September 7

End of Ezekiel's Ministry - Ezekiel 29:17-21; Nebuchadnezzar's Temporary Insanity - Daniel 4:1-37; End of Jeremiah's Ministry - Jeremiah 52:31-34; 2 Kings 25:27-30

Poet William Blake's illustration of Nebuchadnezzar...obviously during his period of insanity.

King Nebuchadnezzar,

To the peoples, nations and men of every language, who live in all the world:

May you prosper greatly!

It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.

Daniel 4:1-2

Ahhh, the curious case of Nebuchadnezzar. I am fascinated by him.

Somehow I've always had the idea that Babylon was an evil empire. Seem to get that impression in scripture. But Nebuchadnezzar is a believer - or, at least, he is in the passages given here. And he gives his testimony about God. The story he relates is scripture. I'm inspired to find out more about the man.

Here are a few facts found in Wikipedia:

• A bottle of champagne filled with the volume equivalent of 20 standard bottles (15 litres) is called a Nebuchadnezzar.
• In The Matrix film trilogy, the hovercraft captained by Morpheus is named the Nebuchadnezzar.
• Saddam Hussein named one of his Republican Guards divisions after Nebuchadnezzar.
• ^{Saddam Hussein considered himself to be the reincarnation of Nebuchadnezzar and had the inscription "To King Nebuchadnezzar in the reign of Saddam Hussein" inscribed onto numerous bricks that were inserted into the walls of the ancient city of Babylon during a reconstruction project that he initiated.}

There are even historical references to Nebuchadnezzar's insanity described in Daniel. Again, from Wikipedia:

A clay tablet in the British Museum (BM34113) describes Nebuchadnezzar's behavior during his insanity: "His life appeared of no value to him... then he gives an entirely different order... he does not show love to son or daughter... family and clan does not exist." There is no record of acts or decrees by the king during 582 to 575 BC.

Nebuchadnezzar is another of the many voices who didn't come from the Jewish tradition yet had a relationship with God. In terms of eternity, we are all His chosen. Also note that perhaps those rulers of distant powers who we generally consider enemies to our way of life...maybe agents of God and believers.

Lord knows.