King Nebuchadnezzar is one of the most well-known Old Testament bad guys. He conquered Jerusalem (twice), destroyed Solomon’s temple, and took many Jews captive, including Daniel the prophet as well as Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—who are better known by their Babylonian names: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He initiated the period of Jewish history known as the Babylonian captivity, which lasted 70 years. “I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace. I saw a dream which MADE ME AFRAID, and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.” (Dan. 4:4-5)
He dreamed of a tree so enormous that, “its top touched the sky” (Dan. 4:11) Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant, and it sheltered and fed every creature on Earth. Then an angel comes along and commands that the tree be cut down…so that the stump can go insane for seven years. Daniel said, “The tree that you saw…is you, O king…please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor.” (Dan. 4:20-22, 27) So, did the King obey this word from the Lord? “Twelve months later he walking on the roof of the palace. He said, ‘Look at this great city of Babylon! By MY OWN mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display MY MAJESTIC SPLENDOR…That very hour…he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.” (Dan. 4:29-30, 33)
“There are seven things the Lord hates: (#1.) haughty eyes…” (Prov. 6:16-17) This is PRIDE that the Lord hates, “God 1OPPOSES the proud…” (1 Peter 5:5) 1antitassomai: to oppose, to go to battle against. Why does God feel this way? He says, “I am the LORD, and there is NO OTHER; There is NO GOD BESIDES ME.“ (Isa. 45:5) Because of Nebuchadnezzar’s pride he was changed into a beast, Then at the end of seven years, “I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and I BLESSED THE MOST HIGH AND PRAISED AND HONORED HIM who lives forever: For His DOMINION is an everlasting dominion, And His KINGDOM is from generation to generation.” (Dan. 4:34)
-Bill Stockham