Daniel 4:28-37
Nebuchadnezzar’s Humiliation
[28] All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. [29] At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, [30] and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” [31] While the words were still in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, [32] and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” [33] Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers, and his nails were like birds’ claws.
Nebuchadnezzar Restored
[34] At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”
[36] At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. [37] Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble. (ESV)
This is a story about pride and the way the Lord addresses it. In some ways it is immensely puzzling to me, because it is about the Lord seeking to humble someone who is NOT a believer. The Lord does not want us to be proud, but instead to lower ourselves
1.GOD BREAKS US TO
What do we mean when we say that the Lord will break us?
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE LORD “BREAKING” US, WHAT WE REALLY MEAN IS THE LORD HUMILIATING US. HE PLACES US IN A SITUATION WHERE OUR ABILITIES ARE COMPLETELY INCAPABLE OF MEETING THE TASK.
HUMILIATION IS OFTEN THE QUICKEST WAY TO HUMILITY.
DO YOU SEEK HUMILITY? YOU MUST NO LONGER BE AFRAID OF BEING HUMILIATED.
HUMBLE PEOPLE ARE NOT AFRAID OF BEING HUMILIATED, FOR THEY KNOW THAT THEIR LORD HAS EXPERIENCED A HUMILIATION FOR ALL HUMANITY.
2.GOD HUMBLES US TO
Could it be that in REDEEMING Nebuchadnezzar rather than REPLACING Nebuchadnezzar that his truer purposes are revealed?
Could it be that the Lord uses humiliation so that our hearts will be changed, so that those around us will see the changed heart and give glory to the Lord?
3.GOD REDEEMS US TO
And he told this parable: “A man had ta fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. uCut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” —Luke 13:6-9