Deeper Reflection
When we reach somewhere like we “have become great and grown strong” and our “majesty has become great” (v.22), this must be accompanied by a keen awareness of the possibility of the divine “Chop down the tree and destroy it” (v.23a). But we are safe, if our focus and orientation are not inward and outward, but upward.Nebuchadnezzar met the divine “chop down and destroy” judgment when he was at his prime. However, it was not “chop down and destroy” – period. The divine “chop down and destroy” is accompanied by a “yet leave the stump with its roots in the ground” (v.23b). God judges in righteousness and justice, but with mercy and grace.When Amos saw God’s “locust-swarm” judgment coming on Israel, he cried out, “Sovereign LORD, forgive! How can Jacob survive?” (Am 7:1-2, NIV). God “changed His mind about this” (Am 7:3). God expected Israel to repent of their unfaithfulness. They did not. Then God would send His “fire” judgment and Amos cried out again, “Sovereign LORD, forgive! How can Jacob survive?” (Am 7:4-5, NIV). And God “changed His mind about this” again (Am 7:6). But Israel ignored God’s mercy. This incurred the divine “I will spare them no more” (Am 8:1-2). But still there is divine mercy and grace: “Nevertheless, I will not totally destroy the house of Jacob” (Am 9:8). More than that, God promised Israel that He will “raise up” and “rebuild” their “ruins” (Am 9:11). Capture this heart of God.God in His mercy and grace gave Nebuchadnezzar the opportunity and time – “seven periods of time” (v.25) – to repent.