King Nebuchadnezzar and Pride, the result?

THE EXPERIENCE OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR

Daniel 4:28–37

“All this came upon … Nebuchadnezzar” (Daniel 4:28). Nebuchadnezzar experienced exactly what Daniel predicted. That means he did not heed Daniel’s exhortation to change his lifestyle. Rulers are not inclined to listen to the message of the minister. Power is seldom submissive to preaching.

1. The Period Before the Experience (Daniel 4:29)

The judgment predicted in the dream did not come right away upon Nebuchadnezzar.

• The duration of the period. “At the end of twelve months” (Daniel 4:29). A whole year went by before Nebuchadnezzar experienced the infliction of judgment as predicted in his dream and vision. When judgment does not fall immediately, people tend to think they have escaped judgement (cp. Ecclesiastes 8:11) and go on sinning.

• The design of the period. The design of the period if not stated in nearby Scripture but it does not have to be. God in grace gives us time to repent of our sins. But when we fail to repent, He then brings judgment. So it was with Nebuchadnezzar, he had twelve months to change his ways but did not.

2. The Pride Provoking the Experience (Daniel 4:30)

“I have built … by my might … my power … for the honour of my majesty” (Daniel 4:30). Nebuchadnezzar’s pride ruined him. He was so obsessed with himself, he had no time for God, but the judgment corrected that.

3. The Punishment in the Experience (Daniel 4:31–33)

The punishment of Nebuchadnezzar was predicted by Daniel and much of what is said here is a repeat of that earnest prediction.

• The departure. “The kingdom is departed from thee … the same hour was the thing fulfilled” (Daniel 4:31, 33). God did not waste any time once Nebuchadnezzar boasted of his making Babylon so great.

• The demotion. “They shall drive thee from men” (Daniel 4:32). This included being demoted from his high position of the throne as king of Babylon.

• The dwelling. “Thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field” (Daniel 4:32) They did not have mental institutions in those days so when Nebuchadnezzar went crazy and lost his mind, he was put out in the fields.

• The description. “His body was wet with the dew of heaven … his hairs were grown like eagles; feathers, and his mails like birds’ claws” (Daniel 4:33). The great king no longer looked like a great king. Pride brought him very low (cp Proverbs 29:23).

• The design. “Until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will” (Daniel 4:32). Nebuchadnezzar would be inflicted until he learned that God was Sovereign.

• The duration. “At the end of days” (Daniel 4:34). He was afflicted until he learned his lesson.

4. The Promotion After the Experience (Daniel 4:34, 36)

Perhaps the most amazing thing about this incident is that Nebuchadnezzar was restored to his health and honor.

• His mentality returned. “Mine understanding returned unto me … my reason returned unto me” (Daniel 4:34, 36). His craziness was temporary, God healed him mentally.

• His monarchy returned. “Mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lord sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me” (Daniel 4:36). The only reason you can give for Nebuchadnezzar being returned to his throne and glory is that God controlled the circumstances. Humanly even the return of his senses would not put him back on the throne but God runs the show and He put Nebuchadnezzar back on the throne in all his glory.

5. The Praise From the Experience (Daniel 4:34, 37)

All of this resulted in much praise for God from the judged Nebuchadnezzar.

• The Person he praised. “I blessed the most High” (Daniel 4:34). God was the One Nebuchadnezzar praised.

• The power he praised. “None can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” (Daniel 4:35). God is more powerful than anyone who anything else.

• The permanence he praised. “Liveth forever … dominion is … everlasting … his kingdom is from generation to generation” (Daniel 4:34). God will be around awhile. When all the great (?) men of the ages who have attacked God have disappeared from the pages of history, God will still be around and His kingdom will still be in tact.

6. The Proclamation After the Experience (Daniel 4:37)

“Those that walk in pride he is able to abase” (Daniel 4:37). Nebuchadnezzar knew this truth personally and without hesitation declared it. The fact that Nebuchadnezzar insisted on people knowing about this experience makes one believe that Nebuchadnezzar will be in heaven. We may be wrong on this assessment of his faith, but he professed many things that only believers profess.

Butler, J. G. (2013). Daniel to Malachi (Vol. 9, pp. 38–41). Clinton, IA: LBC Publications.