NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S DREAM.

chadnezzar, the kingdom is gone
from thee; and thou shalt be driven
among the beasts, till thou confess
- that God is king, and that He alone
rules over all.” ‘That very hour,
the dreadful judgment came upon
Nebuchadnezzar. God took away
his reason, and he became a wild
madman. He could not rule his
kingdom, nor enjoy his riches, nor
live comfortably in his palace now.
He would not stay there. He rushed
out into the fields, and lived with
the oxen, and eat grass like them.
He had no home, no friends; he
was “driven from men,” as God had
told him. Seven years Nebuchad-
nezzar was in this dreadful state ;
his hair grew like eagles’ feathers
and his nails like birds’ claws.

But God was not going to destroy
Nebuchadnezzar. All was done in
mercy. Like the great tree in the

dream, Nebuchadnezzar was cut-

down, humbled to the dust; but
the root was in the ground still,
bound round with iron and brass:
his life was preserved ; God watched
over him, and kept him for these
seven years. And at the end of
those seven years, God looked in
love and mercy upon the poor un-
happy king. Nebuchadnezzar had
been humbled; his proud heart was
now willing to submit to God, and
he lifted up his eyes to Heaven, and
cried for pardon. God was willing
to forgive. He gave Nebuchadnez-

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zar his reason and understanding
again, and taught him to praise, and
bless, and honor Him who is “ King
of kings and Lord of lords.” And
then Nebuchadnezzar felt that God
alone is king over all the earth;
and that he has power to do all
things, and to rule all men as he
pleases. God gave Nebuchadnez-
zar his kingdom again; and we
may hope that he ruled over it in
the fear of God, and in humble sub-
mission to His will.

Learn from this story what a
dreadful sin pride is. None of us
have anything to be proud of. All
we have God gave us, and God can
take away in a moment. Some
people are proud of their riches;
some of their power; some of their
wisdom and knowledge; some of
their beauty. Even children are
often proud. Perhaps they are
proud of their dress, or of their
quickness in learning. All this
pride is displeasing to God. What
does the Bible say about it? “God
resisteth the proud, but giveth
grace to the humble.” James iv. 6.
The most holy people are always
the most humble. There is no
pride in Heaven. The.blessed an-
gels and spirits there are not proud.
Jesus Christ Himself, the king of
glory, when He was on earth, was
not proud. He said, “I am meek
and lowly in heart.” Matthew
Xi, 29.