Daniel 3 - 5

I am by no means an expert in the Old Testament and historical facts. I am more than aware that many historians do not necessarily believe that Nebuchadnezzar ever really changed or was converted to the God of Daniel. But as I read Daniel, I feel different from that. Whether it is true or not, chapter 4 of Daniel seems to be written by Nebuchadnezzar. I seems to me that it was written at a later date in his life something like a journal entry. Nebuchadnezzar begins with a declaration as if it is his testimony -

"...NEBUCHADNEZZAR the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.
3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation." (Old Testament Daniel 4:1 - 3)

And then he relates why -

"...I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:
5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me." (Old Testament Daniel 4:4 - 5)

More than once, the Lord saw fit to provide Nebuchadnezzar with a dream or vision. Even though Daniel had interpreted a previous dream, it doesn't appear at this time in his life that Nebuchadnezzar was sufficiently humble to really repent and believe in the God of Daniel. Even as he receives a troubling dream, he again says -

"...made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream." (Old Testament Daniel 4:6)

After the magicians, astrologers, and soothsayers had their shot, Daniel comes in. Nebuchadnezzar again says to Daniel -

"O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof." (Old Testament Daniel 4:9)

He tells Daniel his dream. With the Spirit resting upon Daniel, he immediately knew the interpretation and it was not good for Nebuchadnezzar for he -

"...was astonied (filled with consternation or dismay) for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. " (Old Testament Daniel 4:19)

The king knew it probably wasn't good in that he says -

"...let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee..." (Old Testament Daniel 4:19)

Daniels interpretation was -

"O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule." (Old Testament Daniel 4:24 - 26)

And then as if the interpretation could conditionally be avoided, Daniel said -

"O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity." (Old Testament Daniel 4:27)

These of the very principles taught by the Savior. This counsel must have been very difficult for a king that basically seemed to rule the world. It becomes obvious that he did not follow the counsel for in twelve months, the king in all his pride and power, confesses -

"...Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?" (Old Testament Daniel 4:30)

And as he did -

"While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee..." (Old Testament Daniel 4:31)

"...The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws." (Old Testament Daniel 4:33)

"All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar." (Old Testament Daniel 4:28)

He seemed to have lost his mind experiencing great dimentia for the rest of his life. But Nebuchadnezzer testifies -

"...at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?" (Old Testament Daniel 4:34 - 35)

As Nebuchadnezzar becomes suffienctly humble he declares that -

"At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
37 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." (Old Testament Daniel 4:36 - 37)

There is no evidence that Nebuchadnezzar did or did not return to his old ways. I just feel he did not and was converted to the Lord.