Biblical Reflections · Christian Life

Out of our minds?

6 min read, approximately

_“A year later, the king was walking on the terrace of his palace in Babylon and said: ‘Look how great Babylon is! I built this city by my power. I have made it the capital of my kingdom to show how great I am!’ The king had not finished speaking when a voice was heard from heaven saying: ‘Listen to what will happen to you, King Nebuchadnezzar! You no longer have any power over your kingdom. You will be driven away from people. You will live with the animals, eat grass like cattle, and be wet with dew. You will live this way for seven years, until you realize that the Most High God alone rules over human kingdoms. God alone decides who governs them.’” (Daniel 4:29-32)

Continuing…

“In that very hour the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled, and he was driven away from people. He ate grass like oxen, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until his hair grew like an eagle’s feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. But at the end of that time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me. I blessed the Most High and praised and glorified the one who lives forever, for his dominion is everlasting and his kingdom endures through all generations. All the inhabitants of the earth are counted as nothing; he acts according to his will among the army of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain his hand or say to him: What are you doing?” (Daniel 4:33-35)

King Nebuchadnezzar

The Word records that there was a king in Babylon named Nebuchadnezzar. He was a great and remarkable king, and his fame spread among many peoples of the earth. Among other things, the conquest and captivity of Jerusalem are attributed to him (2 Kings 2). However, Daniel 3 shows us that his foolishness led him to build a great golden statue, declaring,

“… whoever does not bow down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” (Daniel 3:6)

… which Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego opposed with good reason:

“You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image or any likeness of what is above in heaven, below on the earth, or in the waters beneath the earth. You shall not bow down to them or honor them, for I am the LORD your God, mighty and jealous, visiting the wickedness of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.” (Exodus 20:3-5).

Well, as always, God displayed his power before all Babylon, saving Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fire. However, God had already planned to punish Nebuchadnezzar’s foolishness.

A warning to Nebuchadnezzar

One of the things I appreciate most about the Lord is that he always warns us and urges us to turn back from our wrong ways. The very next chapter records:

“I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and flourishing in my palace. I had a dream that frightened me, and as I lay in bed, the images and visions in my head troubled me. So I ordered all the wise men of Babylon to come before me and make known to me the interpretation of the dream.” (Daniel 4:4-6_)

Interpreting the dream, Daniel tells him:

“This is the interpretation, O king, and the decree of the Most High that has come upon my lord the king: You will be driven away from people, and your dwelling will be with the beasts of the field. You will be fed grass like oxen and drenched with the dew of heaven; seven times will pass over you until you understand that the Most High rules over the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever he wishes. And the command to leave the stump and roots of that tree in the ground [means that] your kingdom will remain secure for you once you understand that heaven rules.” (Daniel 4:24-26)

And he adds:

“Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if there may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.” (Daniel 4:27 ASV)

Consequences

Sadly, 1 year passes, and there is no record of the king of Babylon repenting of his foolishness. Then he experienced what is recorded in Daniel 4:29-37.

Nebuchadnezzar’s steps toward losing his mind were:

\1. Failing to acknowledge God in his ways and acting foolishly: Erecting a great statue to be worshiped. (Proverbs 3:6)

\2. Pride and arrogance: Someone comes and tells him to repent, but instead he lets time pass (12 months) What do I have to repent of? To whom must I give an account? Am I not the great King Nebuchadnezzar? (James 4:16)

\3. Loss of blessing: The blessing of power, wealth, and kingdom was taken from him (Proverbs 16:18)

\4. Loss of reason: “he ate grass like oxen”… (James 4:17, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Romans 1:28)

For reflection

All right… We have been talking about the king of Babylon, but… what about us? Are we at one of the steps above? Are we acting according to our own judgment? Are we behaving haughtily and arrogantly? Be careful! Let us not act like fools and novices, becoming puffed up and falling into the devil’s condemnation until we lose our reason (1 Timothy 3:6).

You know, today, once again, there is still time:

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

So let us submit to God, walk in his precepts and statutes, and live in humility… and

“… if we are out of our minds, it is for God; and if we are of sound mind, it is for you.” (2 Corinthians 5:13)

What do you think?

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May God continue to bless you, and may you keep having an excellent day in Christ Jesus!