Reflection from Daniel - Nebuchadnezzar
As I read about Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel, I kept thinking of these words: The frailty of man.
Read Nebuchadnezzar's story in the first 3 chapters of Daniel and let me know if you're not jaw dropped at the double-mindedness of this man. Here are just some snippets from Daniel.
2:47 The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.”
3:15 Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”
3:26 Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here.” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire.
He had seen first hand the power and might of the God of gods, the Lord of kings, the Most High God (Nebuchadnezzar's own words in the above verses). Yet did that really do anything to him? Did that really changed his mind about God and his other so-called gods?
Surely he had an encounter with the Lord. (He witnessed some of the most impossible things on the earth.) Surely he knew that Daniel's God is the Most High. He even uttered repeated praises to Him. In fact in Dan 4:2, he attributed the good things in his life to God (I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me).
Yet I couldn't help but to ask - what was that to him? Did it really mean anything?
Truly, Nebuchadnezzar was a yo-yo.
One moment proclaiming the greatness of God, next moment putting Him aside.
Nebuchadnezzar might have called God by all the right and correct names. Known of all His power and might (and perhaps adored and revered Him even for that). But did all that do anything to his heart?
As we read in Daniel 4, he received a dream (more like a warning) from God. Yet did he take heed?
Nope, he strayed on. For 12 months.
Listen to what he said as he looked on at the beautiful garden of Babylon, his garden of Babylon, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?"
 |
| Source: Wikipedia |
I bet he had quite forgotten the dream and the warning from 12 months ago.
After all, when all you can see is your own majestic splendour, it can be rather easy to get lost in it.
As we read on in Dan 4, we know what happened to him. Exactly as his dream revealed and as Daniel forewarned him - the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar (Reference Dan 4:33).
Was Daniel's advice not acceptable to him? Why did he not break off his sins by being righteous, and his iniquities by showing mercy to the poor? Did he not want his prosperity lengthened (Reference Dan 4:27)?
Or did Nebuchadnezzar see hope in Daniel's interpretation that his kingdom will be assured to him? So no matter what he did, his 'kingdom' will still be his? (Reference Dan 4:25-26).
So many questions racing through my mind as I read Daniel.
Which brings me to my 2nd thought.
When Nebuchadnezzar went mad, what happened in that period of time?
Out of curiosity, I tried searching for historical records of the incident but I couldn't find what I was looking for, although I did find a lot of other information. (I wouldn't delve into what I read or found on the web. You can try Googling it. Key words 'Nebuchadnezzar madness'.)
I wasn't particularly amazed that he did go mad, as the Lord forewarned in his dream.
At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me.
Nebuchadnezzar was mad. And it wasn't for a short period. How do we know this? The Bible told us in Daniel 4:33 'till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.'
For his hair to grow like eagles' feathers and nails like birds' claws, it had to be longer than a few days. Surely, surely, it is at least few weeks or so. Could be months.
In this period, did his 'cabinet' (as what we would call them in modern day term) remain in administrative control on his behalf? How did he not get ousted (After all, they did drive him from men. Dan 4:33 he was driven from men)? Did no one rise up in opposition to seize the kingdom from him? Wasn't this the best opportunity to rebel and turn against Nebuchadnezzar?
So many questions, no answer.
The strangest thing, to me, was that when Nebuchadnezzar came to his senses, not only did his honor and splendor return to him, his counselors and nobles resorted to him. How was that possible? How? They must have been a really loyal bunch of people.
The word translated 'resorted' in the NJKV meant 'to ask, to seek, look or make request'. Other translations put it this way - they sought him out.
Bizarre, if you ask me.
Maybe the counselors and nobles kept his madness a secret and still ruled in his stead. Maybe they had wanted to remain in power. Maybe they had wanted to protect Babylon from other powers or nations. I'll never know. We'll never know.
But one thing I know.
(The one thing that the Lord wants me to know.)
In order that the living may know
Truly it was the Lord.
Ruling in the kingdom of men, giving to whomever He will, setting it over the lowest of men.
And all that the Lord said concerning Nebuchadnezzar came to pass when the time came. That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 4:33).
Truly it was the Lord's doing. He chopped down the tree. He cut off its branches. He stripped off its leaves. He scattered its fruit. Yet He left the stump and roots in the earth. He let seven times pass over. (Dan 4:14-16).
Beloved in Christ, what a contrast - the frailty of man and the everlasting dominion of our King.
As I type this now, these words came to mind - Mindful of me.
Indeed, my Lord has been, is and will always be mindful of me.
Mindful of us all, His children.
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?
For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
(Psalm 8:3-5)
How excellent is Your name in all the earth!
