Sunday 15 April 2018

Nebuchadnezzar's Pride (BD13)

Dan 4:18 "This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its interpretation, since all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for the Spirit of the Holy God is in you."
    This statement from King Nebuchadnezzar revealed the respect he had for prophet Daniel, who alone could interprete his dream. With this great respect, Daniel was able to share the bad news of his coming madness, humiliations, sufferings and pains, which were God's chastisement. Anyone else who dared to share such bad news with the king will definitely be put to death.

Pride of King Nebuchadnezzar
Dan 4:22 "it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your dominion to the end of the earth."
    God showed King Nebuchadnezzar that pride was his biggest problem. As promised, by God, He would revealed to him (as God's servant) the method how he could help him deal the sin of pride.
   Amos 3:7-8 Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken! Who can but prophesy?

Nebuchadnezzar in great Humility
Dan 4:24-25 "this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king: They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses."
    The interpretation of the dream was that King Nebuchadnezzar would become insane and driven out from men to live among the beasts in the field. Without any roofing his body would be wet with dew every morning. And just like an ox, he would eat grass in the field. He lived like an animal for seven years! His hair was likened to eagle's feathers and his nails like bird's claws.
   The greatest humility - the great Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar was reduced to an animal feeding on grass and living in the open fields. Even beggars have more dignity then him. (cf. Jesus' birth)
Dan 4:33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; 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.

Our Lord's Birth in Humility
    Our Lord Jesus Christ was the King of kings and the Lord of Lords and above all the heavenly hosts. He humbled Himself to be made flesh, a human being and a servant. He was born in the stable amongst the animals as a sacrificial Lamb of God. He was put in a manger (a trough holding food or water for the animals) revealing that He came as the Bread of life (food) and living Water for His sheep (Christians). Not only was our Lord born in humility, His whole life on earth was in humility:- poor family, baptized by John, ministry supported by women, rode on a donkey entering Jerusalem and finally He submitted Himself to God's will by suffering the lashes and dying on the cross.
    Brethren, unless we humble ourselves and repent of our pride, lusts, covetousness, selfishness; the coming World War 3 along with the calamities will wipe out everything reducing us to eat grass on starvation.



Jesus lying in the manger amongst the animals.