I said, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me. These are the visions I saw while lying in bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous. The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed. Daniel 4:9-12 (NIV).
This sounds like a good dream, right? Nebuchadnezzar talks to Belteshazzar (Daniel) about this vision he has of a prosperous time in his kingdom. Naturally, he attributes the prosperity to himself. He says he was at home, “contented and prosperous” (see yesterday’s verses), and he envisions a massive tree where everyone around him is happy, protected, and thankful (for him). It’s only natural that Nebuchadnezzar would think of all this as a function of his reign.
After all, that’s what leaders do. Presidents take credit for good things that happen on their watch (even when they don’t cause them). Vice presidents in companies take credit for their departments and functional divisions; directors take credit for everything. Just yesterday, my wife and I were looking at a new house not far from our current home, and all I could think about was what I would do there, how great I could make it, what a great place this would be for us and for me.
Me. Me. Me. It’s sorta nauseating because “it’s not about me,” or at least “it” isn’t supposed to be.
It isn’t supposed to be about me any more that the prosperity of Babylon was about Nebuchadnezzar. John Gunther Jr said (in “Death Be Not Proud”) “God is what is good in me.” Dying words or no, he only got part of it right. All that is good is from God. All that we know is from God. When things go well, generally, it isn’t because of me or you, even if our talents & work go into it. No, we need to give credit where it’s due. Lay it all at the feet of Jesus.
That’s what Nebuchadnezzar should have done. Did he? Did he, who had seen repeated miracles interpreted by his friend and advisor, Belteshazzar/Daniel? Did he, who confessed that God is God, that He is the Most High instead of just another of Babylon’s useless idols? Did we? I bet you know the answer.
For further reading: Psalm 4:4, Ezekiel 17:23, Ezekiel 31:3-4, Matthew 13:32, 2 Corinthians 5:15, Daniel 4:13
Lord, all that I have is a gift from You. Thank You.
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Practical Proverbs 