Bible Biographies: Nebuchandnezzar

SCRIPTURE: 2 Kings 24,25; Jeremiah 22:21-39,43-52; 2 Chronicles 36; Daniel 1-4; Ezra.

BIOGRAPHY

Nebuchadnezzar was the eldest son of Nabopolassar, the founder of the Chaldean Empire. He married Nitocris whose son-in-law Nabonidus and grandson Belshazzar were the last co-rulers of the empire. Nebuchadnezzar, as the crown prince, led the Babylonian forces that defeated the Egyptians at Carchemish in 605 BC. At this time he brought Daniel and others of the Judean nobility as hostages back to Babylon.

On the death of his father he ascended the throne on September 6, 605 BC. Jehoiakim of Judah submitted to him (2 Kings 24:1). He captured Jerusalem on March 16, 597 BC, taking Jehoiakim captive and replacing him with Zedekiah (2 Kings 24:11-20). Zedekiah eventually revolted and he was taken into captivity with the remnant of Judea in 586 BC. Nebuchadnezzar had much contact with Daniel.

The Jewish captive with God's help interpreted the visions of the arrogant man in Daniel 2 and of the Tree in Daniel 4. Late in life he suffered from zoantrophy and was in the fields for seven years. He rebelled against God's plan of history by erecting a huge statue of gold on the plain of Dura. Because they would not worship the idol, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were cast into the furnace (Daniel 3). There is some evidence that late in life Nebuchadnezzar became a believer (Daniel 4:34-37). He died in 562 BC.

SUMMARY

Using the Daniel passages in chapters 1 - 4 we see Pride and its result. The main cause of Nebuchadnezzar's pride was his position:

a) As conqueror (Daniel 1:1,2).

b) As the taker of hostages (Daniel 1:3-6).

c) As the judge with power of life or death (Daniel 1:10, 2:5).

d) As King of Kings (Daniel 2:37).

e) As the recipient of power, strength and glory (Daniel 2:37).

f) As world ruler (Daniel 2:38).

g) As the controller of religion (Daniel 3:3-6).

h) As a great builder (Daniel 4:30).

However, he failed to see that his position was not of his own making but of God, and that God can demote as well as promote:

a) God caused Jehoiakim to fall (Daniel 1:1,2).

b) God gave Nebuchadnezzar his position (Daniel 2:37,38).

c) God gave Nebuchadnezzar the dream of his fall (Daniel 4:13-18).

d) God provided an interpreter (Daniel 4:19-27).

e) He ignored God's direction (Daniel 4:30).

f) God brought Nebuchadnezzar to act as an animal and demoted him (Daniel 4:31-33).

g) Nebuchadnezzar believed and recognized God (Daniel 4:34-37).

LIFE LESSONS

a) Pride is the worst of all sins (Proverbs 6:16,17).

b) Leaders of men often suffer from pride (2 Chronicles 32:25,26; 1 Timothy 3:6).

c) Pride leads to abuse of power (Isaiah 3:13-16).

d) God controls the destiny of man (Job 1:21).

e) Those who oppress believers will be disciplined by God (1 Kings 21:19).

f) God controls the individual and will not allow continual abuse of power (Amos 4:1-3).

g) Great rulers can be brought down to the dust (Psalm 135:10).

h) The choice is between pride (own will) and the Scriptures (God's will) (Proverbs 8:13).

i) God will respond to the penitent soul (Psalm 51:17).

j) God will have no other gods before Him (Exodus 20:3) - the first commandment.