What can we learn from ancient King Nebuchadnezzar about our nation’s longevity and our political leaders’ pronouncements and projections?
Hi, I’m Rex Rogers and this is episode #229 of Discerning What Is Best, a podcast applying unchanging biblical principles in a rapidly changing world, and a Christian worldview to current issues and everyday life.
Ancient rulers, let’s just say thought very highly of themselves, some to the point of proclaiming themselves gods. Most early history people groups considered themselves the greatest, the salt of the earth.
For example, the Sumerians, the first known civilization, 3500–2300 BCE, saw Sumer (or Mesopotamia) as the center of civilization. Other lands were “foreign” or “barbaric.” The Babylonians believed Babylon was the navel of the world; the Etemenanki ziggurat, considered by many scholars to be the site and replication of the biblical “Tower of Babel,” was literally called “the temple of the foundation of heaven and earth.” The Romans saw Rome as caput mundi (“the head of the world”), the center of civilization and the divine order. The Middle Kingdom Chinese considered China the world’s center; surrounding peoples were “barbarians.” In old Japan, the term Nippon means “Origin of the Sun,” implying their land was where the sun (and thus the world) begins. Aztecs believed their capital, Tenochtitlán, was built at the center of the universe, where the “four directions” met. Among 9th–20th century nationalisms, various nations, e.g., British Empire, Imperial Japan, Nazi Germany, Soviet Union, the United States, portrayed themselves as the bearers of civilization or destiny — “the people” leading history’s center stage.
All this is to say that President Donald J. Trump’s “Make America Great Again” and other nationalistic pronouncements are not anything new.
Thinking highly of one’s nation or people group, it seems, is part of human nature. And on one level, there’s nothing wrong with selfless patriotism and humble confidence aimed at one’s nation or people.
Problems arise when patriotism gives way to ethnocentrism, the idea one’s nation or people are inherently superior to others, which usually partners with another negative attitude, xenophobia, an intense, irrational dislike, fear, or hatred of people from other countries or cultures.
And problems arise when confidence morphs into hubris, an arrogant conceit that God had nothing to do with our blessings, power, and well-being; in fact, we don’t need God for we are gods, with the character Jack Dawson in the Titanic movie we say, “I’m king of the world!”
During his 43-year reign, ancient King Nebuchadnezzar the Great, the second king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, 605-562 BCE, was without question the most powerful person in the world. He built a colossal golden statue of himself and commanded people to bow down to it (Dan. 3).
And though God had warned him via the captive prophet Daniel’s words, still, Nebuchadnezzar later looked upon his city and said,
“Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” (Dan. 4:30).
At that moment, God judged Nebuchadnezzar, causing him to lose his mental faculties for seven years, thinking he was a beast, living in the wilderness, and eating grass like an ox. At the end of his time, God restored Nebuchadnezzar’s faculties and throne, and the King said, “Now, I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (Dan. 4:37).
King Nebuchadnezzar is mentioned in the Bible more than 90 times. He became a symbol of God’s authority over nations, even over pagan empires. There is much we can learn from his story.
In the Bible, God makes it clear, as Nebuchadnezzar discovered, that God is sovereign over nations and rulers. For example, the Scripture says, “God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne” Ps. 47:8. And, “He makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away” Job 12:23.
And another, “Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales” Is. 40:15.
Then the Word also says the Lord is sovereign over rulers. For example, in the book of Daniel (2:20-21), it says, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings.” In Psalms (22:28), the Word says, “For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.” And then in Proverbs (21:1), it states, “The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.”
So, I find it interesting and instructive that the Word both commands us to pray for rulers and warns us about them. The Apostle Paul said, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:1-5).
But even as we pray for them, in the book of Psalms (146:3-4) the Scripture reminds us about who ultimately is in charge. “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.”
Remember I said there is much to learn from King Nebuchadnezzar’s story?
- Neither we, nor fate, nor rulers, nor forces determine our’s or our nation’s future; God does.
It is not wrong to develop a vision or goals, plan, prepare, or work toward a better tomorrow for our families, our work, or our nation, but we should always do so remembering what Nebuchadnezzar learned—God does according to his will (Dan. 4:35). This is not limiting but liberating, for the truth that we serve a living omniscient, omnipotent Creator God who loves us, redeems us, and grants us freedom sets us loose from fear of mysterious fates and forces, bad luck, or various ideological determinisms. No, we are rational, reasoning beings made in the image of God who can use the talents he has given us to build, contribute, and bless for the glory of God.
- Nations do not last forever, nor do rulers.
This is a reminder that, blessed as the experience is of living in any country, especially one that celebrates life and liberty, one that perhaps we patriotically love and appreciate, even these United States of America, no empire, no nation – not even the three thousand years of the Egyptian kingdom – continues eternally. The USA is not mentioned in the Bible and is not cited relative to End Times scripture.
This does not mean the USA won’t be around when the Lord returns, but we don’t know this. The USA celebrates its 250th Anniversary in year 2026, but there are many undermining ideas afoot in the US today, ideas that have consequences and some like Cultural Marxism, left-wing radicalism, and creeping bureaucracy directly attack the foundations of the American republic. There is no guarantee the United States of America will continue another 250 years.
President Donald J. Trump is a dynamic personality, who if he lives will be 80 years old at the time of the nation’s 250th birthday. I pray God’s blessings upon Mr. Trump’s health and well-being, but he, like the rest of us, will not live forever. Nor will his legacy.
So, what else do we learn from King Nebuchadnezzar and scripture?
- Do NOT put your trust in nations, including the USA, or national leaders, only God.
I am patriotic. I am grateful for my American birth and life, and I’m grateful for the intention and the ideals that made this country strong in the first place, most especially freedom. I hope we can see America not simply great again but restored and renewed based on its founding principles. But either way, the USA will not take care of us into eternity.
As Os Guinness reminded us, “Humans are still mortal. Superpowers and civilizations are mortal too. They all have expiration dates.” Scripture says, God “makes nations great, and he destroys them.” With King Nebuchadnezzar, we can bless the Most High, praise and honor him who lives forever, for his dominion is everlasting, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation (Dan. 4:34).
Well, we’ll see you again soon. This podcast is about Discerning What Is Best. If you find this thought-provoking and helpful, follow us on your favorite podcast platform. For more Christian commentary, see my website, r-e-x-m as in Martin, that’s rexmrogers.com, or check my YouTube channel @DrRexRogers.
And remember, it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm.
© Rex M. Rogers – All Rights Reserved, 2025
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