My chapter for today was chapter 4. But a brief recap is in order.
In chapter 1, Neb conquered Jerusalem and took youth of the nobility and royal family captive - among them, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah - all 4 from the tribe of Judah, the ruling tribe. They were all renamed with names that honored the gods of Babylon and given a thorough 3-year long Babylonian education, thrived while being faithful to their dietary restrictions (the obvious with regard to the meat would be to avoid pork and other meats potentially cooked in pork fat, since it is likely that all foods were offered first to idols, including the vegetables), and after being reviewed by the king, were found to be the most excellent 4 of all the young captives who had been trained.
In chapter 2, Neb has a dream that no one can interpret. All the wise men are to be killed and Daniel saves the day - - well, God saves the day, but uses Daniel to do it.... Arioch tries to take credit for 'finding' Daniel - but Daniel gives all the credit to the LORD. Then he tells Neb the dream - and gives the interpretation. It turns out to be a road map for the successive reigning powers of the world. Neb apparently wasn't too worried about the future kingdoms - just his own, and he took the 'head of gold thing' too much to heart it would seem.
In chapter 3, Neb has a 90-foot-high gold statue of himself constructed, and has everyone come to the Plain of Dura where it was erected for a ceremony, commanding that everyone bow down to it. Somehow, 'everyone' didn't include Daniel that day - but Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (the Babylonian names given to Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah) were brought before the king for refusing to bow down to the image of gold. After proving themselves to be loyal assets in the kingdom, their faithfulness to God in their refusal to bow to any other got them thrown into the fiery furnace. It was so hot that those who threw them in were killed by the flames, but the only thing the flames burned off were the ropes that bound them. Not a hair was singed - and when they walked out of the flames they didn't even smell of smoke. Neb promoted them. What looked impossibly bleak had a 'happy ending' for the 3 faithful stewards.
And now, chapter 4. It is Neb's report of a huge mistake that he made - and the results. Neb had a 2nd dream. This time it was of a tree that was cut down. Daniel interpreted the dream - but clearly wanted the dream not to come true. He wanted it to be for Neb's enemies - and at the end of interpreting it begged Neb to turn away from his sins so it wouldn't happen....
Neb's big sin was taking credit for his laudable position and all he had accomplished. In spite of what God had already done in his kingdom - even fairly recently saving 3 men from the fiery flames - Neb failed to give God the credit God is due.
The lesson of chapter 4 is that kingdoms and rulers rise and fall, but no matter who they are and no matter how wonderfully clever and successful they think they are, their power is allowed by God, and Him alone, for His purposes, and for the fulfillment of what has already been prophesied.
In Neb's case, a year after the dream he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon and gloating over his amazing accomplishments when the fulfillment happened - instantly!
After losing his mind and becoming like an animal for '7 periods of time', just as the prophecy warned, his mind was restored to him, and the result was that he praised God. Finally King Neb gave credit to the King of Kings!
In his (translated to English, of course) words: (Daniel 4, ESV, selected verses)
King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you! 2 It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me.
3 How great are his signs,
how mighty his wonders!
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and his dominion endures from generation to generation.
34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever,
for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
and he does according to his will among the host of heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth;
and none can stay his hand
or say to him, “What have you done?”
36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
No comments:
Post a Comment