Day 247, September 4 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Ezekiel 29:17–30:19; Daniel 4; 2Kings 25:27-30; Jeremiah 52:31-34
Who is King?
A lion is considered by many as the king or ruler of the jungle. Many people think they are kings or rulers over their own jungles. Is that the truth—is life just the survival of the fittest? Is mankind the determiner of his own destiny? Do we consider ourselves self-made men or women? Who is it that gives us wisdom, talent, unique gifts, abilities, and opportunities? Who is sovereign over everything and everyone? Who rules this universe and planet?
Three nations and their rulers find out who is sovereign in today’s Bible reading: Egypt, Nebuchadnezzar, and Jehoiachin. We will also learn who is sovereign and what our attitudes should be toward the LORD.
Egypt
Egypt is a powerful enemy of Babylon. She doesn't think she can be conquered but finds out differently. Babylon attacks her like a storm sweeping through. Nebuchadnezzar’s forces march from Syria all the way to Egypt and even to nations east of the Jordan River, conquering wherever they go.
Ezekiel writes a series of seven laments for Egypt, for she will be destroyed. God is angry at this nation! He is offended because Judah relied on Egypt rather than the LORD, and he is mad that Egypt failed to keep her agreement with Judah. She only made a half-hearted attempt to help her when Babylon besieged her, then turned back. Even if God is mad at his people, they are still his family.
Now, there will be payback. Because God is helping Babylon, nothing can stop this army from conquering Egypt. Babylon will destroy her, and she will never rise to world prominence again.
From 585-572 B.C. (thirteen years), Babylon laid siege to Tyre and got nothing for it. So God is going to reward Babylon for being his arm of judgment against Judah and the surrounding nations. The LORD will allow Babylon to destroy the powerful renowned country of Egypt.
The LORD can use even the ungodly to fulfill his purposes.
Jehoiachin is humbled
Before the first exile of Judah’s most prominent citizens and youth, Jehoiachin had shared co-regency with his father, Jehoiakim, king of Judah. When Babylon invaded Jerusalem, Jehoiakim was replaced with Jehoiachin.
Jehoiachin and the kings before him denied Jeremiah and Ezekiel’s prophecies that Babylon would conquer Judah. Almost all of Judah’s prophets falsely foretold just the opposite, but it happened just as God’s two prophets had said.
After only three months of sole regency, in 597 B.C., King Jehoiachin was captured and deported. He was exiled along with his royal family, his officials, 10,000 of his soldiers, craftsmen, artisans, and citizens. Also, the Babylonian commander, Nebuchadnezzar, took all of the precious and costly articles in Solomon’s temple and the king’s treasury to Babylon.
Only the poorest people of the land remained. So, Nebuchadnezzar appointed Jehoiachin’s uncle, Zedekiah, to be a vassal king over the area.
Jehoiachin was humbled for thirty-seven years in exile. Perhaps, King Jehoiachin then realized God was Sovereign, for the LORD was merciful to him, allowing his latter years to be free from the shackles of bondage.
Nebuchadnezzar; his pride becomes his downfall
Nebuchadnezzar is full of pride over all his military accomplishments. One night he has a frightening dream. In the dream, a large tree has massive growth and is very fruitful. Everyone is fed from its bounty. Under it, the animals find shade, and in it, the birds find protection. However, one day it is cut down, leaving only a stump in the ground.
None of Nebuchadnezzar’s magicians or wise men can interpret the dream. Finally, he calls in Belteshazzar (Daniel) to come and analyze it. He had received a favorable interpretation many years before, so perhaps Daniel will once again be able to soothe his mind. It was not to be.
Daniel is hesitant but interprets the dream, saying
You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times [probably meaning years] 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.
The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules.
Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue (Daniel 4:25-27, NIV).
Nebuchadnezzar does not renounce his sins, however, and one year later, in a single day, all these things happen to him. After proclaiming his great deeds, Nebuchadnezzar is reduced to being less than human and is dethroned for insanity. For seven years, he lives like an animal, even eating grass, until one day, he comes to his senses and realizes that God is Sovereign, not him. Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom is then restored.
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 (Daniel 4:37, NIV).
Can pride lead to punishment and destruction? Yes. The Apostle Peter will later write, “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (1Peter 5:5b, NIV).
Discussion
What characteristic of God is taught in this Bible lesson? How was it shown in these three scenarios? How has he demonstrated it in your life?
It was said that God can even use the ungodly to fulfill his purposes. How does that make you feel? Have you ever seen it? When?
Focus Verse
Proverbs 21:1 (NIV) “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.”
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A Look Ahead: What does the Bible say about Dreams and Visions? Learn more about them in this Next Lesson from the book of Daniel.
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