Nebuchadnezzar The King of Kings, Part 3

Clinical lycanthropy is a rare disorder in which a human believes that he is turning into an animal. There came a time when the most powerful ruler in the world actually found himself in this very state.

Years into his prosperous reign, Nebuchadnezzar had another dream which was again interpreted by Daniel. In this second dream, God forewarned the king that he would “be given the heart of a beast” (Daniel 4:16) if he continued in his pride and self-conceit.

But Nebuchadnezzar did not heed God’s mercy. Swollen in his riches, satisfied in his splendor, he continued down the doomed pathway. “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling,” he proclaimed an entire year later while sauntering about his palace, “by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” (v. 30).

And in that same hour, just as God had predicted, the mighty Babylonian lost all reason and, for the next seven years, lived like a beast (v. 33). His beastly heart was now revealed for what it truly was.

At the end of seven years, just as God had promised, Nebuchadnezzar regained his senses (v. 34) as well as all his former majesty as king of Babylon (v. 36). But a powerful change had come over him. No more did he prize his own empire, his own works and luxuries; out of his mouth came no more the haughty prestige. Gazing upward to his Deliverer, he proclaimed only this: To God alone be the glory!

He had learned that, though he was king of Babylon, he was just like everyone else—a sinner in need of a Savior, of the God who had revealed the future, who had saved the three Hebrews from the fire, the God who had saved him from himself. It was not he, Nebuchadnezzar, who was the king of kings; it was God the Redeemer. “For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing” (vv. 34, 35).

Reflect: Are you humbled by God? Why do you think being aware of your own sins is such a significant part of having a relationship with God, especially in these last days?

Key Bible Texts

Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. (Daniel 4:37 KJV)