Sermon: "Wowing A King 'Til He Bows"
A very eccentric and very wealthy man had died. In his eccentricity, his final request was to be interred seated behind the wheel of his favorite automobile from among all the automobiles of his extensive collection.
Needless to say, it wasn’t just any car. It was a 1935 jet black Cadillac Fleetwood V-12. And the wealthy man had had all of the chrome features plated in 24-karat gold plating. The immaculate glossy and shiny vehicle would be wheeled into a specially designed mausoleum centered on the family plot. The wealthy man would take his final ride on this plane of existence as he and the extravagant car would be sealed up together.
The private ceremony was attended by a few family mourners. But just a few yards away, there were two gardeners who had stopped their work long enough to observe the proceedings. As the beautiful and priceless vehicle was pushed quietly into the crypt to be forever entoumbed with its deceased owner propped up in the driver’s seat, one gardener turned to the other and said in amazement, “Man! That’s really livin’!”
It’s safe to say that gardener was wowed by what he saw. In fact, he was so wowed, he was so in awe, that he briefly forgot the reality of the situation. When someone dies, no matter how opulent the funeral arrangements, you can’t accurately conclude that such a person is “really living!”
This morning, we want to look at someone in the Bible who doesn’t often get our attention anymore. But he’s an important figure in the history of the ancient world. In fact, he really wowed them back in his day. We tend to overlook him, but Nebuchadnezzar, the great king of Babylon, was a man who was extremely proud of his accomplishments in life. Undoubtedly, he was very wealthy. And as king he saw to it that the great city of Babylon was arrayed in great glory.
But, as we’ll see, God had other plans for Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. We call this message Wowing a King ‘Til He Bows. That’s what God set out to do – to wow Nebuchadnezzar until he acknowledged God’s greatness and glory.
As it was, Nebuchadnezzar was rather wowed with himself. His kingdom was something else!
I. “WOW, WHAT A PLACE!”
What was Babylon is today the modern nation of Iraq. But Nebuchadnezzar’s influence has been felt even into modern times. The late Saddam Hussein imagined himself to be the reincarnation of Nebuchadnezzar, even going so far as to rebuild many structures of ancient Babylon. Saddam wished to capture some of Nebuchadnezzar’s glory.
Even as was Saddam, so Nebuchadnezzar was a megalomaniacal ruler. He was self-absorbed and saw his greatness as a personal achievement.
But God was set on changing that situation.
Nebuchadnezzar’s story is fascinating. He was a great ruler of a powerful empire which he had worked hard to build. In fact, he was aggressive in empire-building, being one of the great military and political leaders in ancient history. He was a pagan worshipper of many gods. He seems to be the most unlikely candidate for coming to faith in the one true God of Israel. But, as we’re going to see, that’s exactly what happened.
Nebuchadnezzar was powerful. He was a military genius. His father, Nabopolassar, had gotten Babylon out from under the control of the Assyrians, laying waste to their capital city of Nineveh. Nabopolassar wanted to extend his rule, so he set his sights on Syria to the west, which was under the control of Necho II, pharaoh of Egypt. Nabopolassar sent his son with a great army and, in 605 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar won a major military victory over the Egyptians at the Battle of Carchemish. Syria and Phoenicia, which included the land of Judah, were brought under Babylonian rule.
Jehoiakim, king of Judah, apparently paid homage to Babylon by giving Nebuchadnezzar hostages. This would have included the young Daniel and his three friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. We remember Daniel’s friends as Shadrach, Meshech, and Abed-Nego.
In preparation for service in Nebuchadnezzar’s court, Daniel and his friends were trained for about three years in the language, the culture, and the wisdom of the Babylonians….
DANIEL 1:3-5 – Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility- 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king's table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king's service.
We are told in elsewhere in Daniel 1 that Daniel could understand dreams and visions. This God-given ability would play a significant role in God’s plan to reach Nebuchadnezzar.
In sharp contrast to the proud king, Daniel was a young man who humbled himself before the Lord. Daniel recognized who God is and he knew what God required. God requires a life completely sold out to Him. That’s how Daniel was. We see from the opening chapter of Daniel that this young man resolved to do the right thing….
DANIEL 1:8a – But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine
As I’ve studied the early chapters of this book, there’s little doubt in my mind that God used His humble servant Daniel to pursue this mighty king of Babylon. In the end, we will see that God will bring this proud and powerful ruler to a position of great humility. Nebuchadnezzar will eventually acknowledge that God is sovereign over all there is. You see, God is going to wow him until he bows the knee.
II. “WOW, I JUST CAN’T SLEEP!”
Let’s look at the first instance where God begins to deal with Nebuchadnezzar….
DANIEL 2:1-3 – In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. 2 So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed. When they came in and stood before the king, 3 he said to them, "I have had a dream that troubles me and I want to know what it means."
The king had a dream that undoubtedly he recognized was of great importance. But he couldn’t remember the content of the dream and, consequently, was unable to discern the dream’s significance. This greatly troubled him, so he called in his royal advisors.
The advisors insisted that the king tell them what the dream was. Once they knew the events of the dream, they told him, then they could interpret its meaning.
But that wasn’t good of enough for the arrogant and impatient Nebuchadnezzar….
DANIEL 2:5, 6 – The king replied to the astrologers, "This is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble. 6 But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and interpret it for me."
Wow! Just wreck my house and cut me into pieces!! These guys knew that Nebuchadnezzar meant it. But what could they do? It was virtually impossible for them to know the dream’s content, let alone provide any kind of interpretation. Eventually, they complained to the king, “What you are asking is totally unprecedented! There is no one who can tell you, O king, what your dream was! Only the gods can do that and, unless they speak, we cannot possibly know!”
DANIEL 2:12, 13 – This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. 13 So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.
You see, Daniel hadn’t been consulted yet. He was just a novice, a newcomer to the royal court. But, nonetheless, Nebuchadnezzar, offended in his proud arrogance, was ready to completely wipe out all his royal advisors.
God had plans however. Daniel, being faithful as he was, prayed to God and God answered his prayers. God revealed things to Daniel such that Daniel was able to tell the king his dream and was equally able to tell him what the dream meant. Nebuchadnezzar had seen a great image of a man with a head of gold, arms and chest of silver, a midsection of bronze, two legs of iron, and feet made up of a mixture of iron and clay. This image was then ground into dust by a great stone that no man’s hand had cut. The stone, uncut by human hands, grew to become a great mountain that would last forever.
This dream of Nebuchadnezzar’s had come right from God. It was a message about how Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom and, in fact, all the Gentile kingdoms to follow, would eventually fall and be destroyed. Then God would set up His everlasting and eternal kingdom.
Here is some of what Daniel said to Nebuchadnezzar….
DANIEL 2:37, 38 – You, O king, are the king of kings. The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might and glory; 38 in your hands he has placed mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds of the air. Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold.
Daniel then went on to tell Nebuchadnezzar more of the dream. But you know what? I don’t think Nebuchadnezzar heard much more of what Daniel said after the portion I just read to you. I think that when this proud king heard how Daniel’s God called him the head of gold, it all went to his head! He became enthralled by the pronouncement of this divine vision that he, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, was truly a king of kings and a great head of all kingdoms, a head made of glorious gold!
Nebuchadnezzar was wowed by his own greatness!
However, there was also now a small chink in the armor of Nebuchadnezzar’s pride. After all, this young novice from Judah had just done what his seasoned and senior advisors had said was impossible. The king’s forgotten dream had both been revealed and interpreted. Surely, Nebuchadnezzar reasoned, the God of this Daniel must be a great God indeed!
So here’s how the king of Babylon responded….
DANIEL 2:46-49 – Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. 47 The king said to Daniel, "Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery."
48 Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. 49 Moreover, at Daniel's request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.
There was still a long way to go, but Nebuchadnezzar was beginning to be wowed by God.
III. “WOW, IT’S HOT IN HERE!”
Daniel chapter 3 has a much more familiar story. It begins with Nebuchadnezzar erecting a great image of himself in the neighboring plain of Dura….
DANIEL 3:1-3 – King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. 3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.
I believe it’s likely that the king may have begun to think a little more about what Daniel had said. Recall that, in the vision, the head of gold represented Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom. But the vision went on to describe a kingdom that would arise to replace Babylon – a kingdom represented by the silver chest and arms.
It could be that Nebuchadnezzar, in his great pride, now felt threatened. So he began a great public relations campaign designed to engender loyalty throughout all of his empire. He put up a great image of himself and invited all these officials from throughout the entire kingdom to come and bow down to his image.
No doubt you know the story. Anyone who didn’t bow would be cast into the flames.
It was as though Nebuchadnezzar was saying, “Be wowed by me – or else!”
The setting of this great public occasion was such that, when the music began to play, all those assembled in the plain were to bow the knee to Nebuchadnezzar. So the music played and everyone cooperated – except for Daniel’s three friends, Shadrach, Meshech, and Abed-Nego.
The three rebels were reported to Nebuchadnezzar. Predictably, the king grew angry….
DANIEL 3:13-15 – Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?"
It’s like Nebuchadnezzar is saying, “I don’t think you boys realize who it is you’re dealing with here! How dare you defy me! Surely you must realize that, once I’ve sealed your doom, there is no escape! No god will be able to rescue you from my hand!!”
You see, Nebuchadnezzar was trying to wow them! But these boys had already been wowed by the one and only true God of Israel! And they were not about to defy Him! Because of their trust in God, they defied the king instead….
DANIEL 3:16-18 – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
This king, who was so wowed with his own greatness, was infuriated at their reply. He ordered that the furnace be heated up as hot as possible. The three Hebrew men were bound up and thrown, clothes and all, into the fire. Those who had cast them into the flames were themselves slain by the heat.
But Nebuchadnezzar was about to be wowed by God!
DANIEL 3:24, 25 – Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?"
They replied, "Certainly, O king."
25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."
Some say that an angel of the Lord was sent to protect these men and some say it was Jesus Christ Himself in that fire with Shadrach, Meshech, and Abed-Nego. Whoever it was, God was at work to protect His faithful servants. Nothing that old Nebuchadnezzar could whip up was going to touch them!
Then, the king called them out of the furnace. They came out and stood before the great assembly of the king and his entire kingdom, totally unharmed by the flames! Their clothing did not even smell of fire or smoke!
Wow!!
You can even say that backward – WOW!!!
DANIEL 3:28 – Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.”
Once again, Nebuchadnezzar had witnessed the mighty hand of God at work. He had been given a glimpse of what God could do. And it had wowed him. God was pursuing this pagan king.
But there was not yet enough wow to make the king bow.
IV. “WOW, IT’S GETTIN’ KIND OF WILD!”
In Daniel 4, Nebuchadnezzar has another dream which Daniel interprets for him. The king had seen a great tree that provided food and shelter for all the beasts of the field and the birds of the air. As the king would later learn from Daniel’s interpretation, this great tree represented Nebuchadnezzar and the entire glorious kingdom which he had built.
A holy angel then descended from heaven and proclaimed that the tree be cut down, yet with its stump and root system left behind. Then the angel made a strange pronouncement….
DANIEL 4:15b, 16 – “Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times pass by for him.”
The king would get wet with dew. He would live with the animals in the wilderness. His mind would falter and he would have the mind of a beast. This would cover a period of about seven ‘times’ or seven years.
What an odd curse! Yet it was all designed by God for the purpose of bringing Nebuchadnezzar to his knees.
DANIEL 4:28-30 – All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?"
You know what Nebuchadnezzar was saying, don’t you? “Wow! Look at all that I have done! Is this a great palace and a great city or what? And I’m the one who did it! I deserve the glory! I’m just a wow kind of guy!!”
That did it.
DANIEL 4:31-33 – The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, "This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. 32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes."
33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like cattle. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.
For seven long years, the king lived with this debilitating and humiliating condition. He was driven away from the civilized kingdom that he took personal credit for building. And he spent seven years living in the wilderness, eating grass, and essentially letting himself go, having the mind of an animal.
Some say he suffered from a psychological disorder. I’m more inclined to believe the source for this bizarre malady was demonic, much as the demon possessed man in the Gospels who was running naked among the graves of the dead until he was delivered by Jesus. Perhaps it was some combination of both a disease of the psyche and the influence of supernatural evil.
Whatever the cause, God used this beastly disorder to finally bring Nebuchadnezzar to his knees to acknowledge the great God of the universe who sets up kings and brings them down – even to the level of animalistic behavior.
In short, the king had to act like a bow-wow before he was wowed enough to bow!
After the seven years, Nebuchadnezzar was delivered. And he had a new outlook….
DANIEL 4:34, 35 – At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. 35 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?"
CONCLUSION
How intriguing it is to read through this account and to consider how God pursued this pagan man. The Lord did not give up on Nebuchadnezzar until the man got to the point in his life where his pride was gone, his dignity was undone, and his heart was prepared to be wowed by God.
Friend, when was the last time you were wowed by God? When was the last time your sense of wonder and awe stirred your heart and lifted your eyes to the Creator of the cosmos?
Nebuchadnezzar had his dream revealed and interpreted. He even saw a mighty miracle of God’s preservation of life. But it wasn’t enough. God had to move even more in the man’s life before he bowed before God and called Him Lord.
Maybe you’ve seen God’s hand at work a time or two as well. And, because of that, you feel you have some sense of a religious life.
But have you ever really been wowed by God? Have you ever been moved to bow before Jesus and call Him Lord?
Are you willing to allow God to examine your heart? Do you have a spirit of pride that keeps the King of heaven off of the throne of your heart? Are you still sitting there, trying to run the show your way? What will it take to move you? And do you really want to let it reach that point?
Nebuchadnezzar’s final testimony in the Bible is this….
DANIEL 4:37 – Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
I opened with a story about a man who wanted to be buried seated behind the wheel of his favorite automobile. Do you really want to come to the end of your life still sitting in the driver’s seat? Why not give God the wheel? Why not allow God now - to wow you enough to make you bow?