Daniel (Greek) 4:17-22: a reflection

17“‘The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones, to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will, and sets up over it the lowest of men.’ 18“This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen; and you, Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.” 19Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was stricken mute for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. The king answered, “Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream, or the interpretation, trouble you.” Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you, and its interpretation to your adversaries. 20The tree that you saw, which grew and was strong, whose height reached to the sky, and its sight to all the earth; 21whose leaves were beautiful, and its fruit plentiful, and in it was food for all; under which the animals of the field lived, and on whose branches the birds of the sky had their habitation— 22it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown, and reaches to the sky, and your dominion to the end of the earth.

In the dream God gives Nebuchadnezzar, the greatest king of his age, a truth is declared that the proud king needed to learn: to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will. Nebuchadnezzar's greatness, his dominion reaching to the ends of the earth, was real; but it was not his own. The Most High rules over the kingdoms of men, and gives them to whom he will; even the greatest earthly power is held by God's gift, under his rule, accountable to him.

Notice the truth the dream declares: the Most High rules over even the greatest earthly powers. Nebuchadnezzar was the mightiest king of his time, his dominion vast; yet his power was not finally his own. The Most High rules over the kingdoms of men, giving them to whom he will; even the greatest ruler holds his power by God's gift, under God's rule. No earthly power, however great, is beyond God's rule or exempt from accountability to him; the highest king is still under the Most High, who gives and takes away power as he wills.

That is worth taking to heart, for it reminds us that all earthly power, however great, is under God's rule, and that we hold whatever we have by his gift. We can be impressed and intimidated by great earthly powers, as though they were supreme; and we can forget, in whatever we ourselves have, that it is God's gift, held under his rule. But the Most High rules over even the greatest, giving power to whom he will. Do not be overawed by the great earthly powers, as though they were supreme; they are under the rule of the Most High, who gives and takes as he wills. And hold whatever you have humbly, as God's gift, remembering that even the greatest hold their power under his rule, accountable to him; for the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and all earthly greatness, however vast, is held by his gift and under his rule, as Nebuchadnezzar needed to learn.

Lord, in the dream you give Nebuchadnezzar, the greatest king of his age, a truth is declared that the proud king needed to learn: to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will. Nebuchadnezzar's greatness, his dominion reaching to the ends of the earth, was real; but it was not his own. You, the Most High, rule over the kingdoms of men, and give them to whom you will; even the greatest earthly power is held by your gift, under your rule. Show me the truth the dream declares: you rule over even the greatest earthly powers. Nebuchadnezzar was the mightiest king of his time; yet his power was not finally his own. You rule over the kingdoms of men, giving them to whom you will; even the greatest ruler holds his power by your gift. No earthly power, however great, is beyond your rule or exempt from accountability to you. Take that to my heart, for it reminds me that all earthly power is under your rule, and that I hold whatever I have by your gift. I can be impressed and intimidated by great earthly powers, as though they were supreme; and I can forget, in whatever I have, that it is your gift. But you rule over even the greatest. Keep me from being overawed by the great earthly powers, as though they were supreme; they are under your rule, Lord. And help me hold whatever I have humbly, as your gift, remembering that even the greatest hold their power under your rule.