Have you heard of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon (present day Iraq)? Daniel (of the lion’s den fame) served under him. He reigned at around 605 B.C. At that time, his kingdom was known as the Babylonian Empire. He was a brilliant military strategist. He was the one who conquered the southern kingdom of Judah, his kingdom stretched from Egypt to Middle Asia to Southern Europe. He was also a brilliant architect. He built many bridges, aqueducts, temples and other structures considered modern and innovative at that time. He is famous until now because he was the one who built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the wonders of the ancient world.
Like most men who have accomplished much, he was puffed up with pride. One day, as he was strolling around his magnificent palace, he reflected to himself and said “Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30) While the words were not yet finished in the king’s mouth, a voice from heaven came saying, “Sovereignty has been removed from you. You will be driven from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the Most High is the ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.” (vv 31-32) In just an instant, everything came true. He began eating grass like cattle. In no time, his hair has grown like eagle’s feathers and nails like bird’s claws. After the period of time, the once mighty King’s reason was returned and he finally acknowledged and blessed and praised and honored the One True God, who has dominion over all kingdoms, in all ages.
The great Nebuchadnezzar learned in a very hard way that accomplishments must not lead to pride, but to the exaltation of the Lord God, who is the author of everything. If the Lord is so insistent that a pagan king assign all glory to its righteous recipient, how much more should we, His children, take care to do the same?
Whatever our worth may be, whatever things we can do, whatever we have, we have to recognize that all these things, including our very lives, are from God. Everything depends on Him and Him alone. Our appropriate response should not be pride or self-fulfillment but adoration and worship and praise for our great God who is the source of all.
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