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Royalty and Ruin
my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and
praised and honored Him who lives forever... .
“And for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor re-
turned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was
restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me.”
The once proud monarch had become a humble child of God, a
wise and compassionate king. He now acknowledged the power of
the Most High and earnestly sought to promote the fear of Jehovah
and the happiness of his subjects. At last Nebuchadnezzar had
learned the lesson that all rulers need to learn—that true greatness
consists in true goodness. He acknowledged the living God, saying,
“I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven,
all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who
walk in pride He is able to put down.”
God’s purpose was now fulfilled. This public proclamation, in
which Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged the goodness and authority
of God, was the last act of his life recorded in sacred history.
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