The chapter four of Daniel is a special one. This is a testimony of Nebuchadnezzar personally written by him. He was a pagan king and followed multiple Gods all through his life but was deeply touched by what he had experienced and saw in the life of Daniel, Shadrach, Mishael, and Azariah. His untold dreams were interpreted to his utter surprise, which made him fall before the slave boy from Jerusalem. He saw three young men refused to obey his commands to bow down before his statue, instead willing to die for the sake of God unknown to him. Surprisingly, instead of getting burnt they came out alive.
The final blow to his character correction came through another vision. He had to fall back on his chief magician Daniel (Belteshazzar) once again to interpret the vision. Belteshazzar means “Bel protect the king”. Bel is the Babylonian God. Thus, Nebuchadnezzar called Daniel as a man named after his own God. He believed Daniel processed something special, the spirit of Holy Gods through which he can interpret any dream. Note the plural form of Gods.
God revealed in advance the cost of Nebuchadnezzar’s failure to give all the glory to Him through the vision. Despite seeing the miracles, Nebuchadnezzar believed in himself and his own Gods. Daniel pleaded with him to acknowledge the true God and glorify Him alone. Otherwise, he would be thrown out of his own kingdom and live a life of an animal until he glorifies the God of Jehovah. This is very much like what Paul wrote to Romans in chapter 1 verses 24 to 28. The words “God gave them over”repeated three times in that passage. God wants to be glorified through our lives. We are expected to give all the glorify to Him through our life, words, action. If we continue to live a boastful and selfish life, God will give us over to the desires of this earth.
Exactly after twelve months after seeing the vision, Nebuchadnezzar was on the roof of his royal palace. He could not resists making a boastful statement about his power, glory, and majesty all in one go. Bible says, while the words are in his lips, word came from the Lord that he will be thrown away from the royal palace and will live like wild animals. He will eat grass till he acknowledges the heaven. After seven years Nebuchadnezzar lifted his eyes up and glorified the God of heaven and earth. His kingdom was restored back.
Isn’t it a practical lesson for every one of us? We receive our education, job, position, and salary from our God and by his grace. But even after knowing it we at times start believing that we earned everything through our talents. We might boast about our skills and position like Nebuchadnezzar. If we do not acknowledge God for all the good things we enjoy in our life, our fate is not far different from what Nebuchadnezzar went through.
Hence let’s take time to give glory to God for everything in life. Lets always go to him with the thankful heart.
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