Verse 35: “All the dwellers of earth are thought of as nothing; but He has made all things according to His will, with the hosts of heaven and with the dwellers of earth. There is no one who can protest against His hand or say: ‘Why have You done this?’” 

Nothing: This is quite an admission for Nebuchadnezzar to make (Psalm 8:4 – although we are as nothing God is still mindful of us! This should bring about a desire to honour Him, to respond with gratitude and thanksgiving – which are foundational in worship) 

He: God Protest: Put up an opposition. (No-one can say) 

Why have You done this?: God is beyond criticism. He is Sovereign. Questioning Him, in order to blame Him for things that have happened in our lives, is rooted in an improper theology. As an outcome of rebellion against Biblical truth, God allows (even unpleasant) things to happen in our lives. 

Verse 36: “At that same hour my knowledge returned unto me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honour and splendour returned to me. The cabinet officials and the honourable ones they sought me, and they returned me to my kingdom. And was added to me even additional greatness.” 

At that same hour: In the same way that Nebuchadnezzar’s throne and sanity was instantaneously removed from him (Daniel 4:33) so too was it all instantaneously restored to him. God can bring about restoration, in an instant, in a person’s life. God loves to restore what has been stripped away from us.  

My honour and splendour returned: The prestige of his rule as king was restored. Note: God restored Nebuchadnezzar in a mighty way in order that he would be a mighty source of influence for the kingdom. When God works in our lives it is so that we can become a herald of His truth – not only speaking His message, but also demonstrating it. Additional greatness: God gave Nebuchadnezzar a second chance. 

Verse 37: “And now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and glorify the King of the heavens. All of His deeds are truth, and His ways are righteous. According to His hand He is able to humble the prideful ones.” 

King of the heavens: There is a change. Up to this point God has been referred to as “the God of heaven”. 

The word ‘King’ is important as it shows sovereignty – authority and rule. This change informs the reader that Nebuchadnezzar understands that God is the one and only, true authority. Do we demonstrate God’s authority over every aspect of our lives? Our finances, leisure time, resources etc? 

His deeds are truth: Everything that God does is based upon truth. Everything that we do should also be based on His truth. When we live in this way we acknowledge and express God’s authority in our lives. 

Righteous: Righteousness is an outcome of His truth. When we live according to His truth we are going to find that our ways are going to become righteous – and it is righteousness that manifests God’s glory. When we behave righteously it is an invitation to God to draw close to us, to move in our lives. 

According to His hand: God has the authority to humble those who are proud. Prideful ones: Nebuchadnezzar was speaking about himself. He had experienced this first-hand. Note: God moves in one of two ways (based upon our spiritual condition) – either to lift us up or to humble us.