and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.”
Introduction
Daniel 4 records one of the most striking lessons concerning pride, humility, divine sovereignty, and the authority of God.
Nebuchadnezzar was the powerful king of Babylon. He possessed wealth, authority, military strength, and an impressive kingdom. Yet none of these things placed him beyond the authority of God.
God warned Nebuchadnezzar through a troubling dream. Daniel interpreted the dream and warned the king to turn from his sins. Nevertheless, Nebuchadnezzar continued to glory in his own accomplishments.
Eventually, the judgment God had announced came upon him.
By the end of the chapter, however, Nebuchadnezzar's language had dramatically changed. Instead of praising himself and his kingdom, he praised “the King of heaven.”
Daniel 4:37 therefore presents a powerful biblical truth:
God is able to humble those who exalt themselves.
Historical Background
Nebuchadnezzar II ruled the Neo-Babylonian Empire during the sixth century B.C. Babylon became a major imperial center under his reign.
Earlier in Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar had witnessed extraordinary demonstrations of God's power.
In Daniel 2, God revealed the king's dream and its interpretation through Daniel.
In Daniel 3, Nebuchadnezzar witnessed the miraculous deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace.
Yet Daniel 4 shows that witnessing God's power does not automatically produce a humble heart.
Nebuchadnezzar received another dream. He saw an enormous tree whose height reached toward heaven and whose branches provided food and shelter for many.
But a watcher from heaven commanded that the tree be cut down.
Daniel explained that the tree represented Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel 4:22
“It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.”
The king had become great, but he needed to understand that his greatness existed under the sovereignty of God.
Daniel warned him:
Daniel 4:27
“Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor…”
Yet twelve months later Nebuchadnezzar looked upon Babylon and said:
Daniel 4:30
“Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?”
Notice the emphasis:
I have built.
My power.
My majesty.
The king attributed his greatness to himself.
While the words were still in his mouth, judgment came.
God Humbles Nebuchadnezzar
Nebuchadnezzar was driven from men and experienced the judgment foretold in his dream.
But God's purpose was not merely to remove him from power. The judgment taught him something his position and accomplishments had prevented him from recognizing:
The Most High rules over the kingdoms of men.
Daniel 4 repeatedly emphasizes this truth.
Daniel 4:17
“…that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men…”
Nebuchadnezzar had to learn that earthly kings possess authority only beneath the supreme authority of God.
Eventually, his understanding returned.
Daniel 4:34
“And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me…”
This is a beautiful turning point.
Previously, Nebuchadnezzar had looked upon Babylon and praised himself.
Now he lifted his eyes toward heaven and praised God.
Exposition of Daniel 4:37
“Now I Nebuchadnezzar”
This statement is personal.
Nebuchadnezzar is speaking from experience. He had experienced both exaltation and humiliation.
He had learned that no human ruler is beyond God's authority.
There are truths we may understand intellectually, but sometimes circumstances expose whether those truths have reached our hearts.
“Praise and extol and honour”
Nebuchadnezzar uses three expressions of worship.
He praises God.
He extols God.
He honours God.
The man who previously spoke about his own majesty is now giving honor to God.
Pride seeks honor for self.
Humility recognizes that glory ultimately belongs to God.
“The King of heaven”
Nebuchadnezzar was a king, but he finally recognized that there was a King above him.
Earthly kingdoms rise and fall.
Human rulers come and go.
But God's authority is not temporary.
Psalm 103:19
“The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.”
Nebuchadnezzar ruled Babylon.
But God ruled Nebuchadnezzar.
“All whose works are truth”
God does not act deceitfully or unjustly.
His works agree with His character.
Nebuchadnezzar had received a warning concerning what would happen to him. When that judgment came, God's word proved true.
What God had declared came to pass.
“And his ways judgment”
God's judgments are righteous.
Nebuchadnezzar had been humbled, but by the end of the chapter he acknowledged the righteousness of God's dealings with him.
This is important.
He did not accuse God of injustice.
Instead, he praised Him.
God had dealt with the king's pride according to truth and judgment.
“Those that walk in pride”
Pride is more than confidence or recognizing one's abilities.
Biblical pride exalts self independently of God. It takes glory that belongs to God and places it upon oneself.
Nebuchadnezzar demonstrated this when he said:
“Is not this great Babylon, that I have built…”
He looked at what had been accomplished and saw only himself.
Pride says:
My ability.
My wisdom.
My accomplishments.
My power.
Humility recognizes:
Without God, I could do nothing.
“He is able to abase”
To abase means to bring low or humble.
Nebuchadnezzar had occupied one of the highest positions available to a man in his world, but God demonstrated that earthly position could not protect him from divine authority.
Scripture repeatedly warns against self-exaltation.
Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
Jesus later taught:
Matthew 23:12
“And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
Nebuchadnezzar became a living illustration of this principle.
Observations
God is sovereign over human authority. Nebuchadnezzar was powerful, but he was never more powerful than God.
God warns before judgment. Nebuchadnezzar received a dream, its interpretation, and Daniel's counsel before the judgment occurred.
Pride can cause us to forget the source of our blessings. Nebuchadnezzar looked at Babylon and credited himself.
Success can become spiritually dangerous when it produces self-exaltation. Achievement itself was not the central problem; the king's response to achievement revealed his pride.
God's Word will stand. What God declared concerning Nebuchadnezzar came to pass.
Humility recognizes God's sovereignty. Nebuchadnezzar's restoration was accompanied by acknowledgment of the King of heaven.
God is able to humble the proud. No amount of wealth, status, influence, education, position, or human power places a person beyond God's authority.
Personal Application
Daniel 4:37 causes us to examine how we respond when God allows us to prosper.
When something succeeds in my life, do I immediately think about what I accomplished, or do I remember the One who gave me strength, opportunity, wisdom, and ability?
There is nothing wrong with acknowledging hard work. The danger comes when we begin believing that we are self-sufficient.
Even ministry can become a place of pride if we are not careful.
We may begin saying within ourselves:
My teaching.
My ministry.
My knowledge.
My accomplishments.
My influence.
But everything we possess ultimately depends upon God.
Our gifts came from Him.
Our opportunities came through His providence.
Our strength is sustained by Him.
Our lives remain in His hands.
Therefore, when God blesses us, our response should not be self-exaltation but thanksgiving.
Nebuchadnezzar looked at Babylon and said, essentially, “Look what I have done.”
After God dealt with him, he looked toward heaven and said, “I praise and extol and honour the King of heaven.”
That is the transformation Daniel 4 places before us:
From self-glory to God's glory.
Reflection Questions
What does Daniel 4:37 reveal about God's authority over earthly rulers?
What words in Daniel 4:30 reveal Nebuchadnezzar's pride?
What warnings did God give Nebuchadnezzar before judgment came?
Why is it spiritually dangerous to take personal credit for everything we accomplish?
What does it mean that God's works are “truth”?
What does the statement “his ways judgment” teach us about God's character?
How did Nebuchadnezzar's attitude change between Daniel 4:30 and Daniel 4:37?
What is the difference between recognizing an accomplishment and becoming prideful about it?
Is there an area of my life where success has caused me to depend more upon myself than upon God?
How can I intentionally give God the glory for what He has allowed me to accomplish?
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, I praise, extol, and honor You as the King of heaven. You alone are sovereign, and Your kingdom rules over all.
Guard my heart against pride. Never allow me to forget that every gift, opportunity, ability, and blessing I possess ultimately comes from You.
When You bless the work of my hands, help me not to exalt myself. Teach me to remain humble and thankful, always remembering that without You I can do nothing.
If pride has entered my heart, reveal it to me. Correct me through Your Word and give me a heart that willingly submits to Your authority.
May my life bring glory to You rather than glory to myself. Like Nebuchadnezzar, may I learn to praise, extol, and honor the King of heaven, whose works are truth and whose ways are judgment.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
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