Kings Should Avoid Rooftops

Even after being warned that he would be driven from human society and would live like an animal if he didn’t stop sinning and do what was right, Nebuchadnezzar took a fateful walk on the roof of his palace (kings should avoid rooftops–the Bible is pretty clear about that), congratulating himself on his own mighty power.  Bad plan.

“Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor,” boasted the king–and while the words were still in his mouth, a voice from heaven warned that he would be driven from human society and eat grass like a cow for seven “periods of time.”

In that same hour, the judgment was fulfilled.  During that time he was drenched with the dew, his hair grew long, and his nails were like bird’s claws.  He was a wild man!  After the allotted “seven periods of time,” Nebuchadnezzar reports that he looked up to heaven and his sanity was returned to him, and he praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever (Dan. 4:34).

Was this a genuine conversion?  We may never know this side of heaven, but since chapter 4 starts with his very public testimony, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Nebuchadnezzar among the saints in heaven.

Isn’t it amazing the lengths to which God will go to woo one of us to Himself?  This plan was custom-made for the King of Babylon.  It began with his prideful words, and ended the moment he turned his eyes back to heaven.

If you’re reading through the Daily Walk Bible, today’s passage is Daniel 4-6.