Nebuchadnezzar’s reign is a classic example of the dangers of absolute power. His tyranny and self-regard as a deity serve as a reminder of the potential for abuse when power is concentrated in the hands of one individual or a small group. History knows him as a godless King. Nebuchadnezzar reigned in the area around the Tigris-Euphrates basin. Under his rule, the city of Babylon reached its height of power and prosperity. He is known for his military might, the splendor of his capital city, Babylon, and his part in Jewish history. Through his life’s story, we can learn how God used him to punish sin and save the Israelites.
Abuse takes many forms, including corruption, human rights violations, suppression of free speech, and more. Our Bible tells us that this is not new to our world. King Nebuchadnezzar, known to historians as Nebuchadnezzar II, ruled Babylonia from approximately 605 BC to 562 BC. He is considered the greatest King of the Babylonian Empire. Yet, God would humble him and the kings who followed his reign in Babylon.
An important part of Jewish history is Nebuchadnezzar’s conquering of Jerusalem, detailed in the Book of 2 Kings 25. It describes how Nebuchadnezzar burned down the Lord’s Temple, the King’s palace, and all the houses in Jerusalem. He ordered the Babylonian soldiers to break down the walls around Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar removed all the treasures from the Temple of the Lord and the royal palace. This included all the gold articles Solomon had made for the Temple. He carried into exile all the officers and fighting men, the craftsmen, and artisans. Only the poorest people of the land were left. This was how wealth and intellectual property were stolen back then.
Nebuchadnezzar’s harsh treatment of his people and others, including forced labor and religious persecution, highlighted his lack of respect for human rights. His aggressive military campaigns resulted in significant suffering and displacement. Jeremiah’s prophesy (Jeremiah 30-33) would describe God’s purpose and punishment for the sinful lives of the Israelites. However, in Jeremiah’s message, there was also hope. Though the Israelites would remain in exile for 70 years, upon their return, Jeremiah 30:3 says, “The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity and restore them to the land I gave their ancestors to possess,’ says the Lord.’”
First and foremost, our Creator is not indifferent to sin, but rather, administers justice. God ingeniously uses the transgressions of others as a form of discipline for those He cherishes, correcting their missteps. His patience is boundless, even waiting for a new generation who would be ready to reestablish their covenant with Him. God possesses the power to humble the mightiest among us, reminding us of our human limitations. Above all, God stands as a beacon of salvation for His people, offering refuge and deliverance.
- God as a Judge: God is a judge who punishes sin, underscoring the importance of moral and ethical behavior, as actions have consequences.
- God as a Teacher: By allowing the sins of others to affect those He loves, God teaches important lessons about the interconnectedness of all people and the rippling effects of our actions on each other.
- God as Patient: God is patient, even willing to wait for a new generation to renew their covenant with Him. Why? Because God values free will and is willing to wait for sincere devotion rather than demanding immediate obedience.
- God as a Humbling Force: The ability of God to humble the most powerful people tells us that earthly power is transient and that humility is the real virtue worth pursuing.
- God as a Savior: Most importantly, it will be the belief that God ultimately saves His people, that provides hope and reassurance in times of difficulty.
We know much of this through the story of Daniel. Exiled as a young man, Daniel would impress Nebuchadnezzar with his character and faith. Daniel would be called on to interpret King Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams. One such dream is recorded in the Book of Daniel, Chapter 2. Daniel states that the dream and the interpretation came from the one true God. Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream as consisting of an image of differing metals in Daniel 2:31–45. The four metals represent Babylon, Medo-Peria (Persia), Greece, and Rome. Daniel explained to the King that the statue represented four successive kingdoms based upon power and wealth, beginning in Babylon. The stone and mountain in the dream are potent symbols, representing a kingdom ordained by God Himself. This kingdom is invincible, impervious to destruction or subjugation by any other nation. It stands as a testament to the enduring, unassailable power of God’s rule, a beacon of divine authority that will never wane or falter.
Daniel interpreted another dream for the King, this time about a tree. Daniel warned Nebuchadnezzar, “Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed” (Daniel 4:27). Nebuchadnezzar’s sins were more than just attacking nations and killing, torturing, and deporting their people. His people lived in poverty amongst his vast palace and elaborate building projects, including the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. But in the King’s arrogance, he did not heed Daniel’s interpretation or warning, and the dream came to fruition. “He was driven away from people and ate grass like an ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until this hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird” (Daniel 4:33).
Through this dream, King Nebuchadnezzar learned that only God’s Kingdom lasts forever. Daniel tells us about the humbling of Nebuchadnezzar. He made a public declaration through a letter he wrote for the world to read, praising God and acknowledging God’s sovereignty.
(Daniel 5:20-21)1NIV New International Version Translations – “But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like the ox; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over all Kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes.”
After Nebuchadnezzar’s death, the empire was passed down to his successors. They could not maintain the stability and power of the Babylonian empire. One of the successors was King Belshazzar. During his reign, Belshazzar held a great feast and used the gold and silver utensils stolen from the Temple. This disrespect towards the God of Israel led to a divine warning, which was interpreted by Daniel. Daniel told Belshazzar he would be replaced because he didn’t humble himself before God. During this feast, the city was invaded. That night, Belshazzar was slain, and Darius the Mede took over the Kingdom.
Daniel became a favored member of King Darius’ court, recognized for the “excellent spirit” within him. He was even considered for leadership over the entire advisory court. Jealous advisors would hatch a plot to find fault in the blameless Daniel, primarily through his unwavering faith in God. Darius was tricked into issuing a decree that no one other than the King must be worshipped as a god. When Daniel was discovered worshipping the one true God in the confines of his home, it was deemed that he be put to death for violating the decree. The punishment was death in the lion’s den. Daniel survived the night with the lions and was found to be safe, a testament to Daniel’s faith and the power of God to protect those who trust in Him. The incident of Daniel in the lions’ den is recorded in the Book of Daniel 6.
Not only would God bring the exiles back, but Jeremiah 31:33 says, “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” God would faithfully lead His people out of exile, physically and spiritually, through the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The Babylonian exile for the Israelites ended around 538 BC. The Persian conqueror of Babylonia, Cyrus the Great, conquered Babylon and permitted the Jews to return to their land. The earlier Assyrian deportation of the northern tribes of Israel in 722 BC resulted in the complete disappearance of the northern tribes. However, the Jews who went to Babylon formed their own community. They retained their religion, practices, and culture. The exile would end with their return under Zerubbabel the Prince (a descendant of the royal line of David) and Joshua the Priest (a descendant of the line of the former High Priests of the Temple). This would spawn the construction of the Second Temple in the period from 521 BC to 516 BC. Despite its hardships, the Babylonian exile shaped Jewish identity. During this time, many Jewish traditions and practices were solidified, and the Jewish people maintained their faith and identity despite being in a foreign land.
Contemplations
- Do you believe that God punishes sin?
- Ideas to Explore: What knowledge or experiences give you your belief?
- Why do you think that God would wait a generation before the restoration of the Jewish nation?
- Ideas to Explore: Where do you see sin so embedded into society that it will take a new generation to eliminate it?
- Where have you seen God humble those who have abused their power?
- Ideas to Explore: Think through the Bible’s history, our world’s history, and our nation’s history. There are plenty of examples.
- Do you think our nation needs to be saved by God?
- Ideas to Explore: This is where a humble heart is necessary.
Two additional studies adding to this topic are available:
- 1NIV New International Version Translations