We come to Daniel Chapter 4and verse 27 – As we have been reading of this incident in the life of King Nebuchadnezzar, where we see both judgment and concern, a question arose in my mind. What about all the poor people in the cities? What about all those who were suffering in Babylon at this time?
Daniel, in preaching a stern word of judgment reveals a pastoral concern and a deep human interest.
To preach judgement, you must have concern and compassion.
And, to preach judgement, we must have concern about the situation and counsel for that situation. Consider carefully the text here – and remember how Jesus balanced judgment with compassion and concern.
The sad sequel is - twelve months passes. Has Nebuchadnezzar changed? No.
He quickly forgot the dream - he went back into his proud building programme.
This is the fact - Nebuchadnezzar has not changed in his heart. Time is a good test as to whether a man is really sorry - what is a man like a year later? Has he changed? Has he taken advice? Has he put things right? Has it made any difference?
Nebuchadnezzar is on the walls - he is walking - now you could drive three chariots abreast on these walls. It is as if he is praying - but to himself. Mine is the kingdom and the power and the glory - pride - with a capital I in the middle of it.
But God was listening. Do we realise that God is listening when we think He is nowhere near us?
Verse 31 – A voice came from heaven - if we do not humble ourselves we will be humbled one way or another - "I am going to take the whole lot from you."
Verse 33 – King Nebuchadnezzar is on all fours - snarling - for seven years. His advisers and nobles realised that he was insane. What a sight.
Why are we so concerned how we came from the animals? We should be more concerned that God allows us to become like animals. This is what the Bible means by "perished" - that a man should lose his humanity.
When a man is cut off from God, he can become like a beast. The Bible does not support a belief that we evolved from animals, but it does teach that man can become like an animal.
Nebuchadnezzar is an example to all proud people - that God can bring you down.
One day his sanity returned. Did he see his reflection in a pool? An animal never lifts its head to heaven - but when he lifts his eyes to heaven his sanity returns. If we would lift out eyes to heaven we would have a saner world. War scenes are so insane.
Nebuchadnezzar’s reason comes back - after seven years. We do not know who we are until we lift our eyes to heaven.
Of course, some might want to say - he is getting worse - religious mania now - but he saw that he had been insane his whole life - and he thanked God for this breakdown.
Verse 36 – The situation quickly improved. It was as if he could not be trusted with power - Emperor of Babylon by the grace of God.
No man can behave as though he is God. God can deal with that and will deal with that.
This book tells us about God - and about man – and about ourselves - and what God looks for from us.
Almighty God can reverse situations and circumstances quite quickly. God can reverse bad laws quite quickly. Consider that possibility in our present national and world situation.
When we apply this to our own nation - it is serious - how we have interfered with the sanctity of life - and what is now permitted in the area of morality - and how God and morality are mocked openly. And, our attitude to Israel.
People speak about - what is mine - my house - my garden - my car.
The Lord gave - and we need to remember that God cannot stand pride.
God can change circumstances. The risen and living and ascended Jesus can transform certain situations – but there are things which our gracious God cannot bless.
“Compassionate God – loving Father – as we worship You, help us to balance the various emotions which we experience throughout life. We see how pride is dangerous. We know how You can change and transform us – releasing us and delivering us from these emotions and moods which can be so negative and harmful. Living Jesus – draw near – fill us and flood us with the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.” Amen.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.