PRIDE GOETH BEFORE A FALL
Sometimes God allows disaster to come to us in the hope that from it we will learn to look to Him. Daniel chapter 4 is a wonderful demonstration of the love and mercy of God and the Gospel in prophecy - how God relentlessly in order to save him, pursues this King who was so steeped in the pagan idolatry of self exaltation, even to the point of madness. This lost Babylonian king had attacked Jerusalem, slaughtered God's professed people, taken many captives (Daniel 1), thrown God’s children alive into a fiery furnace (Daniel 3) and God still sought to save him.
The story of King Nebuchadnezzar is our story. A story of how a loving God will pursue you and I even to the point of death on Calvary in order to get us home. Hopefully our journey will end like King Nebuchadnezzar's, without the way he got there.
"What is justification by faith? It is the work of God in laying the glory of man in the dust, and doing for man that which it is not in his power to do for himself. When men see their own nothingness, they are prepared to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ" so that we like King Nebuchadnezzar can say "Now I .... 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." “The once proud monarch had become a humble child of God.”
"None but God can subdue the pride of man's heart. We cannot save ourselves. We cannot regenerate ourselves. In the heavenly courts there will be no song sung, To me that loved myself, and washed myself, redeemed myself, unto me be glory and honor, blessing and praise. But this is the keynote of the song that is sung by many here in this world. They do not know what it means to be meek and lowly in heart; and they do not mean to know this, if they can avoid it. The whole gospel is comprised in learning of Christ, His meekness and lowliness." {Testimonies to Ministers 456.2}
DANEL CHAPTER 4
1 Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. 3 How great [are] his signs! and how mighty [are] his wonders! his kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion [is] from generation to generation. 4 I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace: 5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. 6 Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise [men] of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof. 8 But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name [was] Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom [is] the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, [saying], 9 O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods [is] in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof. 10 Thus [were] the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof [was] great. 11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: 12 The leaves thereof [were] fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it [was] meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it. 13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven; 14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:
15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and [let] his portion [be] with the beasts in the grass of the earth: 16 Let his heart be changed from manʼs, and let a beastʼs heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him. 17 This matter [is] by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. 18 This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise [men] of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou [art] able; for the spirit of the holy gods [is] in thee. 19 Then Daniel, whose name [was] Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream [be] to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies. 20 The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth; 21 Whose leaves [were] fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it [was] meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation: 22 It [is] thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth. 23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and [let] his portion [be] with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him; 24 This [is] the interpretation, O king, and this [is] the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
"When a man comes to his right mind, he begins to reflect upon his relation to his Maker. It is moral madness to prefer the praise of men to the favor of God, the rewards of iniquity to the treasures of Heaven, the husks of sin to the spiritual food God gives his children. Yet how many who display intelligence and shrewdness in worldly things, manifest an utter disregard to those things that pertain to their eternal interest." {ST, May 19, 1881 par. 18}
25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule. 27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. 28 All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. 30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? 31 While the word [was] in the kingʼs mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, [saying], O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling [shall be] with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 33 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 eaglesʼ [feathers], and his nails like birdsʼ [claws]. 34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom [is] from generation to generation: 35 And all the inhabitants of the earth [are] reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and [among] the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? 36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. 37 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.
BABYLON - THE GREAT HEAD OF GOLD
2:31 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image.......
2:32 This image's head [was] of fine gold,.....
2:37 Thou, O king, [art] a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
2:38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou [art] this head of gold.
4:30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
OVERVIEW
The King of Babylon is humbled and becomes a follower of God.
verses 1-31 Conversion
Nebuchadnezzar built much of Babylon, as bricks bearing his name show. He became proud. Self-worship is the root of evil (see Isa 14:13, 14). Under the symbol of a felled tree God foretold the king that he would
be humbled for seven years. Afterward he became a believer in the true God.
verse 17 The Watcher
(a) There is more than one Watcher (v 17).
(b) The Watchers can pass decrees (v 17). and demand the humbling of men - the felling of the tree.
(c) The Watchersʼ decree is the decree of the Most High: “the DECREE OF THE WATCHERS...to the intent that the living may know that the MOST HIGH ruleth.” (v 17). “the DECREE OF THE MOST HIGH... till thou know that the most High ruleth.” (v23-24).
“...in every place, at every hour in the day, there is a holy Watcher, who balances every account, whose eye takes in the whole situation, whether it is one of fidelity, or one of disloyalty and deception. We are never alone. We have a Companion, whether we choose him or not. Remember, young men and young women, that wherever you are, whatever you are doing, God is there. To your every word and action you have a witness, - the holy, sin-hating God.”E.G. White, Youth Istructor, 26 May, 1898.
Zec 4:10 “...the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.” Rev 5:6 “...a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.”
verses 32-33 Eating grass like an Ox
Modern psychiatry recognizes a condition of animal-like behaviour in human beings. The ancients believed that the gods made people insane and that if one killed someone who was insane, the insanity would come upon the murderer. No one would kill such a person so in this way Nebuchadnezzar was protected during his madness. Godʼs mercy is seen in afflicting the king this way.
verse 34 Seven times
A time is clearly a long period, long enough for the kingʼs nails and hair to grow long. A “time” symbolizes a year.
WHAT CAN WE LEARN?
God will humble us in order to help us find salvation. We hear no more of Nebuchadnezzar after this chapter. From being the most powerful king of his time to becoming a humble follower we leave him rejoicing in salvation.
In every crisis in our lives we too can learn that self does not have all the answers. Problems that expose our weakness should point us to the One who is longing to help by giving us the strength we need. When suffering comes and you cry out, “Where is God?...” remember that He is just where He was when He watched His Son being crucified to save us.
God hates suffering, but sometimes He allows suffering because it is the only way He has left to make us see our need of Him.
When suffering comes your way and you cry out, “Where is God?...” remember that He is just where He was when He watched His Son being crucified to save you.
COMMENTARY
This author of Daniel chapter 4 is Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. The terminology of praise reminds us of Psalm 143. which suggests that Daniel, being familiar with the Pslams, may have assisted Nebuchadnezzar in composing this chapter.
This chapter is a wonderful demonstration of the love and mercy of God. This Babylonian king had attacked Jerusalem, taken many captive (Dan 1), thrown God’s children into a fiery furnace (Dan 3) and God still sought to save him
1 Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you [“The once proud monarch had become a humble child of God.” PK 521].
2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me [this refers to the experience given in the body of this chapter].
3 How great [are] his signs! and how mighty [are] his wonders! his kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion [is] from generation to generation.
4 I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:
5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me [note the similarity of terminology to Dan 2:3; 28].
6 Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise [men] of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.
7 Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof [In Daniel 2 they claimed they would explain the vision if the king told it them. Here we see that even when they were told the vision they were unable to make known its meaning (v 18). It is however possible that they guessed at the general idea of its meaning but were afraid to tell the king].
8 But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name [was] Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom [is] the spirit of the holy gods [of the holy god (singular). RSV margin]: and before him I told the dream, [saying],
9 O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, [cf. 2:48] because I know that the spirit of the holy gods [is] in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof [The king was not asking Daniel to describe the dream AND its interpretation In this instance the dream was known known and told to Daniel (v 10-18). The king wanted its interpretation..
Other Bible translations read:
“Here is the dream which I saw; tell me its interpretation.” RSV
“Listen to the vision of the dream which I have seen, and tell me its interpretation.” Theodotions Greek].
10 Thus [were] the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof [was] great [Divine wisdom often uses parables and similitudes to transmit truths. Such imagery helps one retain the message in the memory.
“The tree symbolism was not strange to Nebuchadnezzar. Herodotus tells of the case of Astyages, Nebuchadnezzar’s brother-in-law, who had also dreamed of a tree symbolizing his dominion over part of the world. Nebuchadnezzar himself, in an inscription, compares Babylon to a great tree sheltering the nations of the world.” Quoted by J. Doukhan, in Secrets of Daniel, (Hagerstown, Md.: Review & Herald, 2000), p63].
"We should now acquaint ourselves with God by proving his promises. Angels record every prayer that is earnest and sincere. We should rather dispense with selfish gratifications than neglect communion with God. The deepest poverty, the greatest self-denial, with his approval, is better than riches, honors, ease, and friendship without it. We must take time to pray. If we allow our minds to be absorbed by worldly interests, the Lord may give us time by removing from us our idols of gold, of houses, or of fertile lands." {GC88 622.1}
11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth [This is a symbolic vision given to a Pagan king and cannot be used to argue that the Bible teaches a flat earth]:
12 The leaves thereof [were] fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it [was] meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.
13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven.
[THE WATCHER
This Watcher is probably Christ.
Note:
(a) There is more than one Watcher (v 17).
(b) The Watchers have power to pass decrees (v 17).
(c) The Watchers can demand the humbling of men:
(d) The Watcher can command the felling of the tree.
(e) The Watchers decree is the decree of the Most High:
“the DECREE OF THE WATCHERS...to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth.” (v 17)
“the DECREE OF THE MOST HIGH...till thou know that the most High ruleth.” (v23-24)
Nebuchadnezzar recognized that the holy “Watcher” was “similar in appearance to the the One who walked with the three Hebrews in the fiery furnace.” E.G. White, Review & Herald, Feb. 1, 1881
“To every nation...God has assigned a place in His great plan” and has given an opportunity to “fulfil the purpose of ‘the Watcher and the Holy One.” Ed 178, 177
E.G. White, The Youth's Instructor, 26 May 1898 “...realize that in every place, at every hour in the day, there is a holy Watcher, who balances every account, whose eye takes in the whole situation, whether it is one of fidelity, or one of disloyalty and deception. We are never alone. We have a Companion, whether we choose him or not. Remember, young men and young women, that wherever you are, whatever you are doing, God is there. To your every word and action you have a witness,--the holy, sin-hating God.”
Throughout history God has been the Watcher who cares for His people:
Zec 4:10 “...the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.”
Rev 5:6 “...a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.”];
14 He [the Watcher. cf. v 23] cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:
15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass [perhaps to prevent the stump splitting of cracking. Daniel does not directly interpret the bands but they seem to serve to preserve the tree. There is some evidence for a Mesopotamian custom of putting metal bands on trees, whether to prevent them from cracking or for some other reason that is not clear. Remnants of a tree with bronze rings or bands were unearthed at Khorsabad, at the entrance to the temple of [the sun god] Shamash. (See J.J. Collins, Daniel [Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1993], p226], in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and [let] his portion [be] with the beasts in the grass of the earth [cf. Job 14:7-9; Isa 11:1]:
"Nearest the throne are those who were once zealous in the cause of Satan, but who, plucked as brands from the burning, have followed their Saviour with deep, intense devotion. Next are those who perfected Christian characters in the midst of falsehood and infidelity, those who honored the law of God when the Christian world declared it void, and the millions, of all ages, who were martyred for their faith. And beyond is the "great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, . . . before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands." Revelation 7:9. . . . {Maranatha 339.2}
16 Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him [the tree clearly represents a man whose nature would become like that of a beast. cf. Dan 7:4 where a lion was given a man’s heart]; and let seven times [Aramaic, iddan] pass over him [The majority of ancient & modern interpreters believe the Aramaic,iddan, (also in vs. 23, 25, 32; Dan 7:25; 12:7) means years.
Verse 33 shows that the seven times were a considerable period, long enough to grow long hair and nails.
The tree represents Nebuchadnezar who became temporarily insane for 7 years. The resprouting of the stump represented his restoration to health cf. v 26 & 36].
17 This matter [is] by the decree of the watchers (The Watcher pass decrees. cf. v 13), and the demand by the word of the holy ones [The”holy ones” may be the angels]: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
18 This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise [men] of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou [art] able; for the spirit of the holy gods [is] in thee.
19 Then Daniel, whose name [was] Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour [Aramaic shaah. Impossible to define the length of this period. Daniel had immediatelly understood the interpretation and for some time he searched for suitable words by which to inform the king of the terrible news], and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee
[Nebuchadnezzar could obviously see the consternation on Daniel’s face. The dream could only have an unpleasant interpretation and the king encouraged Daniel that he could speak without incuring royal disfavour]. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream [be] to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies [Daniel, though a captive, harboured no ill feelings toward Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel’s words should not be understood as expressing malice toward the kings enemies. The answer was simply a courteous reply in true Oriental fashion].
20 The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;
21 Whose leaves [were] fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it [was] meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:
22 It [is] thou, O king, that art grown and become strong [Daniel confirmed the intrerpretation Nebuchadnezzar had no doubt expected]: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.
23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one [Christ. See verse13] coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth [not a total destruction], even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and [let] his portion [be] with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;
24 This [is] the interpretation, O king, and this [is] the decree of the most High [see v13], which is come upon my lord the king:
The Bible applies the 7 “times” to King Nebuchadnezzar’s seven year madness: The prophecy of the 7 times concerned and was fulfilled by King Nebuchadnezzar and his seven year madness. There is no proof that the tree symbolised anything else.
25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee [God would preserve it, symbolized by the bands to stop it cracking], after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.
27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
28 All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon [It apparently took 12 months for the fearful interpretation to fade from Nebuchadnezzars consciousness].
30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of thekingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty [Many inscriptions by Nebuchadnezzar have been unearthed in Babylon. “Then built I the palace, the seat of my royalty, the bond of the race of men, the dwelling of exultation and rejoicing.” Keilinschritliche Bibliothek, Vol. 3, part 2, p39
Nebuchadnezzar did not found Babylon but his building activities were so extensive that it has been said, “little could be seen [in Babylon] that had not been erected in his time.”]?
31 While the word [was] in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, [saying], O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling [shall be] with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar [Note that the prophecy concerned, and was fulfilled in, the life of Nebuchadnezzar]: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen [of course it does not say that grass was his only food], and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' [feathers], and his nails like birds' [claws] [Some forms of insanity result in men thinking they are animals. An ancient example of such a case has been discovered. An unpublished cuniform tablet in the British museum mentions a man who ate grass like a cow. (F.M. Th. de Liagre Bohl, Opera Minora [1953], p527.
Nebuchadnezzar’s malady may however have been unique. A cuneiform tablet published in 1975 may refer to Nebuchadnezzar’s madness. It states that the king gave contradictory orders, refused to accept counsel, showed love neither to son nor daughter, neglected his family, and no longer performed his duties as head of state.” (See Siegfried H. Horn, in Ministry, April 1978, p40
“life appeared of no value to” him, that “he does not show love to son and daughter,” and that “family and clan does not exist” for him any longer.” (A. K. Grayson, Babylonian Historical-Literary Texts [Toronto, 1975], pp. 88-92).].
34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom [is] from generation to generation:
35 And all the inhabitants of the earth [are] reputed as nothing [this is so similar to Isa 40:17 that some believe Nebuchadnezzar had become aware of it through his association with Daniel]: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and [among] the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
37 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.
SELF EXALTATION
Self exaltation began in heaven with a created angelic being who was the most beautiful and highly intellectual of all. His name was Lucifer. It is a mystery how sin entered the universe of God. The greatest battle ever fought is the battle against self. Lucifer lost that battle but Christ was victorious in the struggle.
SELF...ISH EXALTATION
LUCIFER / SATAN
1. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer,
2. son of the morning!
3. [how] art thou cut down to the ground,
4. which didst weaken the nations!
5. I will ascend into heaven
6. I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:
7. I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
8. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
9. I will be like the most High. Isaiah 14:12-14
SELF LESS HUMILITY
JESUS CHRIST
1. Came from Heaven. - John 8:42
2. Daystar arise in your hearts - 2Peter 1:19
3. Christ was cut off - Isaiah 53:8
4. I can do all things through Christ - Php 4:13
5. thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
6. But made himself of no reputation,
7. took upon him the form of a servant, he humbled himself,
8. God also hath highly exalted him, ...: That at the name of Jesus
9. every knee should bow,... Php 2:6-10
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:7,8
John 13:19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am [he].
John 14:29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
BUT
Matthew 5:5 "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.