THE DREAM'S INITIAL FULFILLMENT

Nebuchadnezzar remained proud. Walking about on the palace roof 12 months after his tree dream, he boasted:"Is this not Babylon the Great, that I myself have built for the royal house with the strength of my might and for the dignity of my majesty?"  (Daniel 4:28-30) Nimrod had founded Babylon (Babel), but Nebuchadnezzar gave it splendor.  (Genesis 10:8-10)  In one of his cuneiform inscriptions, he brag:  "Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, the restorer of Esagila and Ezida, son of Nabopolassar am I. . . .The fortifications of Esagila and Babylon I strengthened and established the name of my reign forever." (Archaeology and the Bible, by George A. Barton, 1949, pages 478-9)  Another inscription refers to about 20 temples that he renovated or rebuilt.  "Under Nebuchadnezzar's rule," says The World Book Encyclopedia, "Babylon became one of the most magnificent cities of the ancient world.  In his own records, he rarely mentioned his military activities,  but wrote of his building projects and his attention to the gods of Babylonian.  Nebuchadnezzar probably build the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World." 

Boast though he did, proud Nebuchadnezzar was about to be humiliated.  Says the inspired account: "While  the word was yet in the king's mouth, there was a voice that fell from the heavens: "To you it is being said, O Nebuchadnezzar the king, "The kingdom itself has gone away from you, and from mankind they are driving even you away, and with the beasts of the field you dwelling will be.  Vegetation they will give even you to eat just like bulls, and seven times themselves will pass over you, until you know that the Most High is Ruler in the kingdom of mankind, and to the one whom he wants to he gives it." ' "-Daniel 4:31, 32.

Nebuchadnezzar promptly lost his reason. Driven away from mankind, he ate vegetation " just like bulls." Out among the beasts of the field, he certainly was not sitting idly in the grass of a virtual paradise, enjoying refreshing breezes daily.  In modern-day Iraq, where Babylon's ruins are located, temperatures ranging from a  high of 120 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months to well below freezing in wintertime.  Unattended and exposed  to the elements, Nebuchadnezzar's long matted hair looked like eagle's feathers and his uncut fingernails and toenails became like bird's claws.  (Daniel 4:33) What humiliation for this proud world ruler!

In Nebuchadnezzar's dream, the great tree was felled and its stump was banded to prevent growth upward for seven times.  Similarly, Nebuchadnezzar "was brought down from the throne of his kingdom" when Jehovah struck him with madness. (Daniel 5:20) In effect, this changed the king's heart from that of a man to that of a bull. Yet, God reserved Nebuchadnezzar's throne fro him until the seven times ended. While Evil-merodach possibly acted as the temporary head of government, Daniel served as "the ruler over all the jurisdictional district of Babylon.: His three Hebrew companions continued to share in administering that district's affairs. (Daniel 1:11-19; 2:48,49; 3:30)  The four exiles awaited Nebuchadnezzar's restoration to the throne as a sane king who had learned that "the Most High is Ruler in the kingdom of mankind, and that to the one whom he wants to he gives it." 

Next time: NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S RESTORATION

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999