Why do we allow our pride to get in the way? Why are we so blinded to the life lessons of others?
I’m reading through the book of Daniel. This book is rich with examples of faith and courage to stand for God and His commandments. But this book is also full of examples of pride and a failure to learn from the mistakes and life lessons of ancestors – who happen to be powerful leaders.
Today I want to focus on the fourth and fifth chapters of Daniel. In chapter four, we see the great King Nebuchadnezzar share his encounter with the LORD God. Nebuchadnezzar was in his prime. There was no other king in his time that could stand against him. God used Nebuchadnezzar to consequate his people. Nebuchadnezzar knew this. Nebuchadnezzar also knew that the God of Israel was not like other gods. He had already seen His hand by this point with Daniel revealing the meaning of his dreams in chapter 2, he had already seen His presence and protection in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in chapter 3. But in the fourth chapter we see that Nebuchadnezzar is overcome with his pride.
Once again, the king of Babylon dreams and cannot understand the meaning. He calls Daniel in to interpret. God reveals the meaning to Daniel and Daniel shares it with Nebuchadnezzar. It’s meaning was not an easy message to deliver. King Nebuchadnezzar was getting ready to be punished by God for 7 periods of time – living with the wild animals – driven from society – until he would lay down his pride and acknowledge that all he had was not his doing. It was God’s. In an act of compassion and care, Daniel urges the king to change his ways and humble himself in an effort to avoid this punishment. Even though the king holds Daniel in highest regard – even believing the interpretation of the dream – Nebuchadnezzar does nothing to repent.
What follows? Exactly what God had said would happen. The king loses his mind and is kicked out of society for 7 periods of time. This didn’t have to happen. But pride is strong and its consequences are great. What became of Nebuchadnezzar? Did he end there? No. “After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever. His rule is everlasting and his kingdom is eternal. All the people of the earth are nothing compared to him. He does as he pleases among the angels of heaven and among the people of the earth. No one can stop him or say to him, ‘What do you mean by doing these things?” (Daniel 4: 34-35) It wasn’t until Nebuchadnezzar looked up that he was freed from his pride and the price that came because of it! This experience changed him. Broken of pride, Nebuchadnezzar could see God and give Him the worship and honor God deserved.
Move on to chapter 5. New leader. Nebuchadnezzar’s ancestor (who is referred to as King Beltshazzar – but is actually sitting as second in command to his father – an absent king), is having a dinner party. Clearly this ruler has completely disregarded the life lessons of his grandfather. Instead, he prefers to worship his idols and mock the God of Israel. This isn’t a matter of not knowing history. This isn’t a matter of not watching what God had done and the transformation of Nebuchadnezzar. No, this was just another time of flat out refusing truth and letting pride reign.
So Beltshazzar is partying and decides it would be fun to bring out the cups from the God of Israel’s Temple. These are cups that were set apart as holy. Wine is poured. Beltshazzar and his closest friends, advisors, his wives, and concubines are drinking from them while honoring their idols. The fun abruptly ends at this point and terror sets in. A hand appears and begins writing on the wall. No one can understand what is written – that is until the queen mother arrives on the scene and reminds the king of a man named Daniel who interpreted dreams for Nebuchadnezzar.
Let’s pick up the story in verse 20. “But when his heart and mind were puffed up with arrogance, he was brought down from his royal throne and stripped of glory. He was driven from human society. He was given the mind of a wild animal, and he lived among the wild donkeys. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he learned that the Most High God rules over the kingdoms of the world and appoints anyone he desires to rule over them. You are his successor, O Belshazzar, and you knew all this, yet you have not humbled yourself.” (Daniel 5:20-22) The consequence? Death. Belshazzar died that very night.
Why do we refuse to listen and learn from the life experiences of others? Why do we think things will be different for us? Why do we let pride reign instead of God?
It doesn’t have to be that way. I think one of the very best books of the bible to remind us of this is the book of Daniel. Over and over again we see a small group of men who were completely dedicated to the LORD God. They were faithful. They trusted him with their lives and were willing to stand firm in their obedience to him even though they faced furnaces of fire, dens of lions, and the anger and hatred of men. They knew God. They knew his Word. They stood boldly upon it.
We can have that same legacy. It will not come without intentionality, though. It will not come without preparation and investing time and energy. It will not come without turning our eyes upward, and off of ourselves. Friend, I pray that this legacy – this lifestyle – becomes our passion.
Blessings.