Day 1: Nebuchadnezzar’s Wisdom

Imagine you’re responsible to plan for a massive gathering. Attending the gathering will be people from several different nations, many of whom may speak English, but dozens, perhaps hundreds of others in attendance, may not. The security for the event is your responsibility. Communication during the event is your responsibility. Planning the event is—you guessed it—your responsibility. What do you do? 

The above is a simplified case study of a very real situation in which the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar found himself. The Babylonian Empire was huge, and oversaw people from many different nations. King Nebuchadnezzar was responsible for national security, education, communication, and everything else. Would he be up for the task? Would he be a different kind of leader than those who had ruled before him?

The answer to these questions is a resounding yes. Nebuchadnezzar employed educated and learned people from other nations the Babylonians had overthrown, not just his own. In time, people from many nations really came to like him as a leader. As you read today, consider this: What does this passage about Nebuchadnezzar tell you about reality? About humanity? 

READING:

     DANIEL 1

What does this passage about Nebuchadnezzar tell you about reality? About humanity? 

In what ways does this help you to identify with the story of Nebuchadnezzar? 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Numbers 20 & 27:12-23

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, as I begin reading and learning about the life of Nebuchadnezzar, I pray that You would open my eyes and heart to see any similarities between his life and my own. If there were times when he resisted You, may I use that as an opportunity to confess the times I have resisted You. If there were times he was overtly proud, may I use that as an opportunity to confess the times I have been overtly proud. If there were times he worshiped You for who You are, may I use that as an opportunity to worship You. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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