Nebuchadnezzar's dream verified and improved.
Dan. iv.34 — 37. And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me : and I blessed the Most High ; and I praised and honoured him that livethfor ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from genera- tion to generation : and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing : and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth : and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? At the same time my reason returned unto me ; and, for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness re- turned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me ; and I was established in my kingdom ; and excel- lent majesty was added unto me. Noiv I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose ivorks are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
A MORE remarkable history than this is not found in the annals of the world. Never was such a transition ever heard of, from such an elevation to a state of such extraordinary degradation, as that which is recorded in this chapter. The account is written by Nebuchadnezzar himself; and, doubtless by di- vine direction, it was incorporated with the writings of Daniel, and made a part of the inspired volume. Nebuchadnezzar was the greatest monarch then living in the world : he had subjugated many countries to his yoke ; and he ruled over them with despotic sway. But on account of his excessive pride, God determined to humble him, and to make him an example to all future ages. Previously however to the execution of the judgment which he had decreed to inflict upon him, it pleased God to reveal to him, in a dream or vision, the judgment that should be executed. The vision was of a large and fruitful tree cut down ; but the stump thereof was left in the ground : that stump however being intended to re- present a man, who should be left exposed, like the beasts of the earth, to all varieties of weather, for