“Nebuchadnezzar the king, To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me. How great are His signs, and how mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation.” Daniel 4:1-4
This is King Nebuchadnezzar’s final letter to the world before he dies. Nebuchadnezzar, conqueror of the world, destroyer of Jerusalem, worshipper of false gods, a king who forced people to worship him as a god, has written one final letter to the world, praising, worshipping, and declaring his faith in the one true God, Yahweh. Nebuchadnezzar becomes a Christian.
In this letter he relates the story of how he had a dream that only Daniel could interpret. Daniel showed him the meaning of this dream was that God had decreed that Nebuchadnezzar should be driven mad and live with the wild beasts in the fields until he learns that, “…the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”(Daniel 4:25) A year later Nebuchadnezzar, surely having forgotten the dream, takes a tour of his palace and declares to himself how amazing Babylon is and how awesome he is. As soon as he spoke, the dream came true. He went mad and was driven into the field to live with the wild animals. Also, consistent with the dream, after he learns his lesson, he is restored to power and then writes this letter to the whole world.
What were the lessons he learned? 1) that God is sovereign over all the affairs of all men, even great men and nations. 2) God gives kingdoms to whomever He chooses, He removes kings and raises up kings. (Daniel 2:21). 3) There is no place in heaven or on earth that is not under His dominion. 4) His reign is everlasting, and no one can stop Him from doing what He wills. Indeed, no man has the authority to even question what He does. Finally, 5) Nebuchadnezzar learned that God hates pride. He judges the prideful and exalts the humble.
This wonderful event at the end of Nebuchadnezzar’s life takes its place as one more of many events that foreshadow the victory of the gospel that Jesus Christ is truly King of heaven and earth. For example, in Psalm 2 God warns the kings of the earth that He has set His own Son as King over all the nations of the earth. “Be wise, O kings; be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in the way when His wrath is kindled but a little.” Another example is the arrival of the wise men, the magi, rulers of eastern nations, who bring their treasures to Jesus in tribute, submitting Him, and worshiping Him. This is the picture of the victory of the gospel at the end of Revelation which in speaking of the glorious New Jerusalem the city of the King of Kings says, “And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.” Revelation 21:22
With the end of Joe Biden’s presidency and the beginning of Donald Trump’s it’s good for us to be reminded that God still rules the kingdoms of men and gives it to whomever He chooses for His purposes. Even in our modern, sophisticated society God removes rulers and raises up rulers. Even in our technologically advanced world God does what He pleases, and no one can stop His hand. Nor does anyone have the authority to question what His does. He hates pride and will bring down to the ground those who exalt themselves, but He exalts those who humble themselves before Him. The whole earth and heaven are His dominion. All nations belong to Him and are bidden to heed the warning of Psalm 2. The whole earth must learn the lesson of Nebuchadnezzar or face eternal judgment. But let us remember that Psalm 2 ends, “Blessed are all those who put their trust in the Lord.” Amen!
His mercy endures forever!
Pastor Flynn