God's Ways are Truth and Judgment

King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled him and wanted to know the interpretation of it.  He called the wise men and astrologers of Babylon to him and demanded they tell him his dream and interpretation.  They confidently said they would tell him the interpretation once he had told them the dream.  Nebuchadnezzar would not budge:  if they were able to understand the meaning of the dream by divination, they would as easily be able to reveal what Nebuchadnezzar dreamed in his own bed.  They balked at this command, claiming the king's command was most unorthodox and unreasonable.  The king accused his wise men as wasting his time and then commanded they all be slain--Daniel and his fellow captives from Israel included.

Daniel and his friends who feared the living God of Israel prayed, and that night God revealed the king's dream and interpretation to Daniel.  After Daniel praised the LORD for this revelation he notified Arioch, the captain of the king's guard, he would make known the dream and interpretation to the king.  Daniel was brought before the king and told him more than the king had required, even Nebuchadnezzar's thoughts that preceded the dream as he lay on his bed.  He explained that through the dream God had revealed future events, that the dream was certain and the interpretation sure.  Daniel 2:46-47 reads, "Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering and incense to him. ⁴⁷ The king answered Daniel, and said, "Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret."

One thing I love about this passage is the king was interested to know the future.  Nebuchadnezzar wanted to test his wise men to see if they were actually wise or charlatans.  He desired to demonstrate his power and authority by determining by a difficult challenge and destroying the unworthy.  God had a completely higher aim that transcended all Nebuchadnezzar's thoughts and plans:  to reveal Himself to a king who was ignorant of Him.  In telling the king's dream God revealed Himself to be the God of gods, the LORD of kings.  In chapters that follow God revealed himself as an unrivaled Deliverer when he saved Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego from the fiery furnace.  God would deprive Nebuchadnezzar of his sanity for 7 years, and at the end of his time Nebuchadnezzar looked to the God of heaven as the One whose ways are truth and judgment, He rules over all nations of the earth and is able to humble the proud.  Nebuchadnezzar desired answers to his questions, glory for himself, to demonstrate his authority, and to find satisfaction in his success--but God answered all these desires with a revelation of Himself.

I wonder:  how often are we like Nebuchadnezzar?  We desire people or God to answer our question or give us insight.  Perhaps our earnest aim is for other people to change their minds about a subject or to consider the facts we want to present.  We can want others to prove themselves to us or have the opportunity to prove ourselves to them.  What we needed more than revelations about future events is a revelation of God who was, is and is to come as the glorious God of gods, the LORD of kings, an unrivaled Deliverer whose ways are all truth and judgment, He rules over all, and those who walk in pride He alone is able to abase.  We can know, by God's dealings with Nebuchadnezzar, that He is working to an end beyond our expectation to reveal Himself to all.  In light of the glory of God we ought to follow the example of the humbled king in Daniel 4:34-35:  "And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: for His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. ³⁵ All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, "What have You done?"

Rather than questioning God, let us bless His holy name, praise and worship Him today.  Let us honour Him in trusting His plans and timing, for He is true and just.  God's will shall ultimately be done, and no one can cause His word to cease or frustrate His wisdom.  Glory in God and honour Him today!