王终于认识神
但以理书四章28至37节
28这事都临到尼布甲尼撒王。
29过了十二个月，他游行在巴比伦王宫里（原文是上）。
30他说：这大巴比伦不是我用大能大力建为京都，要显我威严的荣耀么？
31这话在王口中尚未说完，有声音从天降下，说：尼布甲尼撒王啊，有话对你说，你的国位离开你了。
32你必被赶出离开世人，与野地的兽同居，吃草如牛，且要经过七期。等你知道至高者在人的国中掌权，要将国赐与谁就赐与谁。
33当时这话就应验在尼布甲尼撒的身上，他被赶出离开世人，吃草如牛，身被天露滴湿，头发长长，好像鹰毛；指甲长长，如同鸟爪。
34日子满足，我─尼布甲尼撒举目望天，我的聪明复归于我，我便称颂至高者，赞美尊敬活到永远的神。他的权柄是永有的；他的国存到万代。
35世上所有的居民都算为虚无；在天上的万军和世上的居民中，他都凭自己的意旨行事。无人能拦住他手，或问他说，你做甚么呢？
36那时，我的聪明复归于我，为我国的荣耀、威严，和光耀也都复归于我；并且我的谋士和大臣也来朝见我。我又得坚立在国位上，至大的权柄加增于我。
37现在我─尼布甲尼撒赞美、尊崇、恭敬天上的王；因为他所做的全都诚实，他所行的也都公平。那行动骄傲的，他能降为卑。
信息分享
历史学家告诉我们，在古代世界中，巴比伦是版图最广和兵力最强的城市，简直是无与伦比。它方圆25平方公里；围绕它的城墙坚厚宽阔，足够四辆战车并驾齐驱。城内有53座庙宇；人口约有125万人。
王宫周长10公里。大殿长约50米，宽约15米。殿中摆设了来自帝国各地的贡品。
难怪尼布甲尼撒王自诩说：「这都是我造成的！」（30节）但神却对他说：「时间到了。我已等了很久，但你却始终不肯认识我。」（31节）
神对王的审判非常严厉。足有7年的时间，王变得神志失常，像动物般生活。他曾经自夸的荣华富贵，他却完全享受不到。
然而，神是何等的恩慈。祂让巴比伦国一直保持完好无损，直至尼布甲尼撒的神志恢复正常，人民再次接纳他（36节）。
尼布甲尼撒王就像浪子一样，终于醒悟过来。在他清醒的一刻，他举目望天，神就使他的神志恢复正常。
他的生命立即出现奇妙的改变！更重要的是他的心完全改变过来。请看第34节，他竟然说：「我便称颂至高者，赞美尊敬活到永远的神。」
简直如脱胎换骨的改变！我们预期将来在天上会见到尼布甲尼撒王。此外，请留意他在第37节的见证。他向他的所有臣民宣讲这个信息（1、2节）。他认识神之后，便希望所有人都知道并能认识祂。我们是否有同样的心志呢？我们的行事为人和言谈说话，能否被神使用，以致更多人能认识神呢？
THE KING ACKNOWLEDGES GOD
Daniel 4:28-37
28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar.
29 At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon.
30 The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?”
31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you!
32 And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”
33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.
34 And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever:
For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom is from generation to generation.
35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
He does according to His will in the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth.
No one can restrain His hand
Or say to Him, “What have You done?”
36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me.
37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.
Message
The king's palace was 10 kilometres in circumference. The throne room was about 50 metres long and 15 metres wide. The furnishings had been brought by Nebuchadnezzar from every part of his great empire.
The king was saying to himself (v.30), "I have done it all." Then God spoke and said, "Time is up. I have waited long enough for you to acknowledge Me." (v.31)
The judgment on the king was severe. For seven years he endured a form of insanity which made him act like an animal. He was stripped of everything about which he had been boasting.
However, God is gracious. He kept the kingdom intact until Nebuchadnezzar came to himself and was accepted by his people once again (v.36).
How did it happen? Like the prodigal son, he finally came to himself. In a moment of rationality, he raised his eyes to heaven and his sanity was restored.
What a wonderful change immediately came into his life! More importantly that change came to his heart. Listen to his words in verse 34, "Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever."
What a remarkable conversion. We can expect to meet Nebuchadnezzar in heaven. Notice also his testimony in verse 37. That message was sent to all his subjects (vv.1-2). When he acknowledged God, he wanted everyone to know it and he wanted them to do the same. Does that describe our desires today? Can God use our life and our words so that others will acknowledge Him too?