From Daniel 4-6
The book of Daniel has a lot to say about the kingdom of God. In today’s reading we had two instances where the kingdom of God is proclaimed. This is what Nebuchadnezzar said when he repented of glorifying himself and not God. Are you a reasonable person?
This post is part of my bible in a year series.
Passage and Comments
34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever,
for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
and he does according to his will among the host of heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth;
and none can stay his hand
or say to him, “What have you done?”
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. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble. (Da 4.34-37)
What seems significant to me in this speech is the repeated emphasis on Nebuchadnezzar’s reason returning to him. As if to say, being able to reason correctly means understanding who God is and how insignificant we are compared to him.
Nebuchadnezzar was humbled. Perhaps we need to do some business with the LORD. Perhaps we need to recognise who he is and how insignificant we are compared to him. He is the King of the Kingdom, we are his servants.
Story of Israel
During the time of Daniel, Judah is being humbled. They forgot the LORD and according to God’s covenant obligations, God dealt out the curses for disobedience owed them. Judah got humbled as well. But they were restored, as we will see predicted in the next few chapters.
Story of Jesus
Daniel has interpreted a few visions and dreams because he has the Spirit of the LORD within him (e.g. Da 5.11). Nebuchadnezzar’s reason returned to him when he perceived things as they really are. Its no different for God’s people today. Special insight is needed to correctly discern Christ;
6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written,
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—
these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. (1 Cor 2.6-13)
So what does the Spirit help God’s people understand today?
We understand Jesus is the Christ, he has been given to us. We understand that he died and rose again, bringing forgiveness and new life to those who trust him. We understand he will come back again to judge, so we seek to please Him.
People today still need to have their reason returned to them.
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