206. DAN 4:33. HISTORY OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR

Dan_4:33. History of Nebuchadnezzar

"The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar, and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws."’97Dan_4:33

The history of Nebuchadnezzar is peculiarly astonishing. There is nothing like it either in sacred or profane history. His career was like that of some mighty comet: bold, eccentric, and producing the most signal events. God has been pleased to give it a place in those lively oracles, which are profitable either for doctrines, reproof, or instruction in righteousness.

Let us notice,

I. The leading Events in his History.

II. The more striking Features of his Personal Character.

III. As the Subject both of the Divine Judgment and Mercy.

Let us consider,

I. The leading Events in his History.

Nebuchadnezzar was the son of Nabopollassar, and succeeded that monarch in the government of Chaldea, in the year of the world 3399.

He attacked and overcame Jehoiakim robbed him of his treasures, and afterwards subdued and destroyed him. 2Ki_24:1.

He also took Zedekiah captive, put out his eyes, and bound him in chains, after having put his sons to death in his presence.

He plundered Jerusalem of its riches The vessels of the temple he placed in the temples of his idols at Babylon. His kingdom was celebrated for its riches and magnificence, and his conquests were altogether unprecedented, and almost innumerable. He also took Egypt, with its immense spoils, and brought great numbers of its celebrated personages captive to Babylon.

It is generally supposed, that during the peace which followed, he expended incalculable sums of money in adorning Babylon with magnificent buildings; and erected the famous hanging gardens, one of the wonders of the world.

At this time he became the subject of a very astonishing dream, which the diviners could not possibly interpret. At length Daniel gave the interpretation. Dan_2:1, &c.

Afterwards he had another dream, which Daniel again interpreted; one exceedingly ominous and terrific. See Dan_4:19, &c.

Let us notice.

II. The more striking Features of his Personal Character.

1. He was a public notorious idolater.

Yea, he was a maker and patronizer of idols. Hence the image on the plain of Dura. Dan_3:1.

Consider the inexcusable folly and infatuation of idolatry. Paying divine honors to a mere senseless image.

2. He was noted for his relentless cruelty.

Case of Zedekiah. 2Ki_25:7. Also casting into the fiery furnace the Hebrew children. Dan_3:22.

3. He was distinguished for his insatiable ambition.

He was constantly a man of war and blood.

4. He was also proud, haughty, and impious.

Hence his language respecting his gods. Dan_3:14, &c. His impious address, "Is not this great Babylon that I have built," &c., iv. 30.

Let us consider him,

III. As the Subject both of the Divine Judgment and Mercy.

God brought his judgments upon him. His affliction,

1. Was insanity.

Reason dethroned. Became brutish; herded with the cattle, &c. His affliction,

2. Was divine.

God entered into the lists with him. He whom he had despised and contemned direct from heaven. Impress of God’s seal upon it.

3. It was severe.

Loss of property; of friends; of health; reputation, &c., often distressing. But Nebuchadnezzar was hurled from the lofty pinnacle of worldly grandeur and glory, down to a level with the brutes. Driven from his palace, and from human society. Incapable of reflection; degraded, and wretched indeed.

4. It was singularly appropriate to his crimes.

He made himself as God; God made him as a brute. He boasted of his glory; God made him utterly despicable. He had adored his reason, and worshipped the work of his own hands; God removed from him the one, and banished him from the other. He made humanity sick with his cruel oppressions, and humanity is freed from his presence But it was.

5. Limited and followed by Divine mercy. Had it not, he would have been utterly consumed. God’s mercy did not utterly forsake him. He turned back his captivity restored all his blessings, &c. God’s judgments,

6. Produced reformation.

Hence he blessed God; and praised and honored him that liveth forever. Confessed God’s works and ways to be truth and judgment, &c. &c. Dan_4:36. it is highly probable that he was a sincere penitent, and recipient of the Divine mercy; and, as we have no account of a relapse into sin, we hope that he swells the lists of the Manassehs and Magdalens who in like manner were plucked as brands from the burning.

Application

Learn,

1. The universal government of God.

He ruleth over all. His empire comprehends all creatures, from the insect to the highest angel in the Divine presence. None too great to be exempt from his surveyance and control.

2. The wickedness of pride.

Pride, of every sort, is exceedingly hateful to God. Pride of person, genius, riches, &c. It expelled angels from heaven. One principal ingredient in our first parents’ crime. Ruined Haman. Caused Herod to be eaten up with worms, &c. &c.

3. The greatness of Divine mercy.

In the midst of wrath he remembered mercy.

Lord, when I count thy mercies o’er,

They strike me with surprise:

Not all the sands that spread the shore

To equal numbers rise.

4. The importance of the Divine favor.

His frown is death; his favor better than life. Only obtained by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the medium and channel of the Divine mercy.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS