What Nebuchadnezzar Underestimated Dan 2: 12-13 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
Nebuchadnezzar successfully destroyed Judah and took many captives to Babylon. He was very powerful and became the world ruler in his day. God had promoted him to this great power and rule. Among the captives, he had Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These were men through whom God instructed Nebuchadnezzar in some things about himself that Nebuchadnezzar didn’t understand. Nebuchadnezzar had seriously underestimated some things about God that he had to learn. Nebuchadnezzar underestimated:
The depth of God’s wisdom – Dan 1:17-20 – in matters of wisdom and understanding, Daniel and his companions were ten times better than all the rest. That’s not because they were so much smarter than the other men. It was because “God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom.” God’s wisdom was here before there was anything else. God’s wisdom exceeds man’s wisdom so much that man’s wisdom is foolishness with God [1 Cor 1:19-20]. Thus, it is laughable for men to think they’re smarter than God. Professors, businessmen, rulers and the like underestimate God’s wisdom and discount it completely. They won’t even consider the Bible as the source of all of God’s written wisdom. Don’t do that. God will give you the same wisdom that he gave Daniel if you will spend time studying his words and praying for his wisdom [Jas 1:5].
The excellence of God’s Spirit – Dan 5:12; 2:19-22 – Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that no one could interpret or recall. He was going to kill all the wise men in Babylon because they couldn’t help him understand the dream that troubled him. Yet, God revealed the dream to Daniel and gave him the interpretation. It’s no wonder; God had given Nebuchadnezzar the dream in the first place. How foolish men are to look to other men to understand what God is doing or saying. Whatever you do, do not underestimate the excellence of God’s Spirit. God’s Holy Spirit is the only one that can reveal the truth to you [1 Cor 2:10]. And if you will rely upon his Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth, he will miraculously reveal the truth in his words to you, the same way he revealed this dream and its interpretation to Daniel.
The conviction of God’s men – Dan 3:16-18 – Nebuchadnezzar thought he could scare Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into submitting to his command to worship the idol. He had no idea that these men would never disobey God’s commandment in order to keep his. They were like Peter, who said, “We ought to obey God rather than men,” [Acts 5:29]. You ought to have such steadfast convictions about the things of God that you would rather die than give in. You ought to be of the same character and conviction as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. It ought to shock people today that there are still men with enough backbone that they won’t give into to the demands of the world to turn away from God.
The power of God’s deliverance – Dan Dan 3:21-25 – Nebuchadnezzar wanted to destroy Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace. But have you ever considered why he heated it seven times hotter than it had been. He didn’t do that because he was trying to change their minds; he didn’t give them an opportunity to recant. He heated it up seven times hotter because he wanted to be sure they would die. They were so bold and confident in their opposition to his command that he couldn’t take any chances that their God would some how deliver them. Ha. Our God made the sun and is a consuming fire. When God chose to deliver them, there was no fire in the universe that could have burned them. That same God is your God and he can deliver you from anything or protect you through anything that men decide to do to you. So, don’t fret [Ps 118:6]. They underestimate the power of our God.
The magnitude of God’s dominion – Dan 4:30-35 – Nebuchadnezzar, like most other kings in the world, thought that he had ascended to such great heights of success and power by his own means. How utterly foolish he was to believe that. So, God taught him a lesson and humbled him for seven years to eat straw like an ox. At the end of seven years he knew for certain “that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men.” All kings would do well to realize this and humble themselves before the King of kings and Lord of lords. But, sadly, they won’t. Nevertheless, we know who is in charge and we are certain beyond all doubt that, in due time, God will give all the kingdoms of the world to his Son [Rev 11:15] who will rule them forever [Is 9:6-7]. In the meantime, don’t let the folly of men in positions of authority frustrate you. Remember, God “setteth up over it the basest of men,” [Dan 4:17].
Conclusion: Don’t underestimate our God. Learn from the Bible what Nebuchadnezzar had to learn by his mistakes. God has all the wisdom, all the power, and all the dominion. And the Holy Spirit will reveal to you all the truth you need. Therefore, set your convictions like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did and don’t bend, bow or break in this world.