“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything He does is right and all His ways are just. And those who walk in pride He is able to humble.” Daniel 4:37
In Daniel 4, we read a letter written by King Nebuchadnezzar and sent throughout the Babylonian empire, telling all the people of the events that had happened to him. He had another dream, of a tree that was cut down to a stump, was forgotten about for seven years, but then sprouted again. He sought Daniel to interpret it for him, who explained it was referring to him: he would be deposed from his throne for seven years, but if he would repent, he would be restored. This is indeed what happened to Nebuchadnezzar. And the reason for his fall? “he said, ‘Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” (Dan. 4:30). We read elsewhere in the Scriptures that pride goes before a fall (Prov. 16:18).
We might not be the king of an empire, the boss of a company, or be in leadership over anybody, but we should all take note of this. None of us are invincible. We brought nothing into the world; everything we have – including our abilities – has been given to us by God. If we do become puffed up with pride, God is able to bring us down at any time. How much better it is to humble ourselves, so we will not be humbled publicly like Nebuchadnezzar.
But there is a happy ending: After the seven years, Nebuchadnezzar saw the light. He acknowledged that God was the supreme ruler over all, including him. And God restored him to his former position.
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