Several years ago we posted an index of articles on ancient Babylon here: https://ferrelljenkins.blog/2014/11/04/babylon-index-of-articles/
Recently we posted an article showing that the arrogance of rulers is often responsible for bringing about the fall of the nation they should serve.
The Old Testament Scriptures (the Hebrew Bible) is filled with illustrations of the rule of the LORD over the kingdoms of men. The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar is a prime example of the arrogant ruler. He is sometimes referred to as a megalomaniac. He ordered that all the Babylonian citizens worship him at his golden image on command. (Daniel 3:7).
The Golden Image of Nebuchadnezzar
The golden image erected by King Nebuchadnezzar is a significant event recorded in the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament. This image symbolizes the king’s arrogance and the expectation of absolute loyalty from his subjects.
Historical Context
After Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a great statue representing different kingdoms (Daniel 2), he became consumed with pride, leading him to construct a colossal golden statue, likely representing himself. This act demonstrated not just his authority but also his desire for worship.
The Decree
In Daniel 3:1-6, Nebuchadnezzar issued a decree that all peoples of the empire must bow down and worship the golden image whenever they heard the sound of musical instruments. Those who refused would face severe punishment, including being thrown into a fiery furnace.
The Consequences of Defiance
Three young men—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—refused to comply with the king’s order, boldly declaring that they would not worship the image or any other god but the LORD. Their defiance led to their arrest and punishment.
Divine Intervention
When thrown into the fiery furnace, they were miraculously unharmed, and a fourth figure, described as looking like “a son of the gods,” was seen walking with them in the flames (Daniel 3:25). This divine intervention led Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge the power of their God, which reinforces the theme of God’s sovereignty over earthly kingdoms.
Conclusion
The story of the golden image of Nebuchadnezzar serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of pride.
God punished Nebuchadnezzar by causing him to have the mind of a beast and eat of the grass of the field.
In this post I wish to show a series of Scriptures from the prophet Daniel who, as a young man, spent years in Babylon being trained to become one of those who could be a ruler in the Neo-Babylonian Empire. In each of these five Scriptures we are informed that the LORD rules in the kingdoms of men and sets up and takes down rulers as He wishes.
He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding” (Dan. 2:21 ESV)
Nebuchadnezzar was driven from among the children of mankind, and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will. (Daniel 5:21 ESV)
The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.’ (Daniel 4:17 ESV)
Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.
“…that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” (Daniel 4:25 ESV)
In the New Testament the apostle Paul has these words for Christians.
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
“Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
“For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,
4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.
“Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.
“For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.
“Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.”(Romans13:1-7 ESV)
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