will see him some day in Heaven.
As evidence of his conversion, Nebuchadnezzar gives a loud testimony so that all the people in his kingdom will know what has happened to him.
Look at the:
A-Recognition
A-Recognition
34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: 35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
The first step to fellowship with God is to recognize your need. Verse 34 tells how Nebuchadnezzar praised and worshiped and honored God. In verse 35, he recognized that God is above all men.
Look at the:
B-Restoration
B-Restoration
36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellers and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
The king’s sanity returned. His kingdom was returned to him. Recognition plus repentance brings restoration.
Look at the:
C-Respect
C-Respect
37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Nebuchadnezzar received pardon! Too many today never get to this place! They hang on to their pride all the way to hell! But there is pardon to all those who will believe in the Lord!
What will it take to get you and me in a place where we are willing to bow to God’s power?
What will it take to bring us to the place where we will freely bring honor and glory to His name?
What will it take in your life before you come to Jesus for salvation?
What will it take before you give it all fully and finally to God?
If there are issues that need to be settled, this altar is open and the help you need can be found right here.
