“Nebuchadnezzar is commonly vilified as one of the worst characters in the Bible, and it is true that he was a despot and did some very wicked things.
However, God accepts the repentance of all men, and Nebuchadnezzar, like Paul, had a transforming experience. His last words recorded in the Bible are:
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (Dan. 4:37).”
I was curious to see what Nebuchadnezzar means in Hebrew, and it was listed as "may Nebo protect the crown". I looked up Nebo, and saw that it means "he who prophesies (testifies of Christ)".
ReplyDeleteIt seems that Nebuchadnezzar finally, at the end of his life, realized that the crown that was to be protected wasn't an earthly one of a kingdom here, but instead the "crown of righteousness".
2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
D&C 29:14 ...and they shall come forth—yea, even the dead which died in me, to receive a crown of righteousness, and to be clothed upon, even as I am, to be with me, that we may be one.
So, through his transforming experience, Nebuchadnezzar may protect his crown of life through prophesying of the greatness of God. Seems he did testify of that beautifully in Daniel 4:37 as you referenced above!
Thanks, Jennifer! Your comments are always worth reading and pondering.
ReplyDeleteThanks, both of you!
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