WAS KING NEBUCHADNEZZAR A SAVED MAN?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Yes, on the basis of Daniel 4:37, I would say that pagan Nebuchadnezzar finally “came to his senses” (literally speaking). “Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.” We will take some time to survey parts of the book of the Prophet Daniel.

Nebuchadnezzar was not speaking these words lightly. If you read the first three chapters of Daniel, you can see how Nebuchadnezzar was a very prideful idolater. As a Babylonian king, and like the Egyptian pharaohs, he thought he was a god. Nebuchadnezzar was a very strict, totalitarian ruler. If he did not get what he wanted, he put people to death! In chapter 4, however, we see his pride and idolatry reach an apex. Israel’s God struck down Nebuchadnezzar so hard that he became the humblest world leader of the day.

Daniel chapter 4 begins: “[1] Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. [2] I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. [3] How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.” Nebuchadnezzar, in hindsight, is going to explain to us the valuable lesson that Israel’s God taught him.

King Nebuchadnezzar’s pride is epitomized in verse 30: “The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?” Nebuchadnezzar is saying, “Look at all what I have done! My beautiful, expansive kingdom is all for me! I have conquered so many peoples! They are all under my control!” (He, of course, is unaware that there is another king, the King of Heaven, who hears his arrogant words. Nebuchadnezzar will now be humbled beyond imagination! No human leader has ever experienced what he will soon endure!)

Daniel chapter 4 continues: “[31] While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. [32] And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times [years] shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. [33] The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws. [34] And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: [35] And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? [36] At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. [37] Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.”

Nebuchadnezzar was truly a changed man, both in heart and in body. I genuinely think we will see him in Heaven one day. The words he spoke could only come from a believer.

Also see:
» Why did God give Israel King Saul if Saul turned out to be evil?
» What about the “divine right of kings?”
» How could “wise” King Solomon let foreign women deceive him?

Enjoy our Bible Q&A studies? Please feel free to donate here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux. Also be mindful of our Bible Q&A booklets for sale at https://arcgraceministries.org/in-print/booklets-bible-q-a/.