26. Nebuchadnezzar

This ancient ruler was incredibly creative, influential and powerful. However, he is also the subject of one of the most salutary lessons in all history. It is one thing to be an absolute ruler in your own kingdom, but it is quite another when you start to believe that you are some kind of god. 

Well, the one true God certainly showed Nebuchadnezzar that he was no god, and that pride will always precede a fall. This study is about God humbling us when we let pride take a root in our lives. But, wonderfully it is also about God’s redemptive work and it illustrates how God can restore even the most prideful amongst us. 

Bible Reading:

Daniel's story begins in Daniel 1 and runs through to chapter 4 

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Idea 1: Creative because we are created Nebuchadnezzar was probably the most important and powerful leader in the world at around 600BC. We read of him walking through his kingdom one day feeling well chuffed at all he had accumulated. Now it is perfectly reasonable for us all to take pleasure in what we have been given. What is not acceptable is to not give glory to the One who has given it in the first place.

We have all been created in the image of God, and this means that any one of us can achieve great things. So, the fact that Nebuchadnezzar had built up the largest city of its time, decorated it with wonders like The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and also assembled a fair crushing military presence was all very impressive. However, he could only do all this because of the abilities that God had given him. 

•  How do you view your personal achievements? Are you giving God the credit?

•  In what ways might you be underestimating your own abilities? Do you truly understand that God created you, in His image, for a very specific reason (Genesis 1:27, Ephesians 2:10)?

Idea 2: God really does oppose the proud God will never share His glory with anyone, NEVER! This is demonstrated so powerfully in the life of Nebuchadnezzar. God had previously warned old Neb that he was on thin ice, through a dream that was interpreted by Daniel. You might even say that the writing was on the wall. However, he did not listen.

So Nebuchadnezzar gets transformed into some kind of a beast that eats grass and he remains that way for seven years. As a regular kind of bloke, I can really empathise with this guy, it is astounding that it sometimes takes us a long time to learn the lessons - even when life gets very tough!

•  When was the last time you ran a check on your pride status?

•  Is life feeling a bit tough right now? It may have nothing to do with pride, after all life does ebb and flow, but why not take this opportunity to pray about it with your brothers?

Idea 3: With God, it is always about restoration So, God’s judgement on old Neb’s pride lasted for seven years. In that time, he remained half man, half beast. He was literally unrecognisable, unable to communicate, eating grass and had completely lost his mind. This just goes to show that God will stop at nothing to bring us back on track.

After the seven years were up, Nebuchadnezzar repented and gave God all the glory. It was remarkable how different he was in those last years of his life. God restored him to his throne and he served God justly and humbly. It reminds me of those great words in Hebrews 12:5-6:

"My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

•  What do you make of those verses in Hebrews 12:5-6? 

•  How might God be disciplining you in your own life? Can you accept his correction, even though it may be very tough, as a loving Father toward His son?

Action

It may be a really good time to take an inventory of your life. Identify all the good things that you have received, all your achievements and even think through the things that have not gone so well. Then offer up some prayer to God, thanking Him for all that He has given you, and asking Him to help you understand and learn from the things that have not gone quite so well.