You Are Not Aloneنموونە

Throughout Old Testament Israel, no name has struck more fear into the hearts of the Hebrews than Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar, whom Jeremiah described as “God’s servant” (Jeremiah 25:9), was the king of Babylon from 605 to 582 B.C. Many Old Testament authors referencing Nebuchadnezzar inform their readers that God used him to punish Israel for their sins. According to Jeremiah 21:7, Nebuchadnezzar and his army would “strike them down with the edge of the sword. He shall not pity them or spare them or have compassion.” He was heartless in battle.

Nebuchadnezzar was a violent warrior. His policy was to control the population via terror. By 572, Nebuchadnezzar completely controlled Babylonia, Assyria, Phoenicia, Israel, Philistia, northern Arabia, and parts of Asia Minor. Interestingly, according to Jewish history, Nebuchadnezzar was a little person who suffered from dwarfism. Naturally, people underestimated him. However, he had immense courage. Rumors existed that he trained a lion and rode it bareback in his palace.

Nebuchadnezzar allegedly had the Hanging Gardens of Babylon built around 600 BC for his wife, Amytis, who was homesick for her mountainous home. Nebuchadnezzar constructed an elaborate garden to replicate her lush homeland and cheer her up. Nebuchadnezzar was also responsible for rebuilding the Etemenanki ziggurat (also known as the Tower of Babel) and the magnificent Ishtar Gate. Nebuchadnezzar was very proud of his accomplishments. And who wouldn’t be? After all, he had built the amazing city of Babylon. Daniel 4:30 says that Nebuchadnezzar said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” Up until this point, the only emotional issues Nebuchadnezzar had is an inflated ego and pride.

God’s judgment of Nebuchadnezzar’s pride involved complete humiliation of him. Daniel 4:31 tells us that God removed Nebuchadnezzar’s authority. A few verses later, God removed Nebuchadnezzar’s sanity. Nebuchadnezzar went from being human to being sub-human. Nebuchadnezzar is the first recorded case of boanthropy, when a person, in a delusional state, believes themself to be an ox or cow and attempts to live and behave accordingly. According to Daniel 4:30 and 32, Nebuchadnezzar lived as a cow for seven years! But how awesome that there is more to this story, for God could have easily left Nebuchadnezzar to die in the fields with a mouthful of grass. Human stomachs cannot digest grass, so the fact that Nebuchadnezzar survived in this condition is utterly miraculous. God not only altered the man’s inner organs and appearance, but also saw to it that the king didn’t become food for wild animals during this period. However, after seven years, God restored Nebuchadnezzar’s mind to sanity.

Additionally, after those seven years, Nebuchadnezzar worshiped God! God was there in the fields with Nebuchadnezzar. He took care of him. God will take care of you, too! He is there, and He cares!