Deeper Reflection
God had spoken twice to Nebuchadnezzar: in the vision of his dream (Dan 4:10-17), and then, in Daniel’s interpretation of his dream (Dan 4:19-27). Three things formed the content of God’s word to Nebuchadnezzar. First, God’s revelation of His sovereignty: “the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth” (Dan 4:17, 25, NIV). Second, God’s threat of His judgment: God would remove him from his throne and make him live among beasts (Dan 4:14-15, 23-25). Third, God’s call for Nebuchadnezzar’s acknowledgement: to “recognise that it is Heaven that rules” (Dan 4:17, 25-26).“Twelve months later” (v.29), Nebuchadnezzar walked on the roof of his palace and saw the Babylon that he had built: “Is this not Babylon the great?” (v.30). God gave Nebuchadnezzar “twelve months” to respond to His word to him. It was “twelve months” of divine grace. God was waiting – quietly. But there was no response from Nebuchadnezzar. Probably, Nebuchadnezzar had forgotten the Word of God. God spoke to him the last time about His plan of world history through a vision of a great statue (Dan 2). Until now, Nebuchadnezzar was still the head of gold. And all that God said about the other parts of the statue and the stone cut out without hands has not happened. And now, one month passed…two months passed…three months passed… Nothing happened. There’s a danger in situations where nothing happens after God has spoken. Nebuchadnezzar probably thought the Word of God is not true after all.We cannot know the grace period that God gives us to amend our wayward ways. And we can foolishly squander the grace of God.

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⁴⁶ 1 Peter 5:10 ⁴⁷ Ephesians 1:7-8a; 2:7 ⁴⁸Hebrews 4:15-16