HELEN SANDERS
MAY 19, 2021
NEBUCHADNEZZER OR CYRUS
With the events in the political realm and within the body of Christ in this past year I have made a few observations. What I have seen may separate me from friends while it might also open the eyes of some that have been misled.
The story starts with a King called Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel the Prophet was under his reign from a young teenager well into his 90’s and possibly 100 years old. He saw the rise of Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson and the fall of Nebuchadnezzar. He saw King Cyrus and King Darius come into power. Daniel was highly honored for his ability, through God, to interpret dreams and was used by Nebuchadnezzar and the other kings many times.
Nebuchadnezzar had a dream of a golden image, and Daniel gave the interpretation, which being interpreted was about various kingdoms. Instead of listening to the interpretation Nebuchadnezzar built a golden statute for the people to worship. In another vision of a tree Daniel warned him that he was at risk of losing his kingdom because of his pride and sin. If he repented perhaps God would give him extra time before a fall.
To put it simply, Nebuchadnezzar was a very prideful king. Daniel tried to tell him to repent but he didn’t listen. He did not repent. A year later judgment came. His hair grew like eagle’s feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. He stayed in this position living like a beast in the field for seven years. At the end of that time, he came to himself and recognized that Daniel’s God had the final say. His life changed after his “fall” caused by his pride.
King Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson, Belshazzar, took control later and under him there was the vision of the “handwriting on the wall.” Daniel was called in and told the king that his kingdom was ended because of the defilement of the sacred Jewish temple utensils and cup. This happened very suddenly.
King Cyrus came on the scene and was the King that allowed Nehemiah to go back to Jerusalem from captivity and rebuild the wall. This was a tremendous gift since Jerusalem and the Jews had been conquered. The completion of building that wall came when King Darius came on the scene. Daniel saw all of these kings through his years of “captivity,” waiting for God to bring his people back to their homeland, while giving godly counsel to these “pagan” kings.
Now in learning this history we see kings that listened to Daniel’s warnings yet didn’t respond the right way, while there were kings that had love for God’s people, Israel and acted accordingly.
Many this past year have compared President Trump with Cyrus, being the one that brought restoration to Israel. I was very pleased that Jerusalem once again was recognized as the Capital of Israel, and our embassy was moved there. I was pleased with many things that this President accomplished, but at the same time there was much pride because of these accomplishments. The continuous ranting and raving through Twitter and Facebook could have been avoided. This is not the way of a “godly leader.” It is the way of a person that has pride. Then there were those that followed the “make America great again platform.” Nothing can make America great again other than repentance and turning to God. This pride of looking at oneself as the one to make things great brought a fall and he lost his position.
Whether it was stolen election or whether it was actually a true election, God allowed this to happen. Sadly, many people bought into this MAGA, both Christian and non-Christian. The anger in this country and the division that it has brought, has brought chaos. There is nothing much said about Nebuchadnezzar when he lived like an animal for seven years.
The only thing said is in Daniel 4:34-37 at the end of the seven years of “beastly” living: “And at the end of the days (the seven-year period) I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honored him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: 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 (stop) his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? At the same time my reason returned unto me: and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honor and brightnesss returned unto me: and my counselors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he able to abase.”
Do you notice the last words of that scripture? He is able to abase those that walk in pride. Pride is what caused Satan’s downfall. Pride always comes before a fall. Perhaps there wasn’t enough Godly counsel given President Trump to avoid this, but we will never know that. Yet, just like Nebuchadnezzar that came to his senses, we must pray that the same thing happens to Donald Trump. I pray that he has a heart of repentance and that the people that love him (and yes, I voted for him too) will pray that he comes to his senses. I despise what is happening in the current administration, and you can be sure there will be a fall with them also because of pride. God hates pride!
We must determine what spirit we walk in. Do we have pride that controls our every action or do we walk like Nebuchadnezzar at the end giving God the glory, knowing there is no one other than him to be worshipped. Do we use the things of God sacrilegiously building our own kingdom when everything we have is given to build God’s kingdom? If so, we may also see the handwriting on the wall.
I have had to examine my own heart as I write this, not wanting to be prideful myself. Yet, I believe I have been led to share this so someone will also see themselves in the mirror of scripture. I believe Daniel prayed for Nebuchadnezzar, and we should pray for each other too.
