Daniel 3-4
I expect that many of us are somewhat familiar with Daniel 3. We are probably less familiar with Daniel 4.
Although Nebuchadnezzar’s response to Daniel’s interpretation of his dream is favorable in Daniel 2, he does not then put his full faith in Daniel’s God. He continues in idolatry, erecting an enormous golden image and commanding that all bow down and worship it. Daniel’s friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego), refuse to bow down to this image, so Nebuchadnezzar has them thrown into a fiery furnace, from which they emerge unscathed, without even the smell of smoke. This is the story many of us may know from Sunday School, but I’m betting our focus has been on God’s miraculous work saving the three friends (Yay!), or maybe on their extraordinary faith (Yay!), and not so much on Nebuchadnezzar, whose response to this encounter with the living God is again quite favorable — and again in stark contrast to the people of Jerusalem. But even after this great miracle, as far as full faith in God is concerned, Nebuchadnezzar is not quite “there” yet.
God then gives Nebuchadnezzar another dream, and Daniel is called in again to interpret. Daniel urges the king to repent, to do righteousness, and to show mercy. (Dan. 4:27) Nebuchadnezzar probably gives Daniel’s advice fair consideration — for a time, at least — but pride is a hard thing to give up, especially when you are the most powerful person around. So about a year later, as Nebuchadnezzar stands admiring himself, glorying in his own kingdom, God takes that kingdom from him, sending him into what appears to be a complete mental breakdown.
It’s hard to be on top of the world when everyone can see that you are crazy. Nebuchadnezzar thus gets a strong dose of humility. Eventually, in His mercy, God restores Nebuchadnezzar’s sanity, along with his kingdom. Now, finally, Nebuchadnezzar gets the picture and (I think) truly does acknowledge God’s supremacy, placing His full faith in God.
It is only in the loss of his kingdom, no, the loss of himself, that Nebuchadnezzar finds God. He could be impressed by Daniel’s dream interpretations. He could be amazed at God’s miraculous rescue of Daniel’s friends from the fiery furnace. But these things are insufficient. It is only in complete loss — a kind of death — that he finds life.
And so it is with us, as Jesus tells us:
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
John 12:24-25
Let’s learn from Nebuchadnezzar today. Let’s allow this king of Babylon to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ into our lives!