“At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me.” Daniel 4:36
The previous verses constitute King Nebuchadnezzar’s verbal confession of his faith in God. Here the king gives glory to God for who He is with a song of praise. The King praises God for His faithfulness to him, even as he was mentally deranged for seven
years.
At the same time Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges God’s purpose for his punishment. At the same time the King looked into the skies and acknowledged God’s greatness, God fulfilled His promise to Nebuchadnezzar.
My reason returned to me God restored Nebuchadnezzar’s mental capacities, his knowledge, his reasoning returned. Nebuchadnezzar was ready to resume his position as king just as God had told him. “The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that
the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom
he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.” (Daniel 4:17) In making his confession to his kingdom of the greatness of God, Nebuchadnezzar fulfills God’s requirement that “the living may know”.
For the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. Nebuchadnezzar discusses what God restored to him – his glory as the king of Babylon, his majesty and his splendor. These things, which once were of utmost importance to Nebuchadnezzar as things he earned and deserved, are now recognized as gifts from God to be used to give God the glory He deserves. Imagine after 7 years in the fields, the glory of the kingdom has not diminished but now it points to God, not Nebuchadnezzar.
My counselors and my lords sought me This is an amazing statement. Remember Daniel (at the lion’s den) and his three friends (at the fiery furnace) were attacked by jealous rivals who wanted to remove them from their positions. Here we see that for seven years God protected the king’s position and allowed no one to take it. He likely used Daniel, who was chief of the Chaldeans, as part of that protection. God restored Nebuchadnezzar’s mind so even his counselors now respected and sought his direction and guidance.
I was established in my kingdom King Nebuchadnezzar was reinstated to his throne, his sovereignty. Established means returned as if nothing had changed. God truly can “restore the years the canker worm has eaten away” – meditate on the greatness of that promise!
Still more greatness was added to me Nebuchadnezzar now views the accomplishments of his kingdom in a very different way. In verse 30 Nebuchadnezzar proclaimed with great pride, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” Here the glory of his kingdom is seen as a gift from God to the king and God makes it even greater than before.
What can we learn? There are many lessons here but the greatness of God stands out. God hates pride for it steals the glory that
belongs to Him and gives it to his creation. Yet, just like at the cross, we see God’s love for mankind merge with his hatred of sin.
God loves this evil cruel arrogant Babylonian ruler. He calls him, as he does every single person who has ever lived, to Himself.
The horror of hell, separation from God for eternity, is so awful that God knows that even seven years living as an animal in the
fields is worth it if it breaks a heart of pride. It is interesting that first four books of Daniel are really the story of the lengths God
goes to in order to call one person to know Him and to trust Him. Satan wants to hide this love. He wants us to focus on God’s wrath and blame Him for al the bad things that happen. Nebuchadnezzar shows us the exact opposite focus. For the first time he recognizes God for who He truly is.