NEBUCHADNEZZAR IS HUMBLED

Passage: Daniel 4:28-37

Key verse: 37

NIV

The Dream Is Fulfilled

28 All this happened(A) to King Nebuchadnezzar. 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(B) of my majesty?”(C)

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.(D) 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.”(E)

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(F) with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.(G)

34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity(H) was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.(I)

His dominion is an eternal dominion;
    his kingdom(J) endures from generation to generation.(K)
35 All the peoples of the earth
    are regarded as nothing.(L)
He does as he pleases(M)
    with the powers of heaven
    and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back(N) his hand(O)
    or say to him: “What have you done?”(P)

36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom.(Q) 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(R) and glorify(S) the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just.(T) And those who walk in pride(U) he is able to humble.(V)

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ESV

Nebuchadnezzar's Humiliation

28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 and the king answered and said, (A)“Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by (B)my mighty power as a royal residence and for (C)the glory of my majesty?” 31 (D)While the words were still in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, 32 (E)and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, (F)until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” 33 Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. (G)He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws.

Nebuchadnezzar Restored

34 (H)At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and (I)my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored (J)him who lives forever,

(K)for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
    and (L)his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
35 (M)all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
    and (N)he does according to his will among the host of heaven
    and among the inhabitants of the earth;
(O)and none can stay his hand
    or (P)say to him, “What have you done?”

36 At the same time (Q)my reason returned to me, and for (R)the glory of my kingdom, (S)my majesty and splendor returned to me. (T)My counselors and (U)my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was (V)added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, (W)praise and extol and honor the (X)King of heaven, (Y)for all his works are right and his ways are just; and (Z)those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

When Nebuchadnezzar saw his royal city Babylon, he praised his own glory, majesty, and power. Then, judgment was pronounced from heaven, and he was stripped of all his glory. He became insane and lived among the wild animals eating grass for 7 years. The emperor resembled an eagle with his long, white, unkempt hair and beard cascading down and unclipped nails. Finally, he looked up to heaven and surrendered to God. His sanity was restored, and he praised God and gave glory to him.

Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged that God does what he pleases, and no one can stop his hand or question his authority. Then, his nobles sought him out and restored him to his throne, and he was greater than before. But he learned his lesson to only praise and exalt God who does what is right. He also learned that God humbles the proud. What a hard way to learn!

Let’s be humble and praise God when we see our own version of Babylon. May we guard our lips and hearts to praise only Jesus for his love and his righteousness and devote ourselves to do good (He 13:15,16).

Prayer: Father, please forgive my proud lips and help me to exalt you only.

One Word: God humbles the proud and raises up the humble