Nebuchadnezzar’s Seven Years of Madness

Picture: Nebuchadnezzar’s Seven Years of Madness 2TC 254.1

This chapter is based on Daniel 4. 

After Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the great image, the thought that the Babylonian Empire was finally to fall had profoundly influenced his mind. In the end, God would set up a kingdom that would replace all earthly kingdoms. 2TC 254.2

Nebuchadnezzar later lost sight of his noble understanding of God’s plan concerning the nations. Yet when his proud spirit was humbled on the plain of Dura, he once more acknowledged that God’s kingdom is “an everlasting kingdom.” Daniel 7:27. He had an inborn sense of justice and right, and God was able to use him as an instrument for punishing the rebellious and fulfilling the divine purpose. As he added nation after nation to the Babylonian realm, he added more and more to his fame as the greatest ruler of the age. 2TC 254.3

It was not surprising that the successful, proud-spirited monarch was tempted to turn aside from the path of humility, which alone leads to true greatness. Between his wars of conquest he gave much thought to beautifying his capital, until the city of Babylon became “the golden city,” “the praise of the whole earth.” Isaiah 14:4; Jeremiah 51:41. His success in making Babylon one of the wonders of the world fueled his pride, until he was in grave danger of spoiling his record as a ruler whom God could use. 2TC 255.1

In mercy God gave the king another dream to warn him of his danger. In vision Nebuchadnezzar saw a great tree, its top towering to the heavens and its branches stretching to the ends of the earth. Flocks and herds enjoyed shelter beneath its shadow, and birds built their nests in its branches. “And all flesh was fed from it.” 2TC 255.2

As the king gazed on the tree, he saw “a Watcher,” even “a Holy One,” who approached the tree and in a loud voice cried: “Cut down the tree and cut off its branches, strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. ... Nevertheless leave the stump and roots in the earth... . Let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him graze with the beasts on the grass of the earth. Let his heart be changed from that of a man, let him be given the heart of a beast, and let seven times pass over him. This decision is by the decree of the watchers ... in order that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, [and] gives it to whomever He will.” 2TC 255.3

The Attempt to Discover the Meaning

Greatly troubled, the king repeated the dream to the wise men. But although the dream was very explicit, no one could interpret it. In his perplexity the king sent for Daniel, who was admired for his integrity and unrivaled wisdom. 2TC 255.4

After relating the dream, Nebuchadnezzar said, “Declare its interpretation, since all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for the Spirit of the Holy God is in you.” 2TC 255.5

The meaning of the dream was plain to Daniel, and its significance startled him. Seeing Daniel’s hesitation and distress, the king expressed sympathy for his servant. “Do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you.” 2TC 255.6

The prophet realized that God had laid on him the solemn duty of revealing to Nebuchadnezzar the judgment about to fall on him because of his pride and arrogance. Although its dreadful meaning had made him hesitate, he must state the truth, whatever the consequences to himself. 2TC 256.1

“The tree that you saw,” he said, “is you, O king, ... for your greatness has grown ... to the end of the earth. And inasmuch as the king saw a Watcher, a Holy One, ... saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump,’ ... this is the interpretation. ... They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses. And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules.” 2TC 256.2

Daniel urged the proud monarch to repent in order to avert the threatened disaster. “Break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.” 2TC 256.3

Nebuchadnezzar’s Short-lived Repentance

For a time the counsel of the prophet weighed strongly on Nebuchadnezzar; but self-indulgence and ambition still lived in the king’s heart, and later these traits reappeared. His rule, which up to then had been just and merciful to a great degree, became oppressive. He used his God-given talents for self-glorification, exalting himself above the God who had given him life and power. 2TC 256.4

For months the judgment of God lingered. But instead of being led to repentance by God’s restraint, the king indulged his pride until he lost confidence in the interpretation of the dream and laughed at his former fears. 2TC 256.5

A year after the warning, while walking in his palace and thinking with pride of his power as a ruler and of his success as a builder, Neb uchadnezzar exclaimed, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” 2TC 256.6

While the proud boast was still on the king’s lips, a voice from heaven announced that God’s appointed time of judgment had come: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” 2TC 257.1

In a moment the once mighty ruler was insane. He was no longer able to rule. Stripped of the power his Creator had given him, and driven from society, Nebuchadnezzar “ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.” 2TC 257.2

For seven years Nebuchadnezzar was an astonishment to all his subjects and was humbled before all the world. Then God restored his reason and he recognized the divine hand in his affliction. In a public proclamation he acknowledged the great mercy of God in restoring him: “I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever... . 2TC 257.3

“And for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me.” 2TC 257.4

The once proud monarch had become a humble child of God, a wise and compassionate king. He now acknowledged the power of the Most High and earnestly sought to promote the fear of Jehovah and the happiness of his subjects. At last Nebuchadnezzar had learned the lesson that all rulers need to learn—that true greatness consists in true goodness. He acknowledged the living God, saying, “I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.” 2TC 257.5

God’s purpose was now fulfilled. This public proclamation, in which Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged the goodness and authority of God, was the last act of his life recorded in sacred history. 2TC 257.6