Daniel (Greek) 4:28-32: in context

Nebuchadnezzar sits at the very top of the world, king of Babylon at the height of its glory, and this passage catches him at the peak of his satisfaction with himself. He is walking on the flat roof of his palace, looking out over the greatest city on earth, and he says out loud exactly what he thinks.

Is this not great Babylon, he says, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence, for the glory of my majesty? Every load-bearing word is his own: I built it, by my might, for my glory. He is not thanking anyone. And the answer comes, the text says, while the word was still in his mouth, before he had even finished the sentence. A voice from heaven tells him the kingdom has departed from him, that he will be driven away from people to live among the animals of the field, eating grass like an ox, until seven seasons have passed over him. The reason is stated exactly: until you know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he wishes.

The lesson is not humility in the abstract. It is that the kingdom he was so proud of building was never his to begin with. It was given, and what is given can be lifted away, and the great builder grazes in a field until he learns who actually hands out kingdoms. What have I been standing on my own rooftop calling the work of my own hands, forgetting that it was ever handed to me?