Pride's Frightening Consequence

PRIDE’S FRIGHTENING CONSEQUENCE

"Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise, exalt, and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride." Daniel 4:37

Nebuchadnezzar had a very troubling dream which could not be explained by the wise men, astrologers and soothsayers of Babylon. Daniel was called and give the king the meaning of his dream which foretold the dire punishment that was ahead if the king did not repent.

I. WHO NEBUCHADNEZZER WAS AND WHAT HE HAD:

1. Ruler of the entire known world:

"Nebuchadnezzar the king to all the peoples, nations, and men of every language that live in all the earth: ’May your peace abound!" Daniel 4:1

2. A man of immeasurable wealth:

"I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and flourishing in my palace." Daniel 4:4

3. A man given to rank idolatry:

"And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into Nebuchadnezzar’s hand, along with some of the vessels of the house of God; and he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his gods, and he brought the vessels into the treasury of his gods."

Daniel 1:2

4. A man of great genius and exalted ego:

Nebuchadnezzar personally designed and directed the construction of the "Hanging Gardens of Babylon", one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

"The king reflected and said, ’Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?" Daniel 4:30.

II. WHAT HE BECAME AND WHAT HE LOST:

1. Daniel calls upon the king to repent of his sins:

"Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity."

Daniel 4:27

2. A year passes but The king refuses to repent.

"All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. The king spoke, saying, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?" Daniel 4:28-30.

3. The punishment of God upon the king is announced.

"While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you!

And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses." Daniel 4:31-32.

4. The punishment of God upon the king begins.

"That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws." Daniel 4:33.

5. The king’s punishment ends; he repents and praises God.

"And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is from generation to generation. Daniel 4:34-35 (NKJV)

III. THE KING IS DELIVERED AND GLORIFIES GOD:

"And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: 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; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, ’What have You done?’

"At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. Daniel 4:34-36 (NKJV)

IV. NEBUCHADNEZZAR DECLARES THE FRIGHTENING CONSEQUENCE OF SINFUL PRIDE:

"Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise, exalt, and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride." Daniel 4:37