One of the strongest and most emphatic declarations of the independence of our God came from the lips of a pagan emperor. In Daniel chapter 4, King Nebuchadnezzar uttered a remarkable testimony. It sprang from his humiliation under the chastening hand of God.
For seven long years, the king had lived in humiliation in the fields as an ox, eating grass and sleeping under the stars. The Bible describes his hair as “eagles’ feathers” and his fingernails were “like birds’ claws” (v. 33). However, the proud king, now thoroughly humbled by God Almighty, emerged from this period of chastening a wiser and better man.
Afterward, the king testified: “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: 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?” (Daniel 4:34–35).
If anyone on earth ever truly ruled with absolute, supreme sovereignty, it was Nebuchadnezzar. He was the mightiest emperor of one of the mightiest empires that ever dominated the face of the earth. As a young general in 605 B.C., while his father was still alive and on the throne, Nebuchadnezzar was the victor at the dramatic Battle of Charchemish.
In this battle, the Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar’s command completely annihilated the Egyptian army of Pharaoh Necho. This decisive defeat of the enemy ended the dominion of the Egyptian chariot corps in the Middle East. Following this victory, the Babylonian general consolidated his gains and returned to Babylon to ascend the throne upon the death of his father.
In 586 B.C., the armies of Nebuchadnezzar breached the defensive walls of Jerusalem and burned the Temple of Solomon, plundering the gold and Temple treasures and bringing back captives to Babylon. This event was only one of a string of victories that brought dozens of sovereign nations and people groups into the orb of the Babylonian Empire.
Nebuchadnezzar was a proud, haughty ruler. He was a visionary leader. He built Babylon on a grand scale, fashioning an ornate, beautiful palace for himself. His famous “Hanging Gardens of Babylon” are still considered among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It is no wonder that, according to Daniel 4:30, this proud king announced, “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?”
At the very moment of his proud pronouncement, God Himself spoke! “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. 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” (Daniel 4:31–32).
One of Nebuchadnezzar’s favorite names for himself was the bombastic title, “King of the Universe.” But on that fateful day of God’s judgment, Nebuchadnezzar found out Who is the real King of the Universe! Over the course of seven years of humiliation, the proud king was humbled and brought to his senses.
His testimony that God is the One Who “doeth according to his will in the army of heaven” (Daniel 4:35) is an acknowledgement that God alone is the sovereign Lord of lords. Even the mightiest kings on earth are dependent upon God for their power. He is the One Who “removeth kings, and setteth up kings” (Daniel 2:21).
As God’s children, when we view and consider current events, we should be reminded that He alone is completely independent. He takes counsel from none. He needs permission from none. Humbled Nebuchadnezzar rightly acknowledged that when God decides to act, “none can stay his hand.” Almighty God is independent in His rule over all.
We can rest in the truth that our God, the King of the universe, is forever upon the throne. He never seeks reelection. His term is unlimited. His power is unchecked. His decrees cannot be altered. His armies are never defeated.
As for Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian emperor, his confession closes Daniel chapter 4. “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” (verse 37). May this same response spring from our hearts and we express that truly there is a King in Heaven Who rules over mankind. Not only must we worship Him as King of kings, but we can also know and love Him in a personal relationship through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
