Exhortation: The King’s Decision
4: 27
Exhortation: The King’s decision DIG: Did Nebuchadnezzar think he was invincible? Are God’s plans set in concrete or are they somewhat contingent upon our actions? Do we have free will in God’s universe? What are the implications of verse 27 in this regard?
REFLECT: Can we say “No!” to God and make it stick? Since we are saved, does this affect our eternal security? Can we gain our salvation through works? Can we lose our salvation through works? What decision have you made? Who can you pray for this week?
The decree the king had dreamed about could be delayed or even cancelled,
but only if he made the right decision.
The horrifying fate described for Nebuchadnezzar in his dream (to see link click Bv – Interpretation: The King’s Danger: The meaning of the decree), was not inevitable, though. The purpose of the dream was to provide the king with a warning, so that he might repent of his pride. He could demonstrate that repentance by doing what was right and showing concern for the oppressed. Therefore, Dani’el pleaded with him, “Your Majesty, please accept my advice: Stop sinning and do what is right, repent from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor. Perhaps then your tranquility (Hebrew: shelevah, meaning prosperity, tranquility, or security) will continue” (4:27 NLT). If Nebuchadnezzar humbled himself, then ADONAI wouldn’t have to humble him. If he did not repent, however, then the Babylonian monarch would find out who was really in control of the universe.163
Dani’el’s advice for Nebuchadnezzar consisted of two points: First, the king was to repent of his sins by righteousness. In both the TaNaKh and the B’rit Chadashah, the terminology of this advice points to justification by faith through the putting on of righteousness. In discussing the return of Yeshua just before the start of the Messianic Kingdom, Isaiah says that Messiah will put on righteousness as His breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; He put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak (59:17). This pictures Yeshua getting ready to intervene. Paul would later take this verse and use it when describing the full armor of God (see Ephesians Cb – The Armor of God). Because many people are more familiar with the B’rit Chadashah than the TaNaKh they believe that Paul was describing a Roman soldier. But Isaiah had written this long before there were any Roman soldiers. The full armor of God in Ephesians 6 is either a direct quote or paraphrase from the TaNaKh. His point is that we should resist Satan as Messiah did in the wilderness, with Scripture (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13, and Luke 4:1-13).164
Second, Nebuchadnezzar was to repent of his wickedness by being merciful to the poor. Following justification by faith, he should do good works that follow salvation (James 2:17-26). Justification by faith and its consequences would lead to the continuation of the king’s tranquility. Of course, Dani’el’s counsel to the king was not a “plan of salvation,” for neither Nebuchadnezzar nor anyone else can be saved by works. Salvation involves a personal experience with the living God with right living naturally flowing out of a changed life. In this instance, Dani’el was pleading for the king to follow what Isaiah had said centuries before: Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow (Isaiah 1:17).165 This was the dilemma that Nebuchadnezzar faced. The decree the king had dreamed about could be delayed or even cancelled if he made the right decision.
In ancient times, an Eastern monarch exercised supreme authority and was master of life and death. Dani’el knew that Nebuchadnezzar had a violent temper (2:12 and 3:19), and he was taking a dangerous path as he confronted the king with his sins; and yet the faithful prophet must proclaim the Word and leave the consequences with the LORD. Moses learned that in the court of Pharaoh, and so did Nathan in the court of David when he boldly told the king, “You are the man” (Second Samuel 17:7). Elijah boldly confronted wicked King Ahab and Queen Jezebel (First Kings 18:17ff), and John the Baptist told King Herod to break off his evil relationship with Herodias (Mark 6:14-29).
Unlike the Jewish rulers, who were supposed to be accessible to their people and serve them as shepherds, Eastern kings lived in splendid isolation and heard only the good news. Being a high official in Babylon, Dani’el knew that Nebuchadnezzar had not been concerned about the poor or shown mercy to those in need. Dani’el also knew how many times that the Torah of Ha’Shem spoke of Himself as the protector and defender of the poor, the aliens, and the oppressed. Perhaps Nebuchadnezzar had exploited the people in pursuing his extensive building operations, and wealth that should have helped the poor had been used to gratify the selfish appetites of the proud king.
Dani’el was calling for repentance. He wanted the king to change his mind, acknowledge his sins, turn from them, and put his faith in the true and living God, the Most High God of the Hebrews. Nebuchadnezzar knew enough about Dani’el’s God to know that Dani’el spoke the truth,166 but what decision would Nebuchadnezzar make? What decision will you make?
In 1960, sensing that believers needed a resource to help them navigate the ever-changing world, Billy Graham launched Decision magazine. At the end of every crusade, Billy would have an altar call for people who had made a decision for Christ. Over the years, the publication has continued to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. King Nebuchadnezzar needed to make a decision, and today the entire world needs to make a decision about Yeshua Messiah. If you have not made that decision yet, indeed, now is the “right time.” Today is the day of salvation (Second Corinthians 6:2b)! The Bible says that Messiah died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (First Corinthians 15:3b-4). If you believe that and have never asked Yeshua to be your Lord and Savior would you pray this simple prayer right now: God, I admit that I have sinned. I believe that Yeshua Messiah died for my sins, and I want to trust Him to save me right now. Finally, why should God let you into His heaven? That’s right, because Yeshua has died to pay for your sins. Now you need to find a good messianic synagogue or church that teaches the Word of God faithfully so you can grow in your faith, exercise your spiritual gift(s), and have fellowship with other believers.
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