Today in the Plan: Daniel 4

In the process of fulfilling my tentative commitment to hopefully read through the Bible in about four years, I landed today in Daniel 4. I don’t have much time to comment on it, but I find this to be an astounding passage.

Here’s the greatest king in the world during his day, whose success as king somehow overshadows the ways in which God has already revealed Himself (in Daniel 1-3), so that he still considers himself both the means and the end of his massive kingdom.

So after warning him in no uncertain terms, God removes both his kingdom and his sanity, and deposits him out in a field to eat grass and act like an animal for seven years.

What Nebuchadnezzar says after his recover is what really strikes me (vv 34-37):

"But at the end of that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason 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 endures from generation to generation.
All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
But He does according to His will in the host of heaven
And among the inhabitants of earth;
And no one can ward off His hand
Or say to Him, 'What have You done?'

At that time my reason returned to me. And my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom, and my counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my sovereignty, and surpassing greatness was added to me. 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."

These are unprecedented words from a Gentile king, and seem to indicate Nebuchadnezzar's genuine conversion.

More on this later, maybe. Time to go figure out a way to pay the bills.