“While the words were still in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” Daniel 4:31-32
The Bible talks much about the imminent fulfilling of God’s word. To the world the concept of imminence means it is going to happen immediately. Thus we see the scoffing described by Peter. “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue just as they were from the beginning of creation.” The world says the fact that Christ has not returned in 2,000 years is reason to mock God for saying His return is imminent. His word is
not true. Nebuchadnezzar does the same thing, forgets God’s word, and life goes on as it always has. Yet the king is about to learn that imminent means when God’s timing is up God’s word will be fulfilled quickly and without time to react. That last part is very important – “no time to react”!
While the words were still in the king’s mouth The king is walking and boasting. Like all of us he is tempted by the pride of life and here he loses the battle. On this day his level of pride reaches the point it
must be punished. Psalm 10:4 tells us why pride is hated by God. “In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” Nebuchadnezzar reached the point that his pride fills him with his own glory and his thoughts totally eliminate God. Pride takes the glory that belongs to God alone and keeps it for one’s self. Pride is essentially self-worship. Romans 1:21 defines pride this way, “For when they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him”. Nebuchadnezzar reached that point. He refuses to humble his heart before God so God brings humbling into his life.
There fell a voice from heaven God leaves no doubt who this message is from. “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets.” God speaks, not to warn but to announce His judgment. There is no time left to make a decision. “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken God is very specific, he knows who he is talking to. He calls the king by name to make sure the king knows He is talking to him.
The kingdom has departed from you God announces this is a done deal. God explains his action – the proud king is to be stripped of his glory. (Do you notice that both here and in hell God removes all that the proud want and desire? There is a reason for that. What they glory in comes from God. Take that away and they are left with what they produced and can glory in – nothing.)
You shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you God repeats what Nebuchadnezzar was told a year ago. God’s decrees do not change. Only changing his heart will turn away the wrath of God.
Until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men Here we find the key to the whole Bible – that we may know. The first step in knowing God is to recognize our true state before Him. Then we know we need a Savior. Nebuchadnezzar’s chastisement will continue until he knows this truth.
And gives it to whom he will It is God’s choice who will be exalted and given power. Unless the king realizes what he is in God’s sight, he will remain arrogant in heart which is an abomination to the
Lord for it is false and a lie. God says that will not go unpunished. (Proverbs 16:5) For the king imminent means God’s time for judgment to fall is now. Every person reaches that point.