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“The Sovereignty Of God Over The Nations - Part 7”
The Sovereignty Of God Over The Nations - Part 7
Wade Webster
In the last installment in this study, we saw the sovereignty of God displayed in the life of Sennacherib. In this part of our study, we will see it displayed in the life of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Baylon.
Sovereignty Displayed
There are many examples in Scripture that show God’s sovereignty. I think that it is easiest to see it in the lives of those who were kings. After all, they had power, riches, and many servants at their disposal. Although they were sovereigns, they were no match for God. Consider three well-known examples from Scripture:
- Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon - Daniel wrote, “All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall 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.” 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 birds’ claws. And at the end of the time 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 4:28-37). Nebuchadnezzar had been told by Daniel of God’s sovereignty on an earlier occasion, but he ignored or forgot it. On the earlier occasion, “Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him. “I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might, And have now made known to me what we asked of You, For You have made known to us the king’s demand.” (Daniel 2:20-23). Sadly, Nebuchadnezzar’s son Belshazzar would forget the lesson that God had taught his father and lose the kingdom (Dan. 5:17-30).
There are many other examples that display God’s sovereignty, but we have met the Biblical standard of establishing things at the mouth of two or three witnesses (Mat. 18:16).
