Humility For The Prideful

King Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony

Daniel 4 is written as a royal decree

From the king’s perspective

Tells of his own humbling experience

A Prophetic Warning

A dream of a magnificent tree destroyed at the command of a messenger from heaven

Daniel concludes the interpretation with a warning, in true prophetic form

Daniel 4:26–27 NIV

26 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. 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.”

Parallels to the early warnings of Exile

Easy to understand warnings of discipline in Bible stories

Harder to understand in relation to ourselves

The Good, Good Father

A tyrant enforces punishment without warning

A loving parent warns and disciplines within known boundaries

Prophets are sent by a loving father who seeks to guide His children through difficult times and discipline then when they stray

Daniel 4:29–37 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?” 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.” 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. 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. 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?” 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. 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.

Pride Before the Fall

“...by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty!”

“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 the ox.”

Humbled By God

Pride idolizes self and says, “I did it on my own”

Humility says, “I could have never done it alone”

God says, “I gave you everything you have”

...and I can just as easily take it away to prove it to you

Exile Parallels

In the midst of the Jewish Exile, we see King Nebuchadnezzar experience his own humbling exile.

Just as King Nebuchadnezzar was restored to his kingdom when he raised his eyes toward Heaven, Israel must also turn its eyes to Heaven.

Me must turn our eyes to heaven and keep them there!

Hindsight is 20/20

On the other side of restoration, King Nebuchadnezzar was able to say, “Everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”

The discipline was just, but he had to experience it to understand.

Was Daniel a failure?

His prophetic words did not change the king’s actions.

The dream still came true.

Did Daniel’s interpretation benefit the king?

Perhaps the king remembered Daniel’s words and that is why he turned his eyes to heaven

Properly Placed Identity Redefines Success

Daniel’s identity was rooted in his submission to God

So long as he remained a humble vessel, his success was defined only by his obedience.

God’s plan is too vast for us to define ourselves by the direct outcome of our obedience.

Is Your Success Defined By Pride?

Is pride controlling your self-worth?

Are you humbly submitted to God such that He defines your success?

Or are you overwhelmed by worldly definitions of success like king Nebuchadnezzar?