Revision as of 20:04, 9 January 2024

Theological Proposition/Focus: Everything good comes from God!

Homiletical Proposition/Application: We must always remember that everything good comes from God!

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Preview: Today we are going to see that we must be wary of our natural tendency to over-emphasize the self by placing the emphasis instead on God and rooting our humility in a proper theology.

Text: Daniel 4:28-37 following main points.

Setting the Stage:

Last week we looked at Daniel 4:1-27 and we saw a particular dream Nebuchadnezzar had. Through the dream Nebuchadnezzar was warned about pride. Today we are going to see the conclusion of that story.

Body

Be wary of the natural human tendency to over-emphasize self (28-30).

28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”

One commentator noted that the events here occurred 12 months after the warning. Perhaps Nebuchadnezzar managed to reform his ways for 12 months. We don't really know but what we do know is that Nebuchadnezzar found himself profoundly tempted while walking on the roof of his royal palace. Some commentators have suggested this may have been the famous hanging gardens of Babylon. In my opinion, it is likely that at least Nebuchadnezzar was on the roof of a palace that overlooked the gardens. The hanging gardens were one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were an extraordinary feat of engineering and a testament to the grandeur of ancient Babylonian civilization. The gardens were believed to have been built by Nebuchadnezzar for his homesick wife Amytis of Media, the gardens were a marvel of lush greenery and vibrant flora suspended high above the ground. The gardens were a series of terraced platforms, each tier supported by intricate stone columns and walls. The ingenious irrigation system, drawing water from the Euphrates River, played a crucial role in sustaining the vibrant vegetation in this arid region. The cascading terraces gave the illusion of a mountain of greenery in the heart of the city, creating a surreal and breathtaking sight that captivated the imaginations of ancient onlookers.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were not only an architectural triumph but also a symbol of opulence and luxury. The terraced levels were adorned with an array of exotic plants and trees, showcasing a diverse botanical collection that attracted admiration from visitors far and wide. The gardens provided a serene and enchanting retreat for the Babylonian royalty, a verdant oasis amidst the bustling city.

I want you to understand that the palace would have likely had one of the most amazing views of one of the most amazing cities in history. But please also understand, for all the beauty, the hanging gardens were an attempt to mimic what God had already done. Remember that Nebuchadnezzar likely built the gardens for his wife. The gardens would have resembled a mountain covered with foliage.

What we see in verse 30 is a reminder that

There is a natural human tendency to highly value human creations (30a).

Nebuchadnezzar states "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence". Look at what I have done. Look at what I created.

Babylon was one of the preeminent cities of history and during Nebuchadnezzar’s reign undoubtedly was the most magnificent (and probably the largest) city on earth. Herodotus, the ancient Greek historian, visited Babylon about one hundred years after Nebuchadnezzar’s time and was overwhelmed by its grandeur. Over two hundred years later, Alexander the Great planned to make the city the headquarters for his vast empire.

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Romans 1:25 tells us that we have a fundamental issue

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

We have a tendency to overvalue human creations. We overvalue cities, structures, art, and nearly anything else we create. I don't want you to think that there is nothing of value in our creations but rather I want you ti view it in proper light. We should not overvalue what we have created. Worse, we also have another bad tendency.

There is a natural human tendency to take the credit (30b).

Nebuchadnezzar boasted that it was he who “built” this “great Babylon,” and statements by Berosus, cuneiform inscriptions, and other discoveries at Babylon combine in their testimony that Nebuchadnezzar carried out extensive building operations. “Most of the bricks taken out of Babylon in the archaeological excavations bear the name and inscription of Nebuchadnezzar stamped thereon.

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We have a tendency to take credit for things that might not really be our own. Pride is a devastating sin really it is the original sin of Satan. As an aside, I have found that people really do have a lot more respect for me when they discover on their own something I did rather than me pointing it out! In any case, one of the hardest lessons people need to learn is that they don't need the credit.

There is a natural human tendency to think too highly of oneself (30c).

Nebuchadnezzar states "by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty." Nebuchadnezzar clearly thought highly of himself. One ancient record from Nebuchadnezzar states "The fortifications of Esagila and Babylon I strengthened and established the name of my reign forever.’ ^[3]”

In reality, Nebuchadnezzar is reminiscent of Ozymandias in the poem Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley.

I met a traveller from an antique land, Who said—“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desert. . . . Near them, on the sand, Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown, And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, Tell that its sculptor well those passions read Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed; And on the pedestal, these words appear: My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair! Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away.”

All our empires, all our possessions, all we accomplish only has lasting significance in Christ the only one who gives eternal significance.

MTR: Ask yourself, "where do I over-emphasize myself?"

So how do we get our focus realigned?

The remedy for our natural tendency is an emphasis on God (31-33).

31 Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. 32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”

33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.

First, let us notice where real authority lies.

God has the power to grant and take authority from any human (31).

Jesus in John 19:11 noted that human authority comes from God "Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”" In Daniel we see that God has the full authority to take authority from Nebuchadnezzar. The reality that this occurred as the words were on his lips is a reminder that God has full authority he can act swiftly and completely.

We must recognize that

God is the one who is truly sovereign over the kingdoms of the earth (32).

One of the problems Nebuchadnezzar had was that he attempted to blur the lines between God and man. The response of God is to blur the lines between man and beast. The extent of this blurring? That Nebuchadnezzar would recognize God's sovereignty.

God, not humanism, is the only reason we are more than dumb beasts (33).

It was God who gave Adam the breath of life. It was God who created Adam in his image. It is God who gives us our intellect and will. We need to understand that anything we have, intelligence, strength, humor, talent it all comes from God. We need to recognize that humans apart from God are nothing!

MTR: Take a second right here to pray and acknowledge God's work in your life.

I really do think that the key to humility is a proper understanding of God. You see,

True humility is rooted in your theology (34-37).

The word theology is really a combination of the word theos and the word logos. In other words, theology is simply words about God. More formally, theology is the study of God which has been broadly defined to include every aspect of God, creation, sin, and redemption. Theologians talk about theology proper as being specifically the study of who God is. When I say true humility is rooted in your theology, I am referring to the more general broad view that you have of all things spiritual. True humility really only comes by having a right view of how everything connects with God.

Look at how Nebuchadnezzar ultimately responded in verses 34-37.

34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.

His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. 35 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” 36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Humility is properly rooted in a recognition of God's Kingdom (34).

Nebuchadnezzar, finally, looks to heaven and recognizes who he really is. The act of looking toward heaven is an acknowledgment that he needs God. Nebuchadnezzar is seeking God's aid. He realizes that he cannot fix himself. In Daniel 4:26 Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that "Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes." So why are the first words out of Nebuchadnezzar's mouth not "acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes?" I think it is because Nebuchadnezzar is paying more than mere lip service to God. Nebuchadnezzar has come to really understand the significance of God's Kingdom. Yes, Babylon was amazing but it pales in comparison with God's Kingdom.

I am convinced that if we recognize God's eternal kingdom then we are forced into humility. Think about it, outside of God, everything you know has an expiration date. I love our sanctuary it will not last forever. My house will one day be rubble. Even our very own sun has an expiration date, although that date is likely long after Christ returns. Maybe you are thinking "what about knowledge, that will always be passed down." Well, there are all sorts of examples of situations where knowledge seems to take a step backwards. After the fall of the Roman empire society entered the Middle Ages and according to some sources, some important knowledge of concrete was lost, In particular, the techniques for making pozzolan cement was lost for nearly 1000 when a manuscript describing it was discovered. Truly everything we know outside of God is finite. When we look at God's infinite kingdom we are humbled.

If you need a dose of humility take some time to really look at God's infinitude.

Humility grows from an understanding of man's relationship with God (35).

The summary statement for verse 35 is very simple. God is sovereign. God is sovereign over all people. Compared to God even the most powerful, significant, figure in history is regarded as nothing. The relationship that all humans have with God is truly a master-servant relationship. God is above reproach, above question. The reality is that man answers to God, God does not answer to man. Humility grows when we understand that we are all accountable to God. But we need to do more than understand this we need to embrace it. Something that I want us to understand is that being in the servant position to the God of the universe is a very good thing. Think about it, you can serve the sovereign God of the universe, if your attitude is right this is one of the most freeing truths out there. You are not responsible for nearly as much as you might think you are. You are responsible to God.

God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. (36-37, James 4:6).

If you just quickly read verse 37 you might think, "Nebuchadnezzar never learned his lesson, look at him boast." But this is not the case. Nebuchadnezzar states "I was restored" Notice the passive voice. Finally, Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges that this amazing kingdom is not a kingdom of his making it is God. One of the most important realities that all of us need to know is the reality that humility does not demand you lie about the facts. Humility demands you acknowledge God, really that you prioritize God.

Act 1 is complete. The king who would be god has met the God who is already king. Four chapters, four stories, and in each story we see that there is none like God.

MTR: As you take time in prayer and study this week consider your humility.

1. ↑ Stephen R. Miller, Daniel, vol. 18, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 140.
2. ↑ Stephen R. Miller, Daniel, vol. 18, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 141.
3. ↑ J. P. Free. Archaeology and Bible History. Wheaton: Van Kampen, 1950. 228