To Read
It is well worth reading the whole of chapter 4 for this study.
Daniel 4a – who is truly the king of the world?
Much of this chapter is really an autobiographical letter in which Nebuchadnezzar admits to the time when he was the worst version of himself, and then gives praise to the God of Israel for his recovery. He admits that he became proud, assuming that what he achieved was from him (by his own power) and for him (his glory) – see v.30. His heart was becoming proud and God opposes the proud (James 4:6). He had to come to realise that nothing happens in the world except God allows it and he uses all things for his purpose (this is what is meant by speaking of God as sovereign). He had to realise that anything he achieves was only by the grace of God.
When he claims to do it by his power and for his glory, then he becomes like an animal – not a man made in God’s image. When he admits that God is King then he is restored to sanity and to his royal position. He acknowledges his pride and recognises that God can humble us when we become proud. He learned that ‘those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’ (Matthew 23:12).
Daniel was extremely brave to be so honest with the king as we have seen that Nebuchadnezzar had a violent temper. There may well be times when we have to be courageous like this and speak the truth even if it costs us. We should especially speak up about the need to be kind to the poor and oppressed (v.27) – maybe Daniel knew that Nebuchadnezzar had not done this, and he also knew the truth expressed in Proverbs 29:14. The king had twelve months in which to act on Daniel’s advice but he did not do so, and so God disciplined him, teaching him who was truly king of the world. It was only when he acknowledged God’s sovereignty that he was restored to sanity.
It is easy to see Nebuchadnezzar’s faults but perhaps there is a potential brute beast in all of us. When we live from and for ourselves, we become much less than we are meant to be. People become beasts. When we live from and for God, we become who we are meant to be: a little lower than the angels (Psalm 8:5).
To Discuss:
- Where do we see the kind of attitude we witness in Nebuchadnezzar in our own culture today?
- What about our own hearts? What are the first signs of pride in the human heart? How can we guard our hearts against it?
- What do you think are the results of acknowledging that God is sovereign – working all things together for his purpose?
To Do:
One good antidote to pride and a way of cultivating humility is the discipline of hidden service. Find a way this week to do something for someone else without anyone knowing, except God, and preferably not even the person you bless (you might secretly give a gift of cash to someone you know is in need, for example). Then spend time praying, thanking God for giving you the ability to do this, and asking him to use it for the sake of his kingdom.
There is a PDF version of this here.