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Chapter 4:28-33 (ESV) - All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” While the words were still in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws.
Question to consider: Why was Nebuchadnezzar given twelve months before his dream came to pass?
The third-person references to the king might have been Daniel’s commentary mixed in with Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony. The fact that the LORD’s decree came to pass twelve months after it was given to the king shows that the king was given more than enough time to repent and act according to the advice of Daniel.
Those who have wealth and power fail to realize how quickly and easily it can be taken away. If you have studied Jeremiah, you may remember that Jehoiakim used forced labor to build his own house and thought himself a great king because of its splendor. The LORD posed to him these questions through Jeremiah, “Do you think you are a king because you compete in cedar? Did not your father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Is not this to know me?” (Jeremiah 22:15-16)
If the LORD would judge a king of Judah for lesser pride about a house, it is no surprise that Nebuchadnezzar would receive the judgment he did for his pride concerning the entire kingdom of Babylon. So Nebuchadnezzar lost everything and descended into madness for seven years. His madness would be removed from him as quickly as it came in order that he would recognize that the Most High was the true ruler of the kingdom of men. The one who thought himself so lofty would be made as low as an animal in the field.
I believe there is an implied hope in the manner in which the LORD dealt with Nebuchadnezzar. If the LORD rendered full judgment against Nebuchadnezzar, it would have resulted in his death. In Hebrews 12:6, it was written, "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." Given that Nebuchadnezzar was ultimately restored to his throne, I believe the LORD disciplined him as a son.
Dear Lord whose throne is the heavens and earth is Your footstool, have mercy on us. Thank You for leveling the mountains of the prideful and raising up the valleys of the humble so that we may all walk according to Your ways in love. Amen.