WEBVTT

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 Please take your copy of God's Word and turn to Daniel chapter 4.

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!

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 The second theme is the immovable sovereignty of God.

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 And this is often seen in juxtaposition to the rise and the fall of man, and it is seen by God's hand.

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 We will see today that it is God who does the raising up and the bringing low.

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 And thirdly, we'll see time and time again the resilient faith of Daniel and his friends in a hostile culture.

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 Now, I'll say this theme is not well developed in this chapter of the book.

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 It's a lesser theme, but we will see that Daniel is still serving in the court, and he is still willing to speak on behalf of God.

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 So Daniel chapter 4, beginning at verse 1, before I read, beloved, let me remind you that this is God's Word to us.

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 It's inspired, it's authoritative, it's sufficient.

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 And it was written for his glory and our good.

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 And so we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands.

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 Daniel chapter 4, beginning in verse 1.

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 King Nebuchadnezzar, to all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth, peace be multiplied to you.

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 It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me.

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 How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders.

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 His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation.

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 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and prospering in my palace.

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 I saw a dream that made me afraid.

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 As I lay in bed, the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me.

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 So I made a decree that all the wise men of Babylon should be brought before me,

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 and that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream.

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 Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers came in.

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 And I told them the dream, but they could not make known to me its interpretation.

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 At last Daniel came in before me.

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 He who was named Beltegazar after the name of my God, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods.

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 And I told him the dream, saying,

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 O Beltegazar, chief of the magicians,

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 because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and that no mystery is too difficult for you.

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 Tell me the visions of my dream that I saw and their interpretation.

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 The visions of my head as I lay in bed were these.

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 I saw and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great.

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 The tree grew and became strong, and its top reached to heaven,

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 and it was visible to the end of the whole earth.

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 Its leaves were beautiful, and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all.

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 The beasts of the field found shade under it,

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 and the birds of the heavens lived in its branches, and all flesh was spread from it.

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 I saw in the visions of my head as I lay in bed, and behold, a watcher, a holy one, came down from heaven.

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 He proclaimed aloud and said thus,

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 Chop down the tree and top off its branches.

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 Strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit.

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 Let the beasts flee from under it and the birds from its branches.

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 But leave the stump of its roots in the earth,

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 bound with a band of iron and bronze amid the tender grass of the field.

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 Let him be wet with the dew of heaven.

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 Let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth.

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 Let his mind be changed from man's, and let a beast's mind be given to him,

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 and let seven periods of time pass over him.

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 The sentence is by the decree of the watchers,

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 the decision by the word of the holy ones,

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 to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men,

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 and gives it to whom he will, and sets over it the lowliest of men.

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 This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw.

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 And you, O Beltegazar, tell me the interpretation,

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 because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation.

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 But you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.

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 Then Daniel, whose name was Beltegazar, was dismayed for a while,

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 and his thoughts alarmed him.

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 The king answered and said,

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 Beltegazar, let not the dream or the interpretation alarm you.

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 Beltegazar answered and said,

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 My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you,

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 and its interpretation for your enemies.

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 The tree you saw, which grew and became strong,

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 so that its top reached to heaven,

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 and it was visible to the end of the whole earth,

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 whose leaves were beautiful, and its fruit abundant,

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 and which was food for all,

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 under which beasts of the field found shade,

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 and whose branches the birds of the heavens lived.

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 It is you, O king, who have grown and become strong.

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 Your greatness has grown and reaches to heaven,

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 and your dominion to the ends of the earth.

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 And because the king saw a watcher,

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 a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying,

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 Chop down the tree and destroy it,

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 but leave the stump of its roots in the earth,

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 bound with a band of iron and bronze,

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 in the tender grass of the field,

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 and let him be wet with the dew of heaven,

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 and let his portion be with the beasts of the field,

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 till seven periods of time pass over him.

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 This is the interpretation, O king.

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 It is a decree of the Most High,

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 which has come upon my lord, the king,

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 that you shall be driven from among men,

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 and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field.

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 You shall be made to eat grass like an ox,

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 and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven,

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 and seven periods of time shall pass over you,

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 till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men,

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 and gives it to whom he will.

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 And as it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree,

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 your kingdom shall be confirmed for you

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 from the time that you know that heaven rules.

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 Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you.

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 Break off your sins by practicing righteousness,

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 and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed,

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 that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.

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 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar.

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 At the end of twelve months,

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 he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon,

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 and the king answered and said,

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 Is not this great Babylon which I have built by my mighty power

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 as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?

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 While the words were still in the king's mouth,

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 there fell a voice from heaven,

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 O king Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken.

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 The kingdom has departed from you,

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 and you shall be driven from among men,

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 and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field.

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 You shall be made to eat grass like an ox,

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 and seven periods of time shall pass over you,

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 until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men,

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 and gives it to whom he will.

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 Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar.

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 He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox,

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 and his body was wet with the dew of heaven,

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 till his hair grew as long as an eagle's feathers,

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 and his nails were like bird's claws.

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 At the end of the days,

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 I, Nebuchadnezzar,

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 lifted my eyes to heaven,

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 and my reason returned to me.

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 And I blessed the Most High

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 and praised and honored him who lives forever,

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 for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,

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 and his kingdom endures from generation to generation.

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 All the inhabitants of the earth

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 are accounted as nothing,

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 and he does according to his will

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 among the host of heaven

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 and among the inhabitants of the earth.

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 And none can stay his hand

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 or say to him,

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 What have you done?

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 At the same time,

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 my reason returned to me,

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 and for the glory of my kingdom,

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 my majesty and splendor returned to me.

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 My counselors and my lords sought me,

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 and I was established in my kingdom,

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 and still more greatness was added to me.

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 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar,

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 praise and extol and honor the King of heaven,

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 for all his works are right

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 and his ways are just,

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 and those who walk in pride

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 he is able to humble.

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 All right.

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 We have about 30 minutes to cover the content.

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 Of this text.

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 Before we do,

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 before we get into the meat of it

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 and the driving point of it,

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 I want to deal with the first three verses

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 and consider how they relate to the last 34.

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 Now there's two explanations of this.

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 I'm going to give you the first one,

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 which I think is a probable explanation of it,

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 and that is that it's a precursor,

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 it's an introduction to the rest of the story

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 that he's in advance saying,

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 here's the thing I intend to tell you,

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 and then he launches into this story.

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 It's very possible that this is the meaning of it.

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 However, I'd like to suggest to you

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 the more unpopular opinion,

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 which I always hate when I hold the more unpopular opinion,

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 and that is that the first three verses of chapter four

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 actually belong with the end of chapter three,

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 which is the story that we studied last week there,

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 and I'm going to do that for a couple of reasons.

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 Number one, the medieval translation places these verses,

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 verses one through three, at the end of chapter three.

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 So once upon a time, this was the case.

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 They were chapter three, verse 31 through 34,

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 and it was Martin Luther who changed the chapter

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 and verse break to have chapter three end with verse 30.

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 Now we know that chapter and verse breaks are not inspired.

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 There's a good example of that.

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 It was changed, so we're left with the task

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 of figuring out how these stories carry along together.

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 But I think it belongs with the story

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 at the end of chapter three,

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 the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,

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 the great idol in the plain that they were asked to worship

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 and thrown into the fiery furnace as a result,

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 because it contains in it a familiar phrase

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 found in the beginning of chapter three.

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 You see this in chapter three, verse four,

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 people's nations and languages.

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 So part of the command to bow down to this idol

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 was that the people's nations and languages would do so.

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 And then this to me seems to kind of cap off

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 what happens there.

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 First, he gives a decree, verse 29 of chapter three,

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 that no one would speak against the God of Shadrach,

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 Meshach, and Abednego.

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 And then I suggest to you that he speaks

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 in favor of that God.

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 He says to all peoples, nations, and languages

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 that dwell in all the earth,

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 peace be multiplied to you.

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 It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders

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 the most high God has done for me.

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 How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders.

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 His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

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 and his dominion endures from generation

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 to generation, right?

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 So placing these three verses

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 at the beginning of chapter four

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 connects it to the rest of chapter four,

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 and I think it makes Nebuchadnezzar

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 seem a bit like a crazy person.

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 You may have experienced this

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 in your reading of the book of Daniel,

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 that he just seems so back and forth.

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 But I think what we see

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 at the very beginning of chapter four,

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 and I'm arguing should be the end of chapter three,

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 I think we're actually witnessing

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 Nebuchadnezzar's conversion.

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 Notice the progression of things

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 that he has said about Yahweh,

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 about our God, the God of Daniel

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 and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

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 In chapter two and verse 47,

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 he says to Daniel,

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 truly your God is God of gods

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 and Lord of kings

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 and a revealer of mysteries,

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 for you have been able to reveal

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 this mystery he's talking about

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 the interpretation of his dream.

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 So your God is God of gods

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 and Lord of kings.

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 Chapter three, verse 29,

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 I mentioned,

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 therefore I make a decree,

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 any people, nation, or language

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 that speaks anything against

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 the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

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 shall be torn limb from limb

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 and their houses laid in ruins.

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 For there is no other God

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 who is able to rescue in this way.

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 So again, the God of Shadrach, Meshach,

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 and Abednego.

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 But then in chapter four, verse two,

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 he says,

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 it has seemed good to me

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 to show the signs and wonders

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 that the most high God

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 has done for me.

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 It seems that he has come to know

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 this God.

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 And I'm suggesting to you

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 that it's because of the occasion

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 that happened on the plain of Dura

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 with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

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 Again, that we are observing

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 the conversion of Nebuchadnezzar II.

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 Now, quite frankly,

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 either way you argue it,

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 it's okay with me.

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 But let me go a little further.

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 Note that I referred to him

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 as Nebuchadnezzar II.

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 This is the Nebuchadnezzar the Great,

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 who is the prominent historical Nebuchadnezzar.

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 He was named after his grandfather

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 and was the ruler under which Babylon

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 became a great empire.

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 Typically, when you hear

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 Nebuchadnezzar reference,

00:13:43.299 --> 00:13:44.460
 this is the Nebuchadnezzar

00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:46.460
 that's being referred to.

00:13:47.220 --> 00:13:48.220
 Upon his death,

00:13:48.419 --> 00:13:50.340
 he was succeeded by his son,

00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:51.879
 Amel Marduk,

00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:54.220
 who was such a terrible ruler

00:13:54.220 --> 00:13:55.159
 that he was murdered

00:13:55.159 --> 00:13:56.320
 by his brother-in-law,

00:13:56.740 --> 00:13:58.019
 Negal Sherazer,

00:13:58.240 --> 00:13:59.779
 who ruled four years

00:13:59.779 --> 00:14:01.320
 before his death.

00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:04.039
 He was succeeded by his son,

00:14:04.460 --> 00:14:05.639
 Labashi Marduk,

00:14:05.639 --> 00:14:07.720
 who was another inept ruler.

00:14:08.319 --> 00:14:09.639
 So he was assassinated

00:14:09.639 --> 00:14:11.500
 after a nine-month rule

00:14:11.500 --> 00:14:14.879
 and replaced with a man named Nabonidus.

00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:17.699
 Now, this is extra-biblical

00:14:17.699 --> 00:14:19.639
 but historical fact

00:14:20.539 --> 00:14:21.740
 as far as history can be understood

00:14:21.740 --> 00:14:23.100
 as factual.

00:14:23.720 --> 00:14:24.740
 The Babylonians kept

00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:25.899
 great historical records

00:14:25.899 --> 00:14:26.720
 and this is the record

00:14:26.720 --> 00:14:28.019
 that we're shown.

00:14:29.179 --> 00:14:30.000
 Now, Nabonidus,

00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:31.439
 in order to establish

00:14:31.439 --> 00:14:33.580
 some sense of legitimacy,

00:14:33.580 --> 00:14:35.900
 renamed himself

00:14:35.900 --> 00:14:38.259
 Nebuchadnezzar III.

00:14:38.660 --> 00:14:40.740
 He took on that name.

00:14:41.460 --> 00:14:42.600
 Of interesting historical note,

00:14:42.660 --> 00:14:43.280
 this is an aside,

00:14:43.379 --> 00:14:44.300
 but when Saddam Hussein

00:14:44.300 --> 00:14:45.120
 invaded Kuwait,

00:14:45.379 --> 00:14:46.560
 he referred to himself

00:14:46.560 --> 00:14:49.520
 as Nebuchadnezzar II

00:14:49.520 --> 00:14:51.759
 simply because he didn't know

00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:52.900
 his history well enough

00:14:52.900 --> 00:14:54.400
 to know that Nebuchadnezzar II

00:14:54.400 --> 00:14:55.879
 was not Nebuchadnezzar I.

00:14:55.879 --> 00:14:58.360
 He was actually Nebuchadnezzar IV

00:14:58.360 --> 00:14:59.860
 in that case.

00:15:00.340 --> 00:15:02.580
 But in order to establish legitimacy,

00:15:02.820 --> 00:15:03.980
 he was hearkening back

00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:05.820
 to that Babylonian king

00:15:05.820 --> 00:15:07.159
 the same way

00:15:07.159 --> 00:15:10.320
 that Nabonidus was doing.

00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:12.820
 Now, Nabonidus was succeeded

00:15:12.820 --> 00:15:14.120
 by his son

00:15:14.120 --> 00:15:15.360
 whose name was

00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:17.220
 Balthazar.

00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:17.700
 Nope.

00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:19.360
 His name was Balthazar

00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:21.580
 of chapter 5.

00:15:21.720 --> 00:15:23.399
 There's no historical record

00:15:23.399 --> 00:15:25.300
 that Nebuchadnezzar II

00:15:25.300 --> 00:15:27.039
 had a son named Belshazzar.

00:15:27.039 --> 00:15:28.439
 But there is a record

00:15:28.439 --> 00:15:29.980
 that Nebuchadnezzar III

00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:32.620
 had a son named Belshazzar.

00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:36.179
 Now, Daniel 5, 2a reads,

00:15:36.379 --> 00:15:38.639
 Belshazzar, when he tasted the wine,

00:15:39.179 --> 00:15:40.740
 commanded that the vessels of gold

00:15:40.740 --> 00:15:41.419
 and of silver

00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:43.120
 that Nebuchadnezzar, his father,

00:15:43.179 --> 00:15:44.419
 had taken out of the temple

00:15:44.419 --> 00:15:46.939
 in Jerusalem be brought.

00:15:47.439 --> 00:15:49.120
 And this has confused many people.

00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:50.459
 And there's a lot of criticism

00:15:50.459 --> 00:15:51.419
 of the book of Daniel

00:15:51.419 --> 00:15:52.879
 because it doesn't line up

00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:54.419
 with the historical record.

00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:56.319
 Critics of the scripture

00:15:56.320 --> 00:15:57.980
 used this argument to say

00:15:57.980 --> 00:15:59.720
 this is not inspired.

00:15:59.860 --> 00:16:00.580
 How could it be?

00:16:00.920 --> 00:16:01.740
 It doesn't reconcile

00:16:01.740 --> 00:16:03.480
 with the historical record.

00:16:03.740 --> 00:16:05.600
 But the word translated

00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:06.400
 his father

00:16:06.400 --> 00:16:07.800
 in our English translations

00:16:07.800 --> 00:16:09.000
 could also be translated

00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:10.960
 his predecessor.

00:16:11.540 --> 00:16:12.780
 So the Nebuchadnezzar

00:16:12.780 --> 00:16:13.940
 that came before him.

00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:17.080
 And that's very easily resolved.

00:16:17.920 --> 00:16:19.000
 So this brings me

00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:21.400
 to my second unpopular opinion.

00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:22.700
 I don't know how many of you

00:16:22.700 --> 00:16:23.480
 listen to podcasts

00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:24.260
 or audio books,

00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:25.439
 but do you ever listen to it

00:16:25.439 --> 00:16:26.460
 at like one and a half speed?

00:16:26.659 --> 00:16:27.559
 I feel like that's what I'm doing

00:16:27.559 --> 00:16:28.120
 right now.

00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:29.740
 For the sake of time.

00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:31.120
 I hope you're hanging with me.

00:16:31.939 --> 00:16:33.200
 My second unpopular opinion

00:16:33.200 --> 00:16:33.700
 is this.

00:16:33.700 --> 00:16:34.799
 That the Nebuchadnezzar

00:16:34.799 --> 00:16:36.179
 of chapter 4

00:16:36.179 --> 00:16:38.319
 verses 4 through 37

00:16:38.319 --> 00:16:40.519
 is Nebuchadnezzar the third,

00:16:40.700 --> 00:16:42.840
 not Nebuchadnezzar the second.

00:16:43.080 --> 00:16:44.159
 Different Nebuchadnezzars.

00:16:44.779 --> 00:16:45.500
 I'm going to give you

00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:46.240
 a couple of arguments

00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:47.379
 to this end

00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:48.000
 and then I'll tell you

00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:49.419
 why it matters at all.

00:16:50.220 --> 00:16:51.360
 Why it matters a little bit.

00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:51.980
 Number one,

00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:53.460
 I've been really geeking out

00:16:53.460 --> 00:16:54.340
 over the past two weeks

00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:54.879
 over this.

00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:57.560
 The Nebuchadnezzar

00:16:57.560 --> 00:16:59.340
 of 4, 4 through 37

00:16:59.340 --> 00:17:00.940
 has a dream, right?

00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:02.300
 We see him having a dream.

00:17:02.440 --> 00:17:04.599
 We know that Nebuchadnezzar

00:17:04.599 --> 00:17:06.019
 has had another dream

00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:08.099
 back in chapter 2.

00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:10.420
 But this time,

00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:11.960
 or this man,

00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:14.360
 doesn't call Daniel alone

00:17:14.360 --> 00:17:15.819
 to interpret the dream,

00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:18.079
 but instead issues a decree.

00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:19.899
 This is verse 6 and 7,

00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:21.220
 that the wise men of Babylon

00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:23.179
 should be brought before me,

00:17:23.240 --> 00:17:24.019
 that they would make known

00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:25.319
 the interpretation.

00:17:25.679 --> 00:17:26.500
 So verse 7 says,

00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:27.039
 the magicians,

00:17:27.119 --> 00:17:27.559
 the enchanters,

00:17:27.659 --> 00:17:28.259
 the Chaldeans,

00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:29.539
 the astrologers.

00:17:29.639 --> 00:17:30.799
 We've seen this happen

00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:33.859
 before in chapter 2.

00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:35.399
 Why would the Nebuchadnezzar

00:17:35.399 --> 00:17:36.279
 of chapter 2

00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:37.819
 call the same people

00:17:37.819 --> 00:17:39.059
 who were unable to help him

00:17:39.059 --> 00:17:41.119
 with that dream?

00:17:41.199 --> 00:17:42.480
 If you recall in chapter 2,

00:17:42.619 --> 00:17:43.799
 he wasn't even willing

00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:45.439
 to tell them the dream

00:17:45.439 --> 00:17:46.539
 because he thought

00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:47.279
 they would just trick him.

00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:47.879
 They would come up

00:17:47.879 --> 00:17:49.039
 with some interpretation

00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:50.259
 and it may or may not be.

00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:52.200
 He wanted them to tell him

00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:52.960
 the dream

00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:54.519
 and they couldn't.

00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:56.019
 And Daniel comes on the scene

00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:58.720
 and is able to do so.

00:17:59.079 --> 00:18:01.559
 So why would this Nebuchadnezzar

00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:02.899
 do what he did?

00:18:02.940 --> 00:18:03.740
 It doesn't make any sense

00:18:03.740 --> 00:18:04.940
 that he has forgotten

00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:06.180
 everything that happened

00:18:06.180 --> 00:18:08.399
 the last time he had a dream

00:18:08.399 --> 00:18:10.599
 and doesn't just call Daniel.

00:18:10.819 --> 00:18:11.720
 Like, hey, Daniel,

00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:12.740
 you're still in my court.

00:18:13.139 --> 00:18:13.740
 You're the guy

00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:15.720
 that interprets dreams.

00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:17.279
 Secondly,

00:18:17.940 --> 00:18:19.220
 the Nebuchadnezzar of 4,

00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:20.140
 4 through 37

00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:22.700
 does not seem to know

00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:24.220
 the God of Daniel.

00:18:24.860 --> 00:18:26.500
 We've seen in chapter 2

00:18:26.500 --> 00:18:28.299
 and in chapter 3,

00:18:28.700 --> 00:18:29.740
 I'm arguing the beginning

00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:30.539
 of chapter 4,

00:18:30.640 --> 00:18:32.279
 some expression that he does know

00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:33.880
 this God of Daniel.

00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:35.059
 He knows that Daniel

00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:38.319
 worships a single God.

00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:40.599
 in verses 8 and 9

00:18:40.599 --> 00:18:41.539
 of chapter 4,

00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:43.240
 this Nebuchadnezzar

00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:44.119
 refers to

00:18:44.119 --> 00:18:45.359
 the spirit

00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:47.759
 of the holy gods

00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:48.759
 that he believes

00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:51.019
 are in Daniel.

00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:52.220
 It's like he's heard

00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:52.740
 a rumor

00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:53.659
 that Daniel

00:18:53.659 --> 00:18:54.939
 has this spirit

00:18:54.939 --> 00:18:55.899
 and this ability,

00:18:55.899 --> 00:18:57.099
 but he doesn't actually know

00:18:57.099 --> 00:18:59.359
 where to locate

00:18:59.359 --> 00:19:00.859
 its source.

00:19:01.460 --> 00:19:02.159
 It doesn't make

00:19:02.159 --> 00:19:03.799
 a lot of sense.

00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:06.000
 How do we reconcile

00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:08.680
 this with the Nebuchadnezzar

00:19:08.680 --> 00:19:10.519
 of chapter 2's statement,

00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:12.019
 verse 47?

00:19:12.159 --> 00:19:12.299
 Again,

00:19:12.399 --> 00:19:13.700
 truly your God

00:19:13.700 --> 00:19:14.839
 is God of gods

00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:16.919
 and Lord of kings,

00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:18.099
 a revealer of mysteries,

00:19:18.299 --> 00:19:19.059
 for you have been able

00:19:19.059 --> 00:19:21.240
 to reveal this mystery.

00:19:21.339 --> 00:19:21.779
 He goes from

00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:22.740
 that grand statement

00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:23.879
 in chapter 2

00:19:23.879 --> 00:19:25.259
 to I've heard

00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:26.139
 you have these

00:19:26.139 --> 00:19:27.480
 holy gods

00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:29.059
 that dwell in you.

00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:30.619
 Third,

00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:31.919
 in chapter 4

00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:32.680
 in verse 30,

00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:35.000
 this Nebuchadnezzar says,

00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:37.460
 is not this great Babylon

00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:38.360
 which I have built

00:19:38.360 --> 00:19:40.080
 by my piety power

00:19:40.080 --> 00:19:41.300
 as a royal residence

00:19:41.300 --> 00:19:42.259
 and for the glory

00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:44.900
 of my majesty.

00:19:45.060 --> 00:19:45.160
 Right?

00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:46.140
 So many argue

00:19:46.140 --> 00:19:47.460
 that this must be

00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:49.400
 Nebuchadnezzar II,

00:19:50.320 --> 00:19:51.519
 but Nebuchadnezzar II

00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:53.160
 didn't build Babylon.

00:19:53.380 --> 00:19:54.039
 He just built it

00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:55.259
 to its prominence.

00:19:55.700 --> 00:19:56.660
 He built it up

00:19:56.660 --> 00:19:57.300
 so possibly

00:19:57.300 --> 00:19:58.680
 this is what he's saying.

00:19:58.759 --> 00:19:59.380
 I have made it

00:19:59.380 --> 00:20:01.340
 what it now is.

00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:02.920
 However,

00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:04.940
 when Nebuchadnezzar III

00:20:04.940 --> 00:20:05.980
 took the throne,

00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:07.800
 he decided to build

00:20:07.800 --> 00:20:08.980
 a new palace

00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:11.840
 and a new capital city

00:20:11.840 --> 00:20:13.660
 in a place called Temmah.

00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:14.640
 If my memory is

00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:15.200
 serving me right,

00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:16.800
 about 60 miles south

00:20:16.800 --> 00:20:18.000
 of the prominent

00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:19.460
 Nebuchadnezzar II,

00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:20.820
 Babylon,

00:20:21.080 --> 00:20:22.860
 and it was renamed

00:20:22.860 --> 00:20:24.240
 Babylon.

00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:26.720
 It became the new Babylon

00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:28.220
 there.

00:20:28.220 --> 00:20:29.620
 fourth,

00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:31.460
 there's no historical record

00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:33.100
 of Nebuchadnezzar II

00:20:33.100 --> 00:20:35.360
 disappearing for seven years.

00:20:36.400 --> 00:20:37.180
 Seven periods,

00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:38.160
 the text says.

00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:39.720
 In fact,

00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:41.559
 there are many records

00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:42.940
 indicating that he was

00:20:42.940 --> 00:20:44.220
 present and active

00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:45.220
 for the entirety

00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:46.720
 of his reign.

00:20:46.880 --> 00:20:48.240
 There's documentation

00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:49.620
 that is still

00:20:49.620 --> 00:20:50.680
 in the account.

00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:51.039
 Now,

00:20:51.140 --> 00:20:51.960
 it's possible

00:20:51.960 --> 00:20:52.600
 that that was

00:20:52.600 --> 00:20:53.920
 fabricated,

00:20:54.059 --> 00:20:54.680
 that it's kind of

00:20:54.680 --> 00:20:55.220
 a cover-up.

00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:55.839
 We don't want anybody

00:20:55.839 --> 00:20:56.720
 to think that our king

00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:58.779
 was insane for seven years.

00:20:58.920 --> 00:20:59.900
 Very possible

00:20:59.900 --> 00:21:01.980
 explanation to that.

00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:03.740
 But,

00:21:03.860 --> 00:21:05.279
 this doesn't reconcile

00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:06.240
 with the attitude

00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:07.100
 of the Nebuchadnezzar

00:21:07.100 --> 00:21:08.299
 of chapter 4.

00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:09.620
 The very last verse,

00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:10.079
 he says,

00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:10.579
 Now I,

00:21:10.680 --> 00:21:11.220
 Nebuchadnezzar,

00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:12.380
 praise and extol

00:21:12.380 --> 00:21:13.339
 and honor the king

00:21:13.339 --> 00:21:13.759
 of heaven,

00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:15.539
 for all his works

00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:16.140
 are right

00:21:16.140 --> 00:21:16.880
 and his ways

00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:17.539
 are just,

00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:18.740
 and those who walk

00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:19.200
 in pride

00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:19.880
 he is able

00:21:19.880 --> 00:21:21.299
 to humble.

00:21:21.640 --> 00:21:22.940
 It would seem

00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:23.960
 that he would want

00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:24.680
 it to be known

00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:25.680
 of this God.

00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:26.240
 This God

00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:27.420
 had humbled him

00:21:27.420 --> 00:21:30.120
 and in this way.

00:21:31.320 --> 00:21:32.600
 When Nebuchadnezzar III

00:21:32.600 --> 00:21:33.900
 moved the capital

00:21:33.900 --> 00:21:34.600
 to Timah

00:21:34.600 --> 00:21:35.640
 and called it Babylon,

00:21:36.360 --> 00:21:37.440
 he left

00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:38.660
 at the old capital

00:21:38.660 --> 00:21:39.559
 his son,

00:21:40.360 --> 00:21:40.920
 Belshazzar.

00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:42.420
 He was left behind

00:21:42.420 --> 00:21:43.480
 in Belshazzar

00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:45.019
 to kind of co-rule

00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:46.400
 with him.

00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:48.140
 And we have records

00:21:48.140 --> 00:21:48.880
 of communication

00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:49.600
 between him

00:21:49.600 --> 00:21:51.200
 and his son,

00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:53.319
 except for a gap

00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:53.819
 in time.

00:21:54.600 --> 00:21:55.140
 Guess how long

00:21:55.140 --> 00:21:56.380
 the gap in time is?

00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:58.059
 Seven years.

00:21:58.660 --> 00:21:59.580
 There's a silence.

00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:00.200
 And it could be

00:22:00.200 --> 00:22:00.920
 for any other reason.

00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:01.680
 Maybe it was lost,

00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:02.220
 burned up,

00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:03.259
 dropped on a river.

00:22:03.360 --> 00:22:03.460
 I mean,

00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:03.759
 there could be

00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:04.580
 some other reason,

00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:06.220
 but it's so interesting

00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:07.779
 that for seven years

00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:08.759
 there appears

00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:10.140
 to be a silence

00:22:10.140 --> 00:22:12.740
 between Nebuchadnezzar III,

00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.100
 Nabodidus,

00:22:14.360 --> 00:22:15.539
 and his son,

00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:16.680
 Belshazzar.

00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:18.319
 So I think

00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:19.440
 that this Nebuchadnezzar

00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:20.259
 is different

00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:21.840
 from that Nebuchadnezzar

00:22:21.840 --> 00:22:23.420
 of chapters 1

00:22:23.420 --> 00:22:25.019
 through chapter 4

00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:26.380
 and verse 3.

00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:26.940
 And so I'm going

00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:27.519
 to call him

00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.500
 Nabodidus

00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:29.620
 from now on.

00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:32.120
 But why does this matter?

00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:32.720
 Okay, so why?

00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:33.480
 Why did I just spend

00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:34.340
 the first 15 minutes

00:22:34.340 --> 00:22:34.779
 of this

00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:36.980
 in one and a half speed

00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:37.980
 telling you this?

00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:39.500
 I don't think

00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:40.799
 it matters ultimately,

00:22:41.080 --> 00:22:41.240
 right?

00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:41.740
 So you could just

00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:42.700
 flatly disagree with me

00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:42.980
 and go,

00:22:43.100 --> 00:22:43.920
 not a chance.

00:22:44.120 --> 00:22:44.900
 As I stated,

00:22:45.059 --> 00:22:45.660
 it's the more

00:22:45.660 --> 00:22:46.500
 unpopular opinion

00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:47.940
 of the text.

00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:48.900
 You can still learn

00:22:48.900 --> 00:22:50.000
 the prominent point

00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:51.200
 of chapter 4

00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:52.500
 and disagree with me

00:22:52.500 --> 00:22:53.299
 on this matter.

00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:55.759
 But two possible reasons

00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.680
 I think it does matter.

00:22:56.759 --> 00:22:57.539
 I mentioned to you already

00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:59.019
 the scholarly argument

00:22:59.019 --> 00:23:00.519
 against the veracity

00:23:00.519 --> 00:23:01.299
 of the Old Testament.

00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:02.640
 This is one of those.

00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:04.680
 Daniel is historically

00:23:04.680 --> 00:23:05.860
 inaccurate.

00:23:06.580 --> 00:23:07.920
 It's very confusing

00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:09.039
 as you try to parse

00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:09.840
 through all of that.

00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:10.960
 How is it that

00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:11.900
 there's a Belshazzar?

00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:13.220
 We have no record

00:23:13.220 --> 00:23:14.759
 of a son named Belshazzar,

00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:15.600
 etc.

00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:16.480
 Those things become

00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:17.619
 problematic in believing

00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:18.599
 that this is in fact

00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:19.859
 the Word of God.

00:23:19.959 --> 00:23:20.879
 And the Word of God

00:23:20.879 --> 00:23:22.099
 is both inspired

00:23:22.099 --> 00:23:23.819
 and it's an accurate history.

00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:24.839
 So I think it's helpful

00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:26.659
 for us to reconcile

00:23:26.659 --> 00:23:29.019
 these types of things.

00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:30.480
 The other,

00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:31.559
 and I think more important

00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:32.759
 reason that I'm making

00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:33.500
 this case,

00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:35.039
 is that I think

00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:36.459
 it displays for us

00:23:36.459 --> 00:23:37.480
 kind of the manifold

00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:39.439
 mercy of God.

00:23:39.879 --> 00:23:41.459
 It seems to me,

00:23:41.500 --> 00:23:42.279
 in my estimation,

00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:43.980
 that it's not just

00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:45.960
 one proud king,

00:23:46.180 --> 00:23:47.839
 one idolatrous king,

00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:50.619
 one oppressive king

00:23:50.619 --> 00:23:52.599
 that God is merciful to,

00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.839
 brings to humility,

00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:56.460
 I think brings to salvation,

00:23:56.700 --> 00:23:58.660
 but it's actually two.

00:23:59.619 --> 00:24:00.899
 That God uses Daniel

00:24:00.899 --> 00:24:01.619
 and his friends

00:24:01.619 --> 00:24:02.819
 and their perseverance,

00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:03.759
 or faithful perseverance,

00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:06.420
 in a hostile culture,

00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:09.879
 to display his grace

00:24:09.880 --> 00:24:11.180
 and mercy.

00:24:12.100 --> 00:24:14.040
 I think that it's

00:24:14.040 --> 00:24:14.980
 a reverberation

00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:15.780
 of the promise

00:24:15.780 --> 00:24:17.000
 made to Abraham

00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:18.240
 in Genesis chapter 22

00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.440
 and verse 18,

00:24:19.580 --> 00:24:20.640
 in your offspring

00:24:20.640 --> 00:24:22.440
 shall all the nations

00:24:22.440 --> 00:24:23.800
 of the earth

00:24:23.800 --> 00:24:25.180
 be blessed.

00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:26.340
 So that's how

00:24:26.340 --> 00:24:27.300
 it warms my heart

00:24:27.300 --> 00:24:27.620
 to think,

00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:28.620
 I think this is

00:24:28.620 --> 00:24:29.560
 a different guy,

00:24:29.680 --> 00:24:30.740
 another guy

00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:31.860
 that God

00:24:31.860 --> 00:24:33.300
 is merciful to,

00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:35.000
 another proud man

00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:35.980
 that deserves

00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:37.180
 the condemnation

00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:37.880
 of God

00:24:37.880 --> 00:24:39.500
 and yet is shown

00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:40.880
 his mercy.

00:24:41.760 --> 00:24:42.000
 So,

00:24:42.260 --> 00:24:43.680
 here's the outline

00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:44.400
 for our study

00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:45.020
 this morning.

00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:46.420
 Three points

00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:47.840
 to develop

00:24:47.840 --> 00:24:48.340
 the last one

00:24:48.340 --> 00:24:48.900
 very brief.

00:24:49.340 --> 00:24:49.700
 First,

00:24:49.800 --> 00:24:51.060
 the prideful rise

00:24:51.060 --> 00:24:52.320
 of Nabonidus.

00:24:55.020 --> 00:24:56.140
 You'll have to guess

00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:56.580
 on the spelling.

00:24:56.960 --> 00:24:57.240
 Second,

00:24:58.280 --> 00:24:59.720
 the humbling fall

00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:01.180
 of Nabonidus.

00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:05.140
 And third,

00:25:05.540 --> 00:25:07.240
 the humbling rise.

00:25:07.880 --> 00:25:08.940
 of Nabonidus.

00:25:09.940 --> 00:25:10.400
 First,

00:25:10.520 --> 00:25:11.620
 the prideful rise.

00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:13.520
 This whole episode

00:25:13.520 --> 00:25:14.400
 in the book of Daniel,

00:25:14.600 --> 00:25:16.180
 all of that language,

00:25:16.280 --> 00:25:16.880
 the repetition

00:25:16.880 --> 00:25:18.920
 is meant to make

00:25:18.920 --> 00:25:19.420
 the point

00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:20.480
 that Nabonidus

00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:22.520
 is told in this dream,

00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:23.660
 this is the point,

00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.280
 to the end,

00:25:25.320 --> 00:25:25.800
 this is the last part

00:25:25.800 --> 00:25:26.480
 of verse 17,

00:25:26.760 --> 00:25:27.840
 to the end

00:25:27.840 --> 00:25:29.220
 that the living

00:25:29.220 --> 00:25:30.020
 may know

00:25:30.020 --> 00:25:31.780
 that the Most High

00:25:31.780 --> 00:25:33.040
 rules the kingdom

00:25:33.040 --> 00:25:33.820
 of men

00:25:33.820 --> 00:25:34.660
 and gives it

00:25:34.660 --> 00:25:35.700
 to whom he will

00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:37.160
 and sets over it

00:25:37.160 --> 00:25:38.059
 the lowliest

00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:39.319
 of men.

00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:40.920
 This is the point

00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:41.680
 of all

00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:42.340
 of chapter

00:25:42.340 --> 00:25:43.480
 four,

00:25:43.840 --> 00:25:44.039
 right?

00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:45.080
 Nabonidus

00:25:45.080 --> 00:25:46.140
 is going to be

00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:47.240
 humbled

00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:48.240
 because

00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:49.220
 God

00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:50.420
 is to be known.

00:25:51.259 --> 00:25:51.819
 Nabonidus

00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:52.259
 had yet

00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:53.160
 to understand

00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:53.680
 that while

00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:54.580
 he was a ruler,

00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:55.840
 his rule

00:25:55.840 --> 00:25:56.460
 was subject

00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:57.319
 to the King

00:25:57.319 --> 00:25:57.940
 of Kings

00:25:57.940 --> 00:25:59.100
 and the Lord

00:25:59.100 --> 00:25:59.559
 of Lords.

00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:00.899
 he did not

00:26:00.899 --> 00:26:01.399
 know

00:26:01.399 --> 00:26:02.859
 the Most High

00:26:02.859 --> 00:26:03.460
 God

00:26:03.460 --> 00:26:04.159
 and he did not

00:26:04.159 --> 00:26:04.460
 know

00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:05.139
 of his

00:26:05.139 --> 00:26:06.000
 absolute

00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:07.440
 reign.

00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:08.599
 He was

00:26:08.599 --> 00:26:09.619
 very

00:26:09.619 --> 00:26:10.819
 proud.

00:26:11.619 --> 00:26:11.859
 Recall

00:26:11.859 --> 00:26:12.879
 verses 29

00:26:12.879 --> 00:26:14.619
 and 30.

00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:15.240
 At the end

00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:16.740
 of 12 months

00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:17.460
 he was walking

00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:18.139
 on the roof

00:26:18.139 --> 00:26:19.200
 of the royal palace

00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:19.679
 of Babylon

00:26:19.679 --> 00:26:21.019
 and the king

00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:22.039
 answered and said,

00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:22.980
 is not this

00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:23.839
 great Babylon

00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:24.919
 which I have built

00:26:24.919 --> 00:26:26.139
 by my mighty power

00:26:26.139 --> 00:26:27.559
 and as a royal residence

00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:28.419
 and for the glory

00:26:28.420 --> 00:26:30.259
 of my majesty.

00:26:31.120 --> 00:26:32.660
 So a full

00:26:32.660 --> 00:26:33.840
 year later,

00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:35.380
 maybe he even

00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:36.100
 tried to keep

00:26:36.100 --> 00:26:36.880
 the pride in check

00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:37.800
 for a little while

00:26:37.800 --> 00:26:39.120
 after Daniel's

00:26:39.120 --> 00:26:39.700
 interpretation,

00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:40.800
 but a full year later

00:26:40.800 --> 00:26:42.039
 he has this moment

00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:43.700
 of great pride.

00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:44.600
 Look at what

00:26:44.600 --> 00:26:46.120
 I have done.

00:26:46.620 --> 00:26:47.700
 Look at my

00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:48.360
 power.

00:26:48.640 --> 00:26:49.900
 Look at my

00:26:49.900 --> 00:26:51.220
 majesty.

00:26:52.640 --> 00:26:53.820
 We can't be sure

00:26:53.820 --> 00:26:55.000
 if anyone was with him

00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:56.039
 on the roof.

00:26:56.920 --> 00:26:57.460
 Perhaps

00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:58.380
 somebody was.

00:26:58.880 --> 00:26:59.779
 Whether he actually

00:26:59.779 --> 00:27:01.039
 said this out loud

00:27:01.039 --> 00:27:02.420
 or not,

00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:03.779
 but it makes

00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:04.820
 no difference

00:27:04.820 --> 00:27:05.539
 because this

00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:06.880
 was the posture

00:27:06.880 --> 00:27:07.720
 of his

00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.580
 heart.

00:27:09.080 --> 00:27:10.080
 He thought

00:27:10.080 --> 00:27:10.539
 that it was

00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:11.460
 by his might,

00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:12.279
 by his power,

00:27:12.360 --> 00:27:13.200
 by his majesty

00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:14.220
 that he had

00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:14.840
 accomplished

00:27:14.840 --> 00:27:15.880
 these

00:27:15.880 --> 00:27:17.080
 things.

00:27:17.860 --> 00:27:18.700
 You wouldn't

00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:19.340
 say or think

00:27:19.340 --> 00:27:19.840
 such a thing

00:27:19.840 --> 00:27:20.420
 if you did not

00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:21.019
 believe it

00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:22.800
 to be true.

00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:24.440
 Now it may be

00:27:24.440 --> 00:27:25.140
 easy for us

00:27:25.140 --> 00:27:25.820
 to not find

00:27:25.820 --> 00:27:26.880
 ourselves in the text

00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:27.880
 at this point.

00:27:28.700 --> 00:27:29.380
 None of us

00:27:29.380 --> 00:27:29.960
 are kings.

00:27:30.520 --> 00:27:31.140
 I'm quite sure

00:27:31.140 --> 00:27:31.540
 of that.

00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.760
 None of us

00:27:32.760 --> 00:27:33.180
 have built

00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:33.740
 a city.

00:27:34.640 --> 00:27:35.120
 I'm quite sure

00:27:35.120 --> 00:27:35.680
 a palace.

00:27:35.840 --> 00:27:36.500
 I'm quite sure

00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:37.440
 of that.

00:27:37.560 --> 00:27:38.180
 Some of our homes

00:27:38.180 --> 00:27:38.600
 are bigger than

00:27:38.600 --> 00:27:38.820
 others,

00:27:38.940 --> 00:27:39.820
 but no palaces.

00:27:39.820 --> 00:27:40.680
 I'm fairly

00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:41.100
 confident.

00:27:41.940 --> 00:27:42.780
 But we should be

00:27:42.780 --> 00:27:44.200
 so careful

00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:45.280
 at this point

00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:46.519
 because we

00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.200
 have all

00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:48.379
 been proud

00:27:48.379 --> 00:27:49.720
 like Nabonidus.

00:27:50.440 --> 00:27:51.019
 Every one

00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:51.399
 of us.

00:27:52.180 --> 00:27:52.779
 We have all

00:27:52.779 --> 00:27:53.460
 given ourselves

00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:54.379
 credit for

00:27:54.379 --> 00:27:55.279
 things that

00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:56.079
 the Lord

00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:57.200
 accomplished.

00:27:57.859 --> 00:27:58.819
 We have said

00:27:58.819 --> 00:27:59.740
 in our hearts,

00:28:00.639 --> 00:28:01.279
 many of us

00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:01.619
 have said

00:28:01.619 --> 00:28:02.359
 out loud,

00:28:02.899 --> 00:28:03.980
 look at my

00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.720
 accomplishments.

00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.279
 Look at the

00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:07.139
 game I won.

00:28:07.599 --> 00:28:08.000
 Look at the

00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:08.660
 grades I

00:28:08.660 --> 00:28:09.220
 achieved.

00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:10.039
 Look at the

00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:10.680
 house that I

00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:11.000
 built.

00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:12.019
 Look at the

00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:13.059
 promotion that I

00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:13.440
 earned.

00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.279
 Look at the

00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:15.779
 way I

00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:16.140
 look.

00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:17.880
 Look at the

00:28:17.880 --> 00:28:18.600
 sermon I

00:28:18.600 --> 00:28:19.320
 preach.

00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:20.700
 Look at my

00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:21.220
 power.

00:28:21.420 --> 00:28:22.660
 Look at my

00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:24.320
 majesty.

00:28:25.059 --> 00:28:26.160
 We have all

00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:26.920
 done this

00:28:26.920 --> 00:28:27.860
 in various

00:28:27.860 --> 00:28:28.380
 ways.

00:28:29.620 --> 00:28:30.059
 Be very

00:28:30.059 --> 00:28:30.759
 careful to

00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:31.420
 not be

00:28:31.420 --> 00:28:32.580
 dismissive of

00:28:32.580 --> 00:28:33.140
 these types

00:28:33.140 --> 00:28:33.740
 of attitudes

00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:35.220
 in your

00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:36.279
 heart.

00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:37.180
 The Lord

00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:37.820
 takes this

00:28:37.820 --> 00:28:38.559
 kind of thing

00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:39.580
 seriously.

00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:40.900
 In Proverbs

00:28:40.900 --> 00:28:42.019
 16, 5,

00:28:42.140 --> 00:28:42.539
 we read,

00:28:42.539 --> 00:28:43.220
 everyone who

00:28:43.220 --> 00:28:43.879
 is arrogant

00:28:43.879 --> 00:28:44.579
 in heart

00:28:44.579 --> 00:28:45.519
 is an

00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:46.079
 abomination

00:28:46.079 --> 00:28:46.779
 to the

00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:47.059
 Lord.

00:28:47.299 --> 00:28:48.339
 Be assured

00:28:48.339 --> 00:28:49.559
 he will

00:28:49.559 --> 00:28:50.399
 not go

00:28:50.399 --> 00:28:52.279
 unpunished.

00:28:53.359 --> 00:28:53.899
 This

00:28:53.899 --> 00:28:54.519
 attitude of

00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:54.980
 heart of

00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:55.559
 Nabonidus

00:28:55.559 --> 00:28:57.139
 was before

00:28:57.139 --> 00:28:58.279
 he was

00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:58.639
 humbled.

00:28:59.279 --> 00:28:59.559
 It was

00:28:59.559 --> 00:29:00.299
 before he

00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:01.500
 knew the

00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:01.859
 Lord.

00:29:02.639 --> 00:29:03.019
 In the

00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.500
 last part of

00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:04.039
 verse 32,

00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:04.819
 God tells

00:29:04.819 --> 00:29:05.399
 Nabonidus

00:29:05.399 --> 00:29:05.680
 that he

00:29:05.680 --> 00:29:06.200
 will punish

00:29:06.200 --> 00:29:07.159
 him until

00:29:07.159 --> 00:29:08.059
 you know

00:29:08.059 --> 00:29:08.799
 that the

00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:09.680
 Most High

00:29:09.680 --> 00:29:10.420
 rules the

00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:10.920
 kingdom of

00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:11.379
 men and

00:29:11.379 --> 00:29:12.119
 gives it to

00:29:12.119 --> 00:29:13.339
 whom he

00:29:13.339 --> 00:29:13.739
 will.

00:29:14.979 --> 00:29:15.659
 God in

00:29:15.659 --> 00:29:16.039
 his great

00:29:16.039 --> 00:29:16.739
 mercy does

00:29:16.739 --> 00:29:17.239
 something

00:29:17.239 --> 00:29:18.539
 severe to

00:29:18.539 --> 00:29:19.239
 Nabonidus so

00:29:19.239 --> 00:29:20.479
 that Nabonidus

00:29:20.479 --> 00:29:21.799
 will know

00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:22.059
 him.

00:29:22.500 --> 00:29:23.099
 He makes

00:29:23.099 --> 00:29:23.979
 him crazy,

00:29:24.159 --> 00:29:24.679
 drives him

00:29:24.679 --> 00:29:25.379
 mad for

00:29:25.379 --> 00:29:27.179
 seven periods,

00:29:27.299 --> 00:29:28.019
 I believe,

00:29:28.359 --> 00:29:28.839
 because of the

00:29:28.839 --> 00:29:29.500
 historical text,

00:29:29.959 --> 00:29:31.459
 seven years.

00:29:32.459 --> 00:29:32.979
 If you are

00:29:32.979 --> 00:29:33.639
 proud this

00:29:33.639 --> 00:29:33.939
 morning,

00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:35.000
 know that

00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:35.599
 God has the

00:29:35.599 --> 00:29:36.979
 power to

00:29:36.979 --> 00:29:37.379
 drive you

00:29:37.379 --> 00:29:37.719
 mad.

00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:38.359
 He could

00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:38.939
 turn you

00:29:38.940 --> 00:29:39.539
 into a

00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:41.340
 cow so

00:29:41.340 --> 00:29:42.759
 that you

00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:43.240
 might know

00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:43.519
 him.

00:29:44.360 --> 00:29:44.920
 And it's

00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:45.519
 very possible

00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:45.820
 that he

00:29:45.820 --> 00:29:46.500
 may just

00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:47.279
 do so,

00:29:47.380 --> 00:29:47.700
 but know

00:29:47.700 --> 00:29:49.759
 also that

00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:50.059
 he may

00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:50.820
 have brought

00:29:50.820 --> 00:29:51.120
 you to

00:29:51.120 --> 00:29:51.880
 church,

00:29:52.820 --> 00:29:53.600
 something much

00:29:53.600 --> 00:29:54.279
 more kind,

00:29:54.420 --> 00:29:54.759
 at least I

00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:55.240
 hope you

00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:55.940
 experience it

00:29:55.940 --> 00:29:57.220
 that way,

00:29:57.740 --> 00:29:58.440
 so that you

00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:59.440
 can hear about

00:29:59.440 --> 00:29:59.960
 the madness

00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:00.740
 of Nabonidus,

00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:01.640
 that you will

00:30:01.640 --> 00:30:02.759
 see your own

00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:03.539
 pride and that

00:30:03.539 --> 00:30:04.100
 you will throw

00:30:04.100 --> 00:30:05.200
 yourself on the

00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:07.039
 mercy of God

00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:07.940
 as found in

00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:08.420
 the person and

00:30:08.420 --> 00:30:09.539
 work of

00:30:09.539 --> 00:30:10.180
 Jesus Christ.

00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:12.619
 Don't be so

00:30:12.619 --> 00:30:14.299
 proud that

00:30:14.299 --> 00:30:14.899
 God has to

00:30:14.899 --> 00:30:16.079
 drive you mad

00:30:16.079 --> 00:30:16.819
 to bring you

00:30:16.819 --> 00:30:18.200
 to him.

00:30:18.579 --> 00:30:19.159
 Know that he

00:30:19.159 --> 00:30:19.980
 may already

00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:20.920
 be at work

00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:21.639
 in your heart

00:30:21.639 --> 00:30:22.720
 even now to

00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:23.879
 bring you to

00:30:23.879 --> 00:30:24.920
 humility that

00:30:24.920 --> 00:30:25.480
 you might know

00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:25.700
 him.

00:30:26.339 --> 00:30:27.159
 God in his

00:30:27.159 --> 00:30:28.079
 great mercy

00:30:28.079 --> 00:30:29.700
 did something

00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:30.740
 severe to

00:30:30.740 --> 00:30:31.539
 Jesus Christ

00:30:31.539 --> 00:30:32.779
 by punishing

00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:33.559
 him on the

00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:34.659
 cross so

00:30:34.659 --> 00:30:35.779
 that we can

00:30:35.779 --> 00:30:36.200
 know him,

00:30:36.259 --> 00:30:36.500
 so that we

00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:37.079
 to be brought

00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:37.700
 to God

00:30:37.700 --> 00:30:39.380
 in Christ.

00:30:40.200 --> 00:30:40.400
 And be

00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:40.720
 assured,

00:30:40.819 --> 00:30:41.200
 if you are

00:30:41.200 --> 00:30:41.799
 not humble

00:30:41.799 --> 00:30:42.180
 now,

00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.880
 you will

00:30:42.880 --> 00:30:44.079
 one day

00:30:44.079 --> 00:30:46.099
 be humbled.

00:30:47.119 --> 00:30:47.539
 Jesus,

00:30:47.680 --> 00:30:48.180
 in speaking of

00:30:48.180 --> 00:30:48.500
 the final

00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:49.099
 judgment in

00:30:49.099 --> 00:30:49.740
 Matthew chapter

00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:50.440
 23,

00:30:50.700 --> 00:30:50.940
 says,

00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:51.980
 whoever exalts

00:30:51.980 --> 00:30:53.460
 himself will

00:30:53.460 --> 00:30:53.980
 be humbled,

00:30:54.180 --> 00:30:54.579
 and whoever

00:30:54.579 --> 00:30:55.720
 humbles himself

00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:56.980
 will be

00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:57.420
 exalted.

00:30:58.819 --> 00:30:59.339
 Beloved,

00:30:59.359 --> 00:30:59.779
 those of us

00:30:59.779 --> 00:31:00.440
 who know the

00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:01.359
 Lord have all

00:31:01.359 --> 00:31:01.980
 the more reason

00:31:01.980 --> 00:31:03.420
 to not be

00:31:03.420 --> 00:31:03.700
 proud.

00:31:04.640 --> 00:31:05.460
 All the more.

00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:06.259
 we can't

00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:07.079
 hardly blame

00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:08.220
 Nabonidus for

00:31:08.220 --> 00:31:09.220
 being proud.

00:31:09.319 --> 00:31:09.759
 He didn't

00:31:09.759 --> 00:31:10.460
 know the

00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:10.700
 Lord.

00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:11.220
 He didn't

00:31:11.220 --> 00:31:12.860
 understand God's

00:31:12.860 --> 00:31:14.220
 majesty,

00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:16.039
 but we do.

00:31:17.039 --> 00:31:17.759
 If we are ever

00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:18.519
 proud, it is

00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:19.100
 because we have

00:31:19.100 --> 00:31:20.180
 forgotten who we

00:31:20.180 --> 00:31:21.480
 once were and

00:31:21.480 --> 00:31:23.380
 what we deserved.

00:31:23.640 --> 00:31:24.759
 I ask my boys

00:31:24.759 --> 00:31:26.000
 quite often,

00:31:26.460 --> 00:31:27.120
 what do you

00:31:27.120 --> 00:31:27.680
 deserve?

00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:28.539
 And the answer

00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:30.299
 is death and

00:31:30.299 --> 00:31:30.500
 hell.

00:31:31.160 --> 00:31:32.079
 That's the answer.

00:31:32.460 --> 00:31:32.900
 We should make

00:31:32.900 --> 00:31:33.420
 us so very

00:31:33.420 --> 00:31:34.900
 thankful for

00:31:34.900 --> 00:31:36.200
 the burned

00:31:36.200 --> 00:31:36.840
 grilled cheese.

00:31:37.160 --> 00:31:37.259
 Right?

00:31:37.560 --> 00:31:38.000
 Praise the

00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:38.220
 Lord.

00:31:38.460 --> 00:31:39.019
 This is not

00:31:39.019 --> 00:31:39.380
 death and

00:31:39.380 --> 00:31:39.540
 hell.

00:31:39.920 --> 00:31:40.280
 It's just

00:31:40.280 --> 00:31:40.840
 slightly burned

00:31:40.840 --> 00:31:41.440
 grilled cheese.

00:31:42.120 --> 00:31:42.960
 We have to

00:31:42.960 --> 00:31:43.259
 have a

00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:44.720
 perspective to

00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:45.360
 understand.

00:31:45.620 --> 00:31:46.060
 When we are

00:31:46.060 --> 00:31:46.519
 proud, we

00:31:46.519 --> 00:31:47.300
 have forgotten

00:31:47.300 --> 00:31:48.700
 who we once

00:31:48.700 --> 00:31:49.560
 were and what

00:31:49.560 --> 00:31:50.860
 we deserve.

00:31:51.200 --> 00:31:51.560
 We have

00:31:51.560 --> 00:31:52.120
 forgotten that

00:31:52.120 --> 00:31:52.740
 we were wretched

00:31:52.740 --> 00:31:53.580
 rebels and that

00:31:53.580 --> 00:31:53.980
 it would be

00:31:53.980 --> 00:31:55.040
 just, it would

00:31:55.040 --> 00:31:56.100
 be right for

00:31:56.100 --> 00:31:56.940
 God to punish

00:31:56.940 --> 00:31:58.700
 us forever.

00:31:58.700 --> 00:32:00.559
 If we are

00:32:00.559 --> 00:32:01.259
 ever proud,

00:32:01.559 --> 00:32:02.759
 beloved, we

00:32:02.759 --> 00:32:03.920
 should only be

00:32:03.920 --> 00:32:05.360
 proud in our

00:32:05.360 --> 00:32:05.600
 God.

00:32:06.100 --> 00:32:06.759
 This is the

00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:07.200
 place of

00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:08.059
 boasting for

00:32:08.059 --> 00:32:09.360
 the Christian.

00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:10.660
 Listen to

00:32:10.660 --> 00:32:11.299
 Jeremiah chapter

00:32:11.299 --> 00:32:12.519
 9 verse 23

00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:13.100
 and following.

00:32:13.600 --> 00:32:14.440
 Thus says the

00:32:14.440 --> 00:32:15.940
 Lord, let not

00:32:15.940 --> 00:32:16.680
 the wise man

00:32:16.680 --> 00:32:17.779
 boast in his

00:32:17.779 --> 00:32:18.200
 wisdom.

00:32:18.779 --> 00:32:19.380
 Let not the

00:32:19.380 --> 00:32:20.019
 mighty man

00:32:20.019 --> 00:32:21.000
 boast in his

00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:21.480
 might.

00:32:22.039 --> 00:32:22.600
 Let not the

00:32:22.600 --> 00:32:23.140
 rich man

00:32:23.140 --> 00:32:24.299
 boast in his

00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:24.819
 riches.

00:32:25.539 --> 00:32:26.340
 But let him

00:32:26.340 --> 00:32:27.059
 who boasts

00:32:27.059 --> 00:32:28.299
 boast in

00:32:28.299 --> 00:32:28.740
 this.

00:32:29.259 --> 00:32:29.819
 This is so

00:32:29.819 --> 00:32:30.079
 good.

00:32:30.960 --> 00:32:31.319
 That he

00:32:31.319 --> 00:32:33.200
 understands and

00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:33.879
 knows me.

00:32:34.599 --> 00:32:35.399
 That I am the

00:32:35.399 --> 00:32:35.879
 Lord who

00:32:35.879 --> 00:32:37.500
 practices steadfast

00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:38.720
 love, justice,

00:32:38.980 --> 00:32:39.519
 and righteousness

00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:40.240
 in the earth.

00:32:40.879 --> 00:32:42.000
 For in these

00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:43.079
 things I

00:32:43.079 --> 00:32:44.559
 delight, declares

00:32:44.559 --> 00:32:45.879
 the Lord.

00:32:46.279 --> 00:32:46.740
 And I think you

00:32:46.740 --> 00:32:47.339
 could track that

00:32:47.339 --> 00:32:47.779
 backwards.

00:32:47.940 --> 00:32:49.039
 God delights in

00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:51.619
 being steadfast in

00:32:51.619 --> 00:32:53.240
 his love, his

00:32:53.240 --> 00:32:55.019
 justice, and his

00:32:55.019 --> 00:32:55.440
 righteousness.

00:32:56.019 --> 00:32:56.119
 Right?

00:32:56.200 --> 00:32:57.000
 And it's that that

00:32:57.000 --> 00:32:57.899
 we're supposed to

00:32:57.900 --> 00:32:59.300
 understand and

00:32:59.300 --> 00:33:00.019
 to know.

00:33:00.220 --> 00:33:01.740
 This is the

00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:02.759
 reason for our

00:33:02.759 --> 00:33:03.640
 boasting and

00:33:03.640 --> 00:33:05.920
 nothing else.

00:33:06.759 --> 00:33:07.660
 So that's the

00:33:07.660 --> 00:33:09.240
 prideful rise of

00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:10.560
 Nabonidus.

00:33:10.900 --> 00:33:11.480
 We also can

00:33:11.480 --> 00:33:12.040
 observe the

00:33:12.040 --> 00:33:13.540
 humbling fall of

00:33:13.540 --> 00:33:14.680
 Nabonidus.

00:33:15.220 --> 00:33:16.400
 Nabonidus loses

00:33:16.400 --> 00:33:18.400
 his mind.

00:33:18.680 --> 00:33:18.800
 Right?

00:33:19.120 --> 00:33:19.920
 And note, it's

00:33:19.920 --> 00:33:20.560
 important for us to

00:33:20.560 --> 00:33:21.620
 see that God is

00:33:21.620 --> 00:33:23.120
 sovereign even over

00:33:23.120 --> 00:33:25.240
 the mind of man.

00:33:25.240 --> 00:33:26.240
 Nabonidus.

00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:26.839
 The first part of

00:33:26.839 --> 00:33:27.700
 verse 34, at the

00:33:27.700 --> 00:33:29.660
 end of the days, I

00:33:29.660 --> 00:33:31.559
 Nebuchadnezzar lifted

00:33:31.559 --> 00:33:34.339
 my eyes to heaven and

00:33:34.339 --> 00:33:36.759
 my reason returned to

00:33:36.759 --> 00:33:37.079
 me.

00:33:37.880 --> 00:33:38.940
 That is to say, he

00:33:38.940 --> 00:33:40.140
 was able to think

00:33:40.140 --> 00:33:40.740
 rightly.

00:33:41.420 --> 00:33:42.299
 And what is it that

00:33:42.299 --> 00:33:42.700
 he thinks?

00:33:42.779 --> 00:33:43.480
 What is it that he

00:33:43.480 --> 00:33:44.859
 now knows that he's

00:33:44.859 --> 00:33:46.579
 able to think rightly?

00:33:46.779 --> 00:33:47.799
 He says in the rest of

00:33:47.799 --> 00:33:49.839
 verse 34 and

00:33:49.839 --> 00:33:51.000
 following, and I

00:33:51.000 --> 00:33:52.099
 blessed the Most

00:33:52.099 --> 00:33:53.759
 High and praised

00:33:53.759 --> 00:33:54.579
 and honored him

00:33:54.579 --> 00:33:55.900
 who lives forever.

00:33:56.700 --> 00:33:57.680
 For his dominion is

00:33:57.680 --> 00:33:58.220
 an everlasting

00:33:58.220 --> 00:33:59.140
 dominion and his

00:33:59.140 --> 00:34:00.180
 kingdom endures from

00:34:00.180 --> 00:34:00.960
 generation to

00:34:00.960 --> 00:34:01.460
 generation.

00:34:02.200 --> 00:34:03.279
 All the inhabitants

00:34:03.279 --> 00:34:04.440
 of the earth are

00:34:04.440 --> 00:34:05.319
 accounted as

00:34:05.319 --> 00:34:05.900
 nothing.

00:34:06.440 --> 00:34:06.940
 And he does

00:34:06.940 --> 00:34:07.680
 according to his

00:34:07.680 --> 00:34:08.280
 will among the

00:34:08.280 --> 00:34:09.000
 hosts of heaven and

00:34:09.000 --> 00:34:09.760
 among the inhabitants

00:34:09.760 --> 00:34:10.400
 of the earth.

00:34:10.599 --> 00:34:12.179
 And none can stay

00:34:12.179 --> 00:34:13.260
 his hand or stop

00:34:13.260 --> 00:34:14.099
 what he's doing and

00:34:14.099 --> 00:34:15.840
 say to him, what

00:34:15.840 --> 00:34:17.300
 have you done?

00:34:17.300 --> 00:34:19.260
 What does

00:34:19.260 --> 00:34:21.080
 Nabonidus now know

00:34:21.080 --> 00:34:21.700
 rightly?

00:34:22.260 --> 00:34:23.700
 That God is worthy

00:34:23.700 --> 00:34:25.340
 of praise and honor

00:34:25.340 --> 00:34:26.539
 and not man.

00:34:27.260 --> 00:34:28.920
 That God is absolute

00:34:28.920 --> 00:34:31.100
 and forever the ruler

00:34:31.100 --> 00:34:33.300
 and not man.

00:34:34.140 --> 00:34:35.539
 That man is nothing

00:34:35.539 --> 00:34:37.500
 in comparison and is

00:34:37.500 --> 00:34:40.100
 subject to God's reign.

00:34:41.019 --> 00:34:42.380
 That God's sovereignty

00:34:42.380 --> 00:34:44.600
 is immovable.

00:34:45.280 --> 00:34:46.240
 And that man doesn't

00:34:46.240 --> 00:34:47.200
 even have the right

00:34:47.199 --> 00:34:48.699
 to question God's

00:34:48.699 --> 00:34:50.000
 rule.

00:34:50.960 --> 00:34:52.579
 What humility.

00:34:53.480 --> 00:34:54.699
 What an expression

00:34:54.699 --> 00:34:55.679
 of humility.

00:34:56.779 --> 00:34:59.059
 I wonder, are our

00:34:59.059 --> 00:35:00.639
 hearts marked with

00:35:00.639 --> 00:35:02.460
 this measure of

00:35:02.460 --> 00:35:02.819
 humility?

00:35:04.159 --> 00:35:05.000
 Nabonidus has been

00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:06.079
 driven mad.

00:35:06.639 --> 00:35:06.779
 Right?

00:35:07.239 --> 00:35:09.159
 He spent seven years.

00:35:09.259 --> 00:35:10.119
 He doesn't even seem

00:35:10.119 --> 00:35:11.319
 like he's recognizable

00:35:11.319 --> 00:35:12.839
 any longer.

00:35:13.179 --> 00:35:13.299
 Right?

00:35:13.480 --> 00:35:14.559
 He ate grass.

00:35:14.879 --> 00:35:15.500
 Just think about it.

00:35:15.539 --> 00:35:16.599
 For seven years he

00:35:16.599 --> 00:35:17.420
 lived outside and he

00:35:17.420 --> 00:35:19.199
 ate grass like an

00:35:19.199 --> 00:35:19.980
 ox.

00:35:21.239 --> 00:35:22.299
 But he does not

00:35:22.299 --> 00:35:23.639
 ask of God.

00:35:23.759 --> 00:35:24.739
 He's not concerned

00:35:24.739 --> 00:35:26.099
 about the quote

00:35:26.099 --> 00:35:27.559
 unquote wasted

00:35:27.559 --> 00:35:29.420
 years of his life.

00:35:30.039 --> 00:35:31.339
 He does not question

00:35:31.339 --> 00:35:32.339
 whether or not this

00:35:32.339 --> 00:35:33.219
 lesson could have been

00:35:33.219 --> 00:35:34.119
 learned in another

00:35:34.119 --> 00:35:35.019
 way.

00:35:35.880 --> 00:35:37.400
 He does not question

00:35:37.400 --> 00:35:39.339
 God's control or

00:35:39.339 --> 00:35:41.519
 God's goodness.

00:35:41.519 --> 00:35:41.719
 goodness.

00:35:42.980 --> 00:35:44.019
 And I just have to

00:35:44.019 --> 00:35:45.320
 confess, I think I

00:35:45.320 --> 00:35:45.860
 would have.

00:35:46.759 --> 00:35:47.380
 Really, Lord?

00:35:47.480 --> 00:35:48.219
 Seven years?

00:35:48.300 --> 00:35:49.039
 It took that?

00:35:49.259 --> 00:35:50.219
 It took me being

00:35:50.219 --> 00:35:51.699
 insane for this long

00:35:51.699 --> 00:35:52.500
 for you to teach me

00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:54.039
 this lesson?

00:35:55.239 --> 00:35:56.320
 Nabonidus accepts it.

00:35:56.400 --> 00:35:57.440
 Apparently it does

00:35:57.440 --> 00:35:58.719
 take this long to teach

00:35:58.719 --> 00:36:01.139
 me this lesson.

00:36:01.139 --> 00:36:02.840
 It does not question

00:36:02.840 --> 00:36:05.000
 God's control or his

00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:05.380
 goodness.

00:36:05.380 --> 00:36:07.400
 Listen to the final

00:36:07.400 --> 00:36:09.059
 verse of the chapter.

00:36:09.160 --> 00:36:10.480
 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar,

00:36:11.059 --> 00:36:12.840
 praise and extol and

00:36:12.840 --> 00:36:14.579
 honor the King of

00:36:14.579 --> 00:36:14.880
 Heaven.

00:36:15.559 --> 00:36:17.480
 For all his works

00:36:17.480 --> 00:36:18.980
 are right.

00:36:19.640 --> 00:36:20.880
 And his ways

00:36:20.880 --> 00:36:22.599
 are just.

00:36:23.260 --> 00:36:24.660
 And those who walk

00:36:24.660 --> 00:36:26.039
 in pride, he is

00:36:26.039 --> 00:36:27.880
 able to

00:36:27.880 --> 00:36:28.160
 humble.

00:36:29.160 --> 00:36:29.960
 He praises him

00:36:29.960 --> 00:36:31.420
 because he's good

00:36:31.420 --> 00:36:33.300
 and he's just

00:36:33.300 --> 00:36:34.340
 and he's in

00:36:34.340 --> 00:36:34.940
 control

00:36:34.940 --> 00:36:36.880
 and because

00:36:36.880 --> 00:36:37.900
 he humbled

00:36:37.900 --> 00:36:39.440
 Nabonidus.

00:36:40.940 --> 00:36:41.960
 And then we see a

00:36:41.960 --> 00:36:43.079
 restoration, thirdly.

00:36:43.699 --> 00:36:45.139
 The humbling rise

00:36:45.139 --> 00:36:45.619
 of

00:36:45.619 --> 00:36:47.240
 Nabonidus.

00:36:47.300 --> 00:36:47.880
 So now that he's

00:36:47.880 --> 00:36:48.940
 humble, God

00:36:48.940 --> 00:36:50.280
 gives back to him

00:36:50.280 --> 00:36:51.599
 the kingdom.

00:36:51.760 --> 00:36:52.559
 It's a worthy

00:36:52.559 --> 00:36:53.380
 note that God

00:36:53.380 --> 00:36:54.480
 is good to

00:36:54.480 --> 00:36:55.619
 his word.

00:36:55.720 --> 00:36:56.300
 It's what he saw

00:36:56.300 --> 00:36:56.980
 in the dreams.

00:36:57.039 --> 00:36:57.460
 What the Holy

00:36:57.460 --> 00:36:58.320
 One told him

00:36:58.320 --> 00:36:59.720
 would happen.

00:36:59.719 --> 00:37:01.059
 So upon his

00:37:01.059 --> 00:37:02.419
 humbling, his

00:37:02.419 --> 00:37:04.039
 kingdom is

00:37:04.039 --> 00:37:04.500
 restored.

00:37:04.619 --> 00:37:05.439
 Verse 36 says,

00:37:05.539 --> 00:37:06.459
 at the same time

00:37:06.459 --> 00:37:07.259
 my reason returned

00:37:07.259 --> 00:37:08.039
 to me and for

00:37:08.039 --> 00:37:08.839
 the glory of my

00:37:08.839 --> 00:37:09.959
 kingdom, my

00:37:09.959 --> 00:37:10.839
 majesty and

00:37:10.839 --> 00:37:12.379
 splendor returned

00:37:12.379 --> 00:37:13.379
 to me.

00:37:13.679 --> 00:37:14.459
 He even says

00:37:14.459 --> 00:37:15.219
 that more

00:37:15.219 --> 00:37:16.480
 greatness was

00:37:16.480 --> 00:37:18.239
 added to

00:37:18.239 --> 00:37:18.539
 him.

00:37:19.559 --> 00:37:20.399
 Now, we

00:37:20.399 --> 00:37:20.839
 live in a

00:37:20.839 --> 00:37:21.559
 different economy

00:37:21.559 --> 00:37:22.459
 of God's

00:37:22.459 --> 00:37:23.079
 grace.

00:37:24.199 --> 00:37:24.879
 Largely the

00:37:24.879 --> 00:37:25.299
 way that we

00:37:25.299 --> 00:37:25.679
 are blessed

00:37:25.679 --> 00:37:26.599
 now in Christ

00:37:26.599 --> 00:37:27.139
 is through

00:37:27.139 --> 00:37:28.379
 spiritual matters.

00:37:28.559 --> 00:37:28.919
 We are looking

00:37:28.920 --> 00:37:29.500
 to a heavenly

00:37:29.500 --> 00:37:30.059
 reward.

00:37:30.760 --> 00:37:31.760
 In these days,

00:37:31.880 --> 00:37:32.480
 often the way

00:37:32.480 --> 00:37:33.000
 God blessed

00:37:33.000 --> 00:37:33.539
 his people

00:37:33.539 --> 00:37:34.260
 and others

00:37:34.260 --> 00:37:34.639
 is that he

00:37:34.639 --> 00:37:35.139
 gave them

00:37:35.139 --> 00:37:36.000
 dominion.

00:37:36.079 --> 00:37:36.400
 He gave

00:37:36.400 --> 00:37:37.079
 them possession.

00:37:37.579 --> 00:37:38.920
 He showed

00:37:38.920 --> 00:37:39.680
 that he was

00:37:39.680 --> 00:37:40.360
 for them

00:37:40.360 --> 00:37:41.059
 in the things

00:37:41.059 --> 00:37:42.260
 that they had

00:37:42.260 --> 00:37:42.559
 and we should

00:37:42.559 --> 00:37:42.960
 be careful

00:37:42.960 --> 00:37:43.220
 that we

00:37:43.220 --> 00:37:43.599
 don't learn

00:37:43.599 --> 00:37:44.320
 that lesson

00:37:44.320 --> 00:37:46.019
 from Nabonidus.

00:37:46.619 --> 00:37:47.619
 Remember Jesus

00:37:47.619 --> 00:37:48.260
 again, Matthew

00:37:48.260 --> 00:37:49.139
 23 and

00:37:49.139 --> 00:37:50.800
 verse 12.

00:37:51.200 --> 00:37:51.880
 Speaking of

00:37:51.880 --> 00:37:52.539
 final judgment,

00:37:52.659 --> 00:37:53.119
 he says,

00:37:53.260 --> 00:37:54.039
 whoever exalts

00:37:54.039 --> 00:37:54.980
 himself will

00:37:54.980 --> 00:37:56.420
 be humbled

00:37:56.420 --> 00:37:57.320
 and whoever

00:37:57.320 --> 00:37:58.219
 humbles himself

00:37:58.219 --> 00:37:59.659
 will be

00:37:59.659 --> 00:38:00.719
 exalted.

00:38:00.840 --> 00:38:01.300
 He's talking

00:38:01.300 --> 00:38:02.440
 about future

00:38:02.440 --> 00:38:03.579
 glory.

00:38:03.940 --> 00:38:04.619
 The last

00:38:04.619 --> 00:38:05.500
 will be

00:38:05.500 --> 00:38:06.619
 first and

00:38:06.619 --> 00:38:07.159
 the first

00:38:07.159 --> 00:38:08.539
 will be

00:38:08.539 --> 00:38:08.960
 last.

00:38:09.820 --> 00:38:10.900
 I hope

00:38:10.900 --> 00:38:11.199
 that you'll

00:38:11.199 --> 00:38:11.619
 join with

00:38:11.619 --> 00:38:12.079
 me in

00:38:12.079 --> 00:38:12.900
 desiring to

00:38:12.900 --> 00:38:13.460
 be the

00:38:13.460 --> 00:38:14.059
 last so

00:38:14.059 --> 00:38:14.519
 that someday

00:38:14.519 --> 00:38:15.820
 I can be

00:38:15.820 --> 00:38:16.920
 the first

00:38:16.920 --> 00:38:17.599
 so that I

00:38:17.599 --> 00:38:18.099
 will have

00:38:18.099 --> 00:38:20.039
 exaltation

00:38:20.039 --> 00:38:20.900
 even as I

00:38:20.900 --> 00:38:22.320
 have humility

00:38:22.320 --> 00:38:23.340
 here.

00:38:24.400 --> 00:38:24.820
 And we

00:38:24.820 --> 00:38:25.519
 don't really

00:38:25.519 --> 00:38:25.840
 need to

00:38:25.840 --> 00:38:26.240
 look to

00:38:26.240 --> 00:38:26.580
 the life

00:38:26.580 --> 00:38:26.980
 of

00:38:26.980 --> 00:38:27.700
 Nabonidus

00:38:27.700 --> 00:38:27.900
 or

00:38:27.900 --> 00:38:28.900
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:38:28.900 --> 00:38:29.180
 if you

00:38:29.180 --> 00:38:29.420
 prefer.

00:38:30.460 --> 00:38:31.220
 We have

00:38:31.220 --> 00:38:31.740
 in the

00:38:31.740 --> 00:38:32.340
 Lord Jesus

00:38:32.340 --> 00:38:32.820
 Christ

00:38:32.820 --> 00:38:33.680
 the greatest

00:38:33.680 --> 00:38:34.640
 example

00:38:34.640 --> 00:38:35.780
 of humility.

00:38:36.300 --> 00:38:36.519
 And so

00:38:36.519 --> 00:38:37.400
 I'll close

00:38:37.400 --> 00:38:37.780
 with a reading

00:38:37.780 --> 00:38:38.519
 from Philippians

00:38:38.519 --> 00:38:39.900
 chapter 2.

00:38:40.300 --> 00:38:40.660
 This is

00:38:40.660 --> 00:38:41.059
 verse 3

00:38:41.059 --> 00:38:41.519
 and following.

00:38:42.600 --> 00:38:43.180
 Do nothing

00:38:43.180 --> 00:38:44.480
 from selfish

00:38:44.480 --> 00:38:45.000
 ambition

00:38:45.000 --> 00:38:46.640
 or conceit

00:38:46.640 --> 00:38:47.720
 but in

00:38:47.720 --> 00:38:48.300
 humility

00:38:48.300 --> 00:38:49.260
 count others

00:38:49.260 --> 00:38:50.080
 more significant

00:38:50.080 --> 00:38:51.500
 than yourselves.

00:38:52.320 --> 00:38:52.960
 Let each

00:38:52.960 --> 00:38:53.140
 of you

00:38:53.140 --> 00:38:53.580
 look not

00:38:53.580 --> 00:38:54.039
 only to

00:38:54.039 --> 00:38:54.360
 his own

00:38:54.360 --> 00:38:54.680
 interests

00:38:54.680 --> 00:38:55.320
 but also

00:38:55.320 --> 00:38:55.660
 to the

00:38:55.660 --> 00:38:56.059
 interests

00:38:56.059 --> 00:38:57.360
 of others.

00:38:58.140 --> 00:38:58.760
 Have this

00:38:58.760 --> 00:38:59.720
 mind among

00:38:59.720 --> 00:39:00.320
 yourself

00:39:00.320 --> 00:39:01.260
 which is

00:39:01.260 --> 00:39:01.700
 yours

00:39:01.700 --> 00:39:02.700
 in Christ

00:39:02.700 --> 00:39:03.200
 Jesus

00:39:03.200 --> 00:39:04.160
 who

00:39:04.160 --> 00:39:05.420
 though he

00:39:05.420 --> 00:39:05.740
 was in

00:39:05.740 --> 00:39:06.160
 the form

00:39:06.160 --> 00:39:06.640
 of God

00:39:06.640 --> 00:39:07.019
 did not

00:39:07.019 --> 00:39:07.360
 count

00:39:07.360 --> 00:39:07.940
 equality

00:39:07.940 --> 00:39:08.460
 with God

00:39:08.460 --> 00:39:08.940
 a thing

00:39:08.940 --> 00:39:09.559
 to be

00:39:09.559 --> 00:39:10.180
 grasped

00:39:10.180 --> 00:39:11.260
 but emptied

00:39:11.260 --> 00:39:11.660
 himself

00:39:11.660 --> 00:39:12.780
 by taking

00:39:12.780 --> 00:39:13.360
 the form

00:39:13.360 --> 00:39:13.960
 of a servant

00:39:13.960 --> 00:39:14.720
 being born

00:39:14.720 --> 00:39:15.320
 in the likeness

00:39:15.320 --> 00:39:15.740
 of men

00:39:15.740 --> 00:39:16.660
 and being

00:39:16.660 --> 00:39:17.460
 found in

00:39:17.460 --> 00:39:18.080
 human form

00:39:18.080 --> 00:39:19.080
 he humbled

00:39:19.080 --> 00:39:19.500
 himself

00:39:19.500 --> 00:39:20.059
 by becoming

00:39:20.059 --> 00:39:20.740
 obedient to

00:39:20.740 --> 00:39:21.059
 the point

00:39:21.059 --> 00:39:21.519
 of death

00:39:21.519 --> 00:39:22.619
 even death

00:39:22.619 --> 00:39:24.000
 on a cross

00:39:24.000 --> 00:39:25.300
 therefore

00:39:25.300 --> 00:39:26.179
 God has

00:39:26.179 --> 00:39:26.900
 highly exalted

00:39:26.900 --> 00:39:27.519
 him and bestowed

00:39:27.519 --> 00:39:28.219
 on him the name

00:39:28.219 --> 00:39:28.780
 that is above

00:39:28.780 --> 00:39:29.480
 every name

00:39:29.480 --> 00:39:30.719
 so that the name

00:39:30.719 --> 00:39:31.119
 of Jesus

00:39:31.119 --> 00:39:31.659
 every knee

00:39:31.659 --> 00:39:32.119
 should bow

00:39:32.119 --> 00:39:32.500
 in heaven

00:39:32.500 --> 00:39:33.019
 on earth

00:39:33.019 --> 00:39:33.539
 and under

00:39:33.539 --> 00:39:34.000
 the earth

00:39:34.000 --> 00:39:34.800
 and every

00:39:34.800 --> 00:39:35.079
 tongue

00:39:35.079 --> 00:39:35.780
 confess that

00:39:35.780 --> 00:39:36.440
 Jesus Christ

00:39:36.440 --> 00:39:37.139
 is Lord

00:39:37.139 --> 00:39:37.940
 to the glory

00:39:37.940 --> 00:39:39.019
 of God

00:39:39.019 --> 00:39:40.139
 the Father

00:39:40.139 --> 00:39:41.119
 let's pray

00:39:41.119 --> 00:39:41.440
 together

00:39:41.440 --> 00:39:41.880
 God

00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


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00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880


00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:41.880