NEBUDCHANEZZAR: THE KING WHO GRAZED ON GRASS

(Daniel 4)

THE KING WHO GRAZED ON GRASS

  

While Daniel was captive in Babylon

Nebudchanezzar was the king.

He oppressed the poor and exalted himself,

But God saw him worth teaching.

One day the king had a vivid dream,

While he was rich and content.

The dream he had made him fearful;

He didn’t know what it meant.

So he called together his “wise” men,

That consisted of magicians and enchanters.

The crowd of “wise” men also included,

Astrologers and diviners.

But none could interpret the dream,

Then Daniel entered his presence.

The king remembered Daniel’s God,

And no mystery could master His brilliance.

Daniel was to tell details of the dream,

Though its meaning left him spent.

Though Daniel was afraid to respond,

The king asked what the dream meant.

Daniel at first was puzzled,

And his thoughts terrified him.

He knew his reply might trouble the king,

So he was feeling grim.

The king told Daniel to have no fear,

If the meaning he would disclose.

Daniel said it would be better,

If the dream was meant for his foes.

Daniel told how the tree in the dream,

Was so large that the whole world could see.

Then Daniel explained that part:

“You, Oh King, are that tree.”

So far, so good, but the dream turned sour;

One would come from heaven and say,

“Cut down the tree and destroy it,

But the stump and the roots should stay.”

“Seven years you will live like animals,

You’ll be drenched in heaven’s dew.

You will graze on grass like cattle,

And no one will be there for you.”

But nothing happened overnight;

A year later on the roof stood the "tree."

He thought he was king of the world,

Reveling in his own majesty.

The words were still on his lips,

When a voice came down from heaven.

“Your royal authority has been taken,

And from people you will be driven.”

And so the dream was fulfilled;

The king was like a wild beast.

He was drenched in heaven’s dew,

While on the grass he would feast.

His hair was like eagle’s feathers,

And his nails like the claws of a bird.

Seven years passed and he looked to heaven,

And his sanity returned at God’s word.

He became greater than ever before;

His honor and splendor returned.

But he now gave God the glory,

And told how his lesson he’d learned.

He acknowledged that the prideful,

God is able to humble.

He took pleasure in telling his story;

He didn’t want others to stumble.

“Pride comes before the fall,” scripture says,

And the king represents all men.

Though he was a legend in his own mind,

Once humbled, God restored him again.

Becky L. Wall