The Mighty Will Fall

Big Idea:

The invitation of God’s will may include the humiliation of God’s wrath before we realize God’s worth.

God’s will

God’s wrath

God’s worth

Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, was an American professional boxer and social activist. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time.

Ali's braggadocios attitude was a defining feature of his persona. He famously declared himself "the greatest" and often used poetry and witty remarks to taunt his opponents. His prediction to "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" before his fight with Sonny Liston in 1964 is one of his most memorable quotes¹. Despite being an underdog, Ali won the fight and became the heavyweight champion of the world².

Throughout his career, Ali's confidence and charisma made him a polarizing figure. He was known for his outspoken views on race, religion, and politics, which often sparked controversy. Even after being stripped of his title for refusing military induction during the Vietnam War, Ali remained a prominent figure in both sports and social activism¹.

Ali's legacy extends beyond his boxing achievements. He was a humanitarian and goodwill ambassador, continuing to inspire people worldwide even after being diagnosed with Parkinson's syndrome¹. His life story is a testament to his belief in himself and his relentless pursuit of greatness.

Much like our character, Nebuchadnezzar, Ali probably needed to be reminded of Daniel’s warning from chapter 4 in Daniel:

The King received an invitation to God’s will. (v.27)

Daniel 4:27 NIV

27 Therefore, Your Majesty, 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.”

God’s will was revealed to Neb, through this frightening dream. A great tree that covered and provided shelter and food for the entire world was tragically cut down— Daniel instructs Neb that the tree is indeed a metaphor for Neb himself, and that Neb should take heed to humble himself and live with an understanding that all he has done — all of his accomplishments are essentially from God alone. Not himself.

I would like to be able to tell you that Neb did what God and Daniel recommended— that he popped the “Neb” bubble, and realized and repented of his pride. But for some people, things just need to be hard.

“Defeat is difficult, but success can be fatal.” Dr. Brian Loritts

Daniel 4:28 NIV

28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar.

God gave Nebuchadnezzar 12 months to repent. And really, more than that. this was after 4 chapters of warnings and signs. He saw the Exiles excel in the training program, Daniel not only revealed the dream of the large statue crushed by the coming of the Rock— Jesus— he also observed Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego survive his fiery furnace, accompanied by what is suggested to be the Lord Jesus AGAIN--- But the day came when Neb crossed the line and God said, “That’s it. Enough.” God knows when that day is for you. It’s never where you think it is. God says, “You have walked in disobedience long enough.” And that very hour, he sends something to destroy your foundations, to rock you to your core.

Nebuchadnezzar believed the lie. The lie that he was the center of the universe, and that everything he had accumulated was a result of his own power and glory.

It reminded me of the story Jesus shares in Luke 12:13.

In the parable, a rich man has a bountiful harvest and decides to tear down his barns to build bigger ones to store all his grain and goods. He believes that with his wealth securely stored, he can relax, eat, drink, and be merry for many years. However, Jesus calls him a fool, saying that his life will be demanded from him that very night. The rich man’s wealth, which he thought would secure his future, is ultimately useless to him in the face of his own death.

Daniel 4:29–30 NIV

29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 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?”

[King Neb overlooking the city]

Pride is rooted in a failure to see that everything good is from God.

If anyone in the world had the right to feel pretty comfortable and secure about the future, it was Neb. Archeologists have uncovered the city of Babylon that he is looking over, and it was surrounded by a wall estimated to be nearly 60 miles circling the city. That wall was up to 80 feet thick, and most places 300 feet tall. Financially, Babylon was the center of the world. Neb couldn’t go bankrupt, he was the world’s bank!

Just to give you a reference: If we here in Walnut Creek were the south east corner of Babylon, the southern border of the city would reach to Millersburg— then the city would reach up north to include Holmesville and Fredericksburg— all the way east over to include Mt Eaton, then back south to Walnut Creek. That’s the city! With this kind of wall around it. We can’t even imagine a city that big around here.

[Photo of Holmes Co map]

Pride produces four ugly traits in us:

Competitiveness: “I must be the best”

Ingratitude: “they did not glorify God as God, nor were they thankful” (Rom 1:21)

Entitlement: “I deserve this”

Overconfidence: “I’m the King of the World!”

Yet all of it can come crashing down with one little flick of God’s hand.

“You’ve got cancer”.

“I want a divorce”.

“You’ve lost it all”.

Daniel 4:31–32 “31 Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. 32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.””

During these 7 seasons— which most scholars believe to be “years”, the mightiest king in Babylon was reduced to a groveling mad-man. He lived outside, ate grass like a cow, and his hair grew out like eagle’s feathers and his nails like the talons of an eagle. Psychologists actually have a classified name for this, it’s called Boanthropy, a mental disorder, that, while rare, the victim believes he or she is a cow.2 God was using Nebuchadnezzar to give us a picture of what happens to humanity when we rebel against God. You see, like Nebuchadnezzar, we were created to rule on earth. But when we reject God, and place ourselves in His place, He removes us— We are subject to his wrath.

Galatians 6:7 NIV

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

It turns out the greatest building project Nebuchadnezzar accomplished was not the city, but his ego!

The King suffered under God’s wrath. (v.33)

Daniel 4:33 NIV

33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.

The punishment fit the sin: (v.33)

The king was no longer in charge of the kingdom. (Identity)

The king lost his senses. (Intellect)

The king was exposed to the weather and elements. (Insulation)

The kings appearance was disgraceful. (Image)

These are the factors of Neb’s life that he treasured the most. God literally and figuratively strips the King of all these factors.

What can we learn from this?

God’s lesson plan for prideful kings? Seven years of outdoor education.

Daniel 4:34 NIV

34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.

The King realizes God’s worth. (v.37)

Neb get’s it!

He finally repents.

It’s as if after seven years of terrifying chaos and insanity— He hears these wonderful words, perhaps in a song:

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me; see, on the portals he’s waiting and watching, watching for you and for me.

Come home, come home; you who are weary, come home; earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling, O sinner, come home! BLUE HYMNAL #491

Will Lamartine Thompson (1847-1909) was born in Pennsylvania and died in New York City. He attended Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio, and the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, before continuing his musical studies in Leipzig, Germany.

In addition to being a composer of secular, patriotic and gospel songs, Thompson was a music publisher. When his songs were rejected by publishers of his day, he formed his own enterprise, Will L. Thompson & Company, with offices in Chicago and East Liverpool, Ohio. By the 1880s the company expanded beyond publishing music and sold pianos, organs and other instruments and supplies.

Daniel 4:35 NIV

35 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”

Neb is the OT incidence of the Prodigal son.

The prodigal son story captures it pretty well. A son demands to get his

Daniel 4:36 NIV

36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before.

A little shoot comes sprouting out of that stump:

[photo of a sprouting stump]

The King moves from pride to praise.

He moved from religious conviction to spiritual conversion.

The exiles from Jerusalem were used by God to bring this man into a saving knowledge of God. All that he has done, all that he has accomplished. Nothing without God. It was the dreams, signs, and testimony of Daniel (his life and his words) that God used to bring Neb to himself.

It was a gracious move on God’s part.

Daniel 4:37 NIV

37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

God is showing us that pride defaces your humanity. God was saying to Nebuchadnezzar, “Nebuchadnezzar, listen to me. Because you insisted on trying to become more than what I made you, you will become less than what I made you. Because you aspired to be more than a man, you’ve become less than a man.”

Timothy Keller

Where have we tried to be more than what God created us to be?

In our Identity? Our Intellect? Our Insulation? Our Image?

O for the wonderful love he has promised, promised for you and for me! Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon, pardon for you and for me.

Come home, come home; you who are weary come home; earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling, O sinner, come home!

As we reflect on Nebuchadnezzar's journey from pride to humility and then back to worship and praise of God, we're reminded of our own need for God's transforming grace. Just as the king was restored when he acknowledged God's sovereignty, we too find restoration through Christ's sacrifice. Let us now turn our hearts to the Lord's table, where we remember the ultimate act of humility and love – Jesus giving His body and blood for us. In this sacred moment, we humble ourselves before God, acknowledge His lordship over our lives, and receive the grace that lifts us up. Let us prepare our hearts as we partake in communion together.

Let’s pray--