Nails Like Bird Claws

Feb. 9

Read: Daniel 4:4-33

Nails Like Bird Claws

“…seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” (v.25)

“The MOST HIGH rules the kingdom of men…” Let that sink in for a moment. With all the political theatre around us (such a circus!)…and throughout the world (Canadian Trucker Convoys, etc.) … with all the geopolitics and the threat of wars (Ukraine and Taiwan), or the manipulation by people in power through the fomenting of fear, division, and doubt… Humankind may have forgotten who is truly in charge. Heck, WE (the people of God) may have forgotten who is in charge! “the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” God is the one who “gives it to whom he will”.

I will admit that I do not always understand God’s methods… his “why” behind some of the people he has given power and rule to. But what CAN be understood is the truth of the scriptures and the reminder that HE is ultimately ruling over all the earth. If you stop to think of it though, the pattern we see in Nebuchadnezzar is repeated time and time again. Every human “empire”, legacy, or ruler is dismantled sooner or later. God is the one left standing, King Jesus is left as the King, and God’s Spirit remains the only source of true power and the avenue for communication with God. Just like Daniel, the Spirit of God dwells within his people… you and I (v.18)

Pride, arrogance, and narcissism are the most common of all sins that overtake truly great men and women. The greater a person’s capacity and aptitude, the more likely they are to think that they are the source of the power and position they enjoy. In short, they have forgotten “the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will”. When this happens, there is only one remedy - a person must be humbled and the Lord is the greatest of humblers. He does this not because he is malicious, but because he understands that pride, arrogance, and self absorption not only rob him of glory, but they will destroy a person in the end. So what is left but to humble that arrogant person and remove them from power.

Not how gracious God is when he does this to the king. It is not a permanent destruction but a “7 season” hiatus before the mind of the king is given back to him. The sad truth is that even being fore-warned of the coming destruction - king Nebuchadnezzar stayed the course of his arrogant ways… boasting on his roof top. God lowered him alright… and made him “like an animal”. Wow. The description is pretty graphic to read.

The Holy Spirit within us gives us eyes to see coming destruction and ears to hear a rebuke. Daniel can rightly discern the truth and the interpretation of the king’s dream because (as Nebuchadnezzar says to Daniel) “in you is the spirit of the holy gods… I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too difficult for you.” We will never fully grasp the arrogance of the empire builders or their coming dismantling without the instruction of the Holy Spirit. (cf. Psalm 73) We will become distracted by the growth of kingdoms or leaders who do not give glory to God unless we turn to the Lord and have him open our eyes to their eventual end apart from HIM. The Holy Spirit says to us the same words he said to the king: “let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.”

As God’s people, let us rest in the truth that “the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” God appoints our leaders… even if there is ballot tampering and fishy results from the polls. Why waste time clamoring for human audits when we can trust that God is at work? When we find ourselves being tempted to “grow our tree to the sky”… and get a little to full of ourselves… may God promptly send us a Daniel to “interpret our dreams”. If we are consistently “practicing righteousness” and “showing mercy to the oppressed” it goes a long ways towards protecting us from the sins of pride and arrogance. In the end, unchecked pride and arrogance will have you literally acting like an animal… you will become gross… inhuman really…the last thing you want is to “be driven from among men and eat grass like an ox, and have your body wet with the dew of heaven till your hair grows as long as an eagles' feathers, and your nails are like birds' claws.” (v.33) Yuck! And yet… God brings Nebuchadnezzar around. After “7 periods of time” he is restored. I can’t help but imagine that he was humbled after that experience. How gracious is our Lord! Love you guys. - JDP