Nebuchadnezzar II, the king of Babylon, is a prominent figure in the Bible, particularly in the Book of Daniel. His reign is marked by significant achievements and a powerful empire, yet his account also serves as a cautionary tale of ingratitude to God. Nebuchadnezzar's interactions with the God of Israel reveal a complex relationship characterized by moments of recognition and subsequent forgetfulness of divine sovereignty.

Early Encounters with God's Power

Nebuchadnezzar's initial encounter with the God of Israel occurs in Daniel 2, where he experiences a troubling dream that none of his wise men can interpret. Daniel, a young Hebrew captive, is granted the ability to interpret the dream by God. The dream reveals the future succession of empires, with Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom represented as the head of gold. Upon hearing the interpretation, Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges the supremacy of Daniel's God, saying, "Truly your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, since you were able to reveal this mystery" (Daniel 2:47). Despite this acknowledgment, Nebuchadnezzar's recognition of God's power is short-lived.

The Golden Image and Fiery Furnace

In Daniel 3, Nebuchadnezzar constructs a massive golden image and commands all his subjects to worship it. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three Hebrew men, refuse to bow down, demonstrating their loyalty to the God of Israel. In response, Nebuchadnezzar orders them to be thrown into a fiery furnace. Miraculously, they emerge unharmed, accompanied by a divine figure. Witnessing this, Nebuchadnezzar is astonished and praises their God, declaring, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him" (Daniel 3:28). Yet, this acknowledgment does not translate into lasting gratitude or submission to God's authority.

The Dream of the Great Tree

In Daniel 4, Nebuchadnezzar has another dream, this time of a great tree that is cut down. Daniel interprets the dream, warning the king that it symbolizes his impending downfall due to pride and ingratitude. Despite the warning, Nebuchadnezzar's heart remains unchanged. A year later, as he surveys his magnificent city, he boasts, "Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?" (Daniel 4:30). This statement epitomizes his ingratitude and self-exaltation.

Judgment and Restoration

As foretold, Nebuchadnezzar's pride leads to his downfall. He is struck with a form of madness, living like an animal for seven years. This period of humbling serves as divine judgment for his ingratitude and arrogance. Eventually, Nebuchadnezzar's sanity is restored, and he finally acknowledges God's sovereignty, stating, "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride" (Daniel 4:37).

Legacy of Ingratitude

Nebuchadnezzar's account is a powerful illustration of the dangers of ingratitude to God. Despite multiple encounters with God's power and mercy, his initial responses of awe and acknowledgment repeatedly give way to pride and self-glorification. His life serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and the recognition of God's ultimate authority over all earthly powers.Daniel 5:18-21
O you king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honor:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Instrumentality of the Wicked Employed by God, While He ...
... For which reason, Nebuchadnezzar is called the servant of ... the power of thus punishing
the ingratitude of Solomon. We, therefore, see how God, while not willing ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 the instrumentality of.htm

The Return of the Exiles
... time of the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. ... they and their generation
obeyed God, and carried ... But because of ingratitude and disloyalty they had ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 45 the return of.htm

How the King of Babylon Took Jerusalem and Burnt the Temple and ...
... When he was come, Nebuchadnezzar began to call him a ... He also reproached him for his
ingratitude, that when he ... him that gave it; "but," said he, "God is great ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 how the king.htm

The Prophecies
... Put in remembrance your ingratitude: see thou, if thou mayest be justified. ... God hath
made known to thee what shall come to pass ... "Then Nebuchadnezzar fell upon ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section xi the prophecies.htm

The First Ministry of the Baptist.
... the great empires, prefigured in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, the ... under foot the Son of
God, and hath ... from remorse and shame, from ingratitude and misrepresentation ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/v the first ministry of.htm

"Ye are the Light of the World. "
... It is true that we hear of Nebuchadnezzar, but probably we should not ... That is what
God wants us to do. ... It seems to me the basest ingratitude if we do not reach ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/moody/to the work to the work/chapter ix ye are the.htm

Of Civil Government.
... I have given the kingdom to Nebuchadnezzar; therefore serve him ... previously subdued
the Medes, while the ingratitude of the ... by the lawful call of God to perform ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

True Wisdom.
... It is true that we hear of Nebuchadnezzar, but probably we should not ... That is what
God wants us to do. ... It seems to me the basest ingratitude if we do not reach ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/the overcoming life/true wisdom.htm

The Unknown Giver and the Misused Gifts
... Remember Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, builder of cities, inventor of great ... It
would have been ingratitude. But men fight against God with God's own gifts. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/the unknown giver and the.htm

Ebenezer!
... ripening experience, we must mourn over ingratitude and unbelief ... of his work to himself,
whom God did not ... Nebuchadnezzar said, "Behold this great Babylon that I ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/ebenezer.htm

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