A Tale of Two Kings

"Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice;
and those that walk in pride, he is able to abase." - Daniel 4:37

The scriptures record human history to show us how we should live. Paul affirms this in Romans 15:4. Here we view two kings that form a contrast of God's justice, and indicate how the Lord will deal with us, for each of us live -and die- like one or the other.

The words above, from Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, are bolder praise than many sing on Sundays. He was God's instrument to carry away captive the people of Judah on three separate occasions, from 606 through 586 BC. He built a great empire and a beautiful city. But he had the primary problem that plagues us all - pride . Pride leads the list of seven abominations found in Proverbs 6. He differed from us in one notable way: he had tremendous resources to further his view of himself as the one in control.

Daniel chapter four relates a pivotal episode from his life. It records Nebuchadnezzar's boasting of the city that he had built. He was not mindful of the Lord who had placed him as king. He saw only his power that built the kingdom. The Lord caused him to be driven from men and eat grass as an ox, while his hair and nails grew long. When the Lord ended this period of "seven times", he saw his state. He was
truly humbled and led into praise. Self-forgetting praise indicates a heart that has been pierced and emptied of its pride.

The other king we may learn from is the Egyptian Pharaoh of the Exodus. He is remembered as a warning of God's power over those who refuse to humble themselves. "For the scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose did I raise you up, that I might show in you my power, and that my name might be published abroad in all the earth." So then he has mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardens."-Romans 9:17-18 The Lord made Pharaoh an example forever of the destruction of those who will not surrender.

The Lord's justice in dealing with Pharaoh is seen from several facts found in Exodus. When the Lord called Moses at the burning bush he foretold a portion of the future, "And I know that the king of Egypt will not give you leave to go, no, not by a mighty hand. And I will put forth my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go." - Exodus 3:19-20 This was before the Lord or Pharaoh hardened his heart (Exodus 4:21, 8:15).

The execution of the ten plagues upon Egypt ( Exodus 7-11 ) was an increasing display of the Lord's power over men. We wonder how Pharaoh could repeatedly resist the Lord who wielded such power. Yet we maintain our pride - until we are humbled to surrender , while make-believers continue concealing sin and churches degenerate into clubs.

How can we see ourselves before it is too late? Scripture points to a decisive personal event of repentance toward God . Jesus taught this at the beginning of his ministry, Mark 1:15; during it, "except you repent, " Luke 13:5; and after his resurrection, Luke 24:47.
Paul saw the risen Jesus and was blinded by his glory. Later he wrote, " But whenever a man shall turn to the Lord , the veil is taken away ."
- 2 Corinthians 3:16 Even after turning to the Lord, the Spirit humbles us repeatedly to see our remaining sin.

Pharaoh stubbornly kept his pride until it was turned into terror and crushed in the sea.
Nebuchadnezzar was humbled and lead into praise. Each of us live -and die- like one or the other.
The King of kings still calls us to lose our life to receive his: " for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest unto your souls. "
" Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts ." - Hebrews 4:7