Title: Expensive Lessons / Daniel 4:28-37
expensive lesson
Daniel 4:28-37
Nebuchadnezzar, the king of absolute power in Babylon, who ruled the world, learned an expensive lesson. Let's hear his confession. “For all his [God’s] deeds are true, and his deeds are righteous, for he is able to humble anyone who walks proudly.” He enjoyed absolute power and glory at that time to the point where there was no more land to conquer. What kind of process did he go through so that he could learn the above lessons and make that confession in front of people? Let's take a look at God's work of moving the proud to the humble place through the events of Daniel 4, which we meditated on last week.
1. God gives the grace of warning to the proud. (v.28-30)
"After twelve months had passed, while I was walking on the roof of the palace of Babylon, the king said, "Is not this Babylon the great that I have built with power and authority... to display the glory of my majesty" (v. 29-30)
2. God gives the grace of discipline to the proud. (v.31-33)
“At the same time, this happened to me, Nebuchadnezzar, and I was driven away by men and ate like oxen, and my hair was like the hair of an eagle, and my nails were like the claws of birds.” (v.33)
3. God grants the grace of restoration to those who repent. (v.34-37)
“At the same time my understanding returned to me, and my majesty and splendor returned to you regarding the glory of my kingdom, and my counselors and rulers inquired of me… ” (v.36a)
Pride is a serious sin. Because it causes people to forget their original form as a creature and causes serious misunderstandings and wrong actions toward God and those around them. So God takes pride seriously. In some cases, extreme prescriptions are used to treat people infected with pride. There are many words in the Bible, but I pray that you will be able to hear with the ears of the Holy Spirit these words that God gives to our community and each of us today.
“Pride is the beginning of destruction, and a haughty heart precedes a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).