THE CONVERSION OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR
Nebuchadnezzar was a ruler of the Babylonian Empire for some forty years (from near the close of the 7th century B.C. to 562 B.C.). His conversion and why he needed to be converted is detailed Daniel 4. Before looking at his conversion, we need a bit of historical background concerning the connection of the Babylonian Empire with the people of God, the Kingdom of Judah.
Following the death of Solomon in c. 933 B.C., the one united Kingdom of Israel, composed of the twelve tribes, divided into two separate kingdoms. The tragic story of the division and why it occurred is recorded in I Kings 12 and II Chronicles 10. Ten of the twelve tribes revolted against Rehoboam, the son of Solomon and the rightful heir to the throne, and formed a separate kingdom under Jeroboam. These ten tribes retained the name of Israel and were known as the Northern Kingdom. This ten tribe kingdom did not have a single good king during the entirety of its existence! In 721 B.C. this kingdom was attacked by the Assyrians and taken into captivity, never to return as a distinct kingdom of its own.
The other two tribes—Judah and Benjamin—remained loyal to Rehoboam, and because Judah was the larger of the two they became known as the Kingdom of Judah or the Southern Kingdom. This kingdom fluctuated between good and bad kings. After the captivity of the Northern Kingdom by the Assyrians the Southern Kingdom continued for another 100 plus years before being attacked by the armies of Nebuchadnezzar and taken into Babylonian captivity. Among the first to be deported from Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. They were given Babylonian names, but Daniel continued to be known as Daniel rather than by his Babylonian name of Beltezhazzar while the other three became (and remained) famously known as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. In Babylon, these men were given positions of authority (see Daniel 1).
Nebuchadnezzar had a series of dreams that Daniel was able by the Spirit of God to interpret. Daniel 2 records an exceptionally important dream that foretold the setting up of God's eternal kingdom, the church (V. 44). In Daniel 4 we read of a dream by Nebuchadnezzar in which he saw an exceedingly high tree whose height reached to heaven. It was so large that it could be seen to the ends of the earth. Its leaves were lovely and its fruit was in such abundance as to provide food for all. In the dream a holy one came down from heaven and ordered the tree to be cut down, its leaves stripped, and its fruit scattered. The beasts of the field were to flee from its shade and the birds were to fly from its branches. However, the stump of the tree was to remain with its roots in the earth and a bronze band around it. The stump was to be watered by the dew of heaven.
Daniel was called in to explain the dream to Nebuchadnezzar. The tree and stump symbolized Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom which had grown strong and powerful. But Nebuchadnezzar had also become haughty and arrogant. (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego had been thrown into the fiery furnace for failure to worship Nebuchadnezzar as God). Daniel informed Nebuchadnezzar that he would be driven from his kingdom until "seven times" (years) had passed. During these "seven times" he would dwell with the beasts of the field, eat grass like oxen, and be wet by the dew of heaven until he had come to know "that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses" (Daniel 4:19-25). The stump of the tree was left to assure Nebuchadnezzar that his kingdom would be returned to him after he had come "to know that Heaven (God) rules" (Daniel 4:26). In the meantime, Nebuchadnezzar was instructed by Daniel to "break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor." He was told, "Perhaps there may be a lengthening (prolonging) of your prosperity" (Daniel 4:27).
Exactly one year later, Nebuchadnezzar was walking in his palace. He said (perhaps musing to himself), "Is this not great Babylon that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?" (Daniel 4:28-30). While his words were still in his mouth, a voice from heaven said, "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it has been spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling will 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" (Daniel 4:31-32). "That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and 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 bird claws" (Daniel 4:33).
Nebuchadnezzar spent seven years as a mad man and as a beast of the field, experiencing all that Daniel had said would happen to him. "And at the end of the time" he said, "And 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: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, 'What have You done?' At the same time my reason returned to me, 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. Now 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" (Daniel 4:34-37).
Thus we have the conversion of Nebuchadnezzar. He learned his lesson. How many today need to undergo a similar conversion from arrogance and pride to humility and a recognition of the omnipotence of God? Jesus said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3).
Hugh Fulford