THE SONG OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR

 

Who was Nebuchadnezzar?

Nebuchadnezzar was a mighty warrior-king of the Babylonian Empire who lived in the 6th century BC. He wasn’t an ordinary leader—he was a powerful conqueror. His kingdom was so strong that it destroyed the great city of Nineveh, took over the entire Assyrian Empire, and captured three kings of Judah: Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. No one could stand against him. He was intelligent, strong, a skilled administrator, and respected by all the kingdoms around him.

But God decided to humble him. No one could reach Nebuchadnezzar’s heart—not a sermon, not a message—but God could. In a moment, God took away his sanity, and the Bible describes his condition like this:

“He was driven from among men, and ate grass like oxen. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until his hair grew like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.” (Daniel 4:33)

From a great king… to a helpless creature.

For seven long years he lived like this. They were the hardest years of his life.
Maybe in the first year he rebelled against God.
In the second, he felt regret.
In the third, he longed for his kingdom.
In the fourth, he realized he wasn’t great after all.
In the fifth, he understood he was only a human.
In the sixth, he felt deep need.
And in the seventh, he finally lifted his eyes to heaven.

And the moment he looked up, everything changed:

“At the end of the days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me.” (Daniel 4:34)

When his mind returned, he immediately confessed that God is greater than he is.

Nebuchadnezzar then spoke one of the most beautiful praises in the Bible. It has two parts:

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1. Describing God

“I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever;
His dominion is everlasting, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation.” (4:34)

• God is the Most High (not me).

• God lives forever (not my strength).

• His kingdom is eternal (not mine).

• His rule continues through every generation (mine does not).

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2. Describing humans and angels

“All the inhabitants of the earth are counted as nothing. He does according to His will among the host of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. No one can stop His hand or say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’” (4:35)

People of earth are nothing before Him—and I am one of them.
Even the angels obey His word. No one can resist His will.

Then Nebuchadnezzar says:

“At that time my reason returned to me, and the glory of my kingdom, my majesty, and my splendor returned to me. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me.” (4:36)

His mind returned, and with it his human dignity and his royal position. His leaders respected him again. God even increased his greatness.

Finally, Nebuchadnezzar declares:

“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and honor the King of heaven. All His works are right and His ways are just; and those who walk in pride He is able to humble.”

By signing his name, “I, Nebuchadnezzar,” he admits his pride openly. He says:
I used to love people praising me… but now I praise God alone.
Everything God did to me was right and just.
And here is my message to all who come after me:
“Anyone who walks in pride—God is able to humble.”

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My friend…

This story teaches us to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand. It leads us to gratitude and dependence on Him. If only we could learn these lessons without painful trials. May we walk faithfully with God, fear His Word, and follow Him sincerely.

Rev. Dr. Nathan Awad