What happens to those who walk in pride (Daniel 4:37)?

Response

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had a unique opportunity to understand the consequences of pride in Daniel 4. It was a challenging yet crucial lesson.

The king had a troubling dream, and only the prophet Daniel could interpret it (Daniel 4:6-7). Nebuchadnezzar recounted the dream: he had seen a magnificent and majestic tree (Daniel 4:10-12). In his vision, he witnessed someone descending from heaven and ordering the tree to be cut down, leaving only the stump (Daniel 4:14-15). Interestingly, the heavenly figure referred to the tree as if it were a person. From this description, the king grasped that the individual represented by the tree would live among the animals and eat grass like them “nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth: “, (Daniel 4:15), and his mind would be transformed from human to beastly for seven periods “let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.”, (Daniel 4:16). This decree was made to illustrate the consequences of pride “Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.”,(Daniel 4:37), it is acknowledged that God is the Ruler of all, and He grants authority to whomever He chooses. “This matter 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 ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.”, (Daniel 4:17).

When Daniel interprets the dream, he is troubled, realizing it pertains to Nebuchadnezzar. “Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spoke, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.”, (Daniel 4:19). The king indeed exhibited pride “Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.”, (Daniel 4:37), and God intended to humble him. The tree symbolizing Nebuchadnezzar in the dream was to lose his glory and be reduced to a beast-like state for “seven times” to acknowledge that God is the ultimate authority (Daniel 4:23-25). Once Nebuchadnezzar humbled himself before God, his kingdom would be restored to him (Daniel 4:26-27).

Continuing the narrative in Daniel 4, Nebuchadnezzar’s pride led him to this humbling experience.Describes how all these events unfolded just as the dream had foretold. A year later, Nebuchadnezzar was consumed by pride as he praised himself for the magnificence of the kingdom he had constructed (Daniel 4:29-30). While he was still speaking, Nebuchadnezzar lost his sanity and transformed into a beast (Daniel 4:30-33). When the appointed time had passed, Nebuchadnezzar regained his senses and humbled himself before God, declaring that God is supreme and acts according to His own will (Daniel 4:34-35). Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom was restored, and this time, instead of boasting in personal glory, he praised, exalted, and honored God:

“His dominion is an everlasting dominion;
his kingdom endures from age to age.
All the inhabitants of the earth
are insignificant.
He does as he pleases
with the host of heaven
and the inhabitants of the earth.
No one can restrain his hand
or question him: ‘What have you done?’” (Daniel 4:34-35).