v.
17a: "This sentence is by the decree of the watchers…”
o
The
picture presents Angels as serving as members of a sort of Royal Privy
Council, with the Lord, the Great King, presiding in majesty (cf., Job 1:6,
2:1; 1 Kings 22:19-22).
o
Angels (both those evil & elect) are connected to various
nations, and are associated with their governance and oversight, exercising
dignitary functions over the realms of mankind (cf., Dan. 10:13, 20; Eph. 1:21,
3:10, 6:12).
o
During
the Millennium, incredibly, the Church will enjoy such a high
state and exercise high dignitary functions! (cf., Dan. 7:27; 1 Cor. 6:2-3; 2
Tim. 2:12; Rev. 2:26-28, 20:4, 6.
Dan. 7:27: Then the sovereignty, the
dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be
given to the people of the saints of the Highest One…
Luke 19:17: “And he said to him, ‘Well
done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall
have authority over ten cities.’”
I Cor. 6:2: “Or do you not know that the
saints will judge the world?”
2 Tim. 2:12: “If we endure, we will also reign
with Him…”
Rev. 2:26-28: “He who overcomes, and he who
keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; and
he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken
to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father; and I will give
him the morning star.”
Rev. 20:6: Blessed and holy is the one who
has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power,
but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a
thousand years.
o
The
decree is ultimately the Lord’s (v. 24)—but the heavenly Council
stands in whole-hearted agreement. The Lord’s decree is thus their
decree.
v.
17b: “…and the demand by the word of the holy ones…”
o
The
Heavenly Council not only stands in unison and agreement with the Lord’s righteous
sentence, but also has been demanding through their prayers that
Nebuchadnezzar, the prideful would-be usurper of God’s glory and sovereignty,
be humbled and brought-down low.
o
What
a fearful message unto Nebuchadnezzar: all of God’s holy Angels stand in
opposition to him, demanding through their righteous petitions that he be
judged!
v.
17c: “…to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules…”
o
Through His just judgments, God’s unlimited sovereignty
and Personal attributes of holiness and righteousness are
displayed and revealed unto all of Creation. Judgment imparts knowledge!
Ezek. 6:7: “And the slain shall fall in your
midst, and you shall know that I am the LORD.”
Ezek. 25:5: “I will make Rabbah a pasture for
camels and Ammon a fold for flocks. Then you will know that I am the
LORD.”
Ezek. 25:11: “…and I will execute judgments
upon Moab. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”
Ezek. 25:17: “I will execute great vengeance
on them with wrathful rebukes. Then they will know that I am the
LORD, when I lay my vengeance upon them.”
Rom. 9:17, 22: 17“For the Scripture
says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate
My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the
whole earth." 22“What if God, although willing to demonstrate
His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels
of wrath prepared for destruction?”
v.
17d: “…and gives it to whomever He will…”
o
Outside
of God’s all-embracing sovereign will (Gen. 50:20; Isa. 45:7; Amos 3:6; Acts
2:23), no earthly ruler possesses their throne or authority.
John 19:10-11a: So Pilate said to Him, "You
do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I
have authority to crucify You?" Jesus answered, "You would have no
authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above…”
Rom. 13:11: Every person is to be in
subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from
God, and those which exist are established by God.
o
This
truth applies unto all rulers—from the noblest and most pious,
unto the basest and most perverse. All rulers—whether it be George Washington,
Abraham Lincoln, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Joseph Stalin, or Adolf Hitler—are
ordained of God in accordance with His eternal purposes for the nations.
o
“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have
greatness thrust upon them” (Shakespeare; Twelfth Night; Act II, Scene 5)—but a
King’s Throne, ultimately, is founded not upon his native
cleverness, talents, wealth, social position, etc. Rather, it is founded upon
the good pleasure of God.
v.
17e: “…and sets up over it the lowest of men.”
o
Or,
“basest” of men (KJV), as in the sense of having originated from the
lowest and most humble social station.
o
This
same truth is reflected in Hannah’s Song (1 Sam. 2:7-8), as well as in the
similarly focused Magnificat, sung by the mother of our Lord (Luke 1:51-52):
1 Sam. 2:7-8: "The LORD makes poor and
rich; He brings low, He also exalts. He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts
the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with nobles, and inherit a seat of
honor; for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and He set the world on
them.”
Luke 1:51-52: "He has done mighty deeds
with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their
heart. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, and has exalted those who
were humble.”
o
Interestingly,
Nebuchadnezzar’s own father, Nabopolassar, the founder of the Dynasty,
was a man of obscure origins, testifying to being the “son of a nobody.”
o Nebuchadnezzar was born
to greatness and achieved greatness in his own right—but would soon find
himself the lowest of the low!
o
His story will be one of riches-to-rags-to-riches!!!
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