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Key Text
"The
tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto
heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:
The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and
in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow
under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof,
and all flesh was fed of it." Daniel 4:11-12 |
The Bible and History (Page
3 of 4)
An illustration of this truth is found in the history of ancient
Babylon. To Nebuchadnezzar the king the true object of national
government was represented under the figure of a great tree, whose
height "reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the
end of all the earth: the leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit
thereof much, and in it was meat for all;" under its shadow
the beasts of the field dwelt, and among its branches the birds
of the air had their habitation. Daniel 4:11, 12. This representation
shows the character of a government that fulfills God's purpose--a
government that protects and upbuilds the nation.
God exalted Babylon that it might fulfill this purpose. Prosperity attended the
nation until it reached a height of wealth and power that has never since been
equaled-- fitly represented in the Scriptures by the inspired symbol, a "head
of gold." Daniel 2:38.
But the king failed of recognizing the power that had exalted him. Nebuchadnezzar
in the pride of his heart said: "Is not this great Babylon, that I have
built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor
of my majesty?" Daniel 4:30.
Instead of being a protector of men, Babylon became a proud and cruel oppressor.
The words of Inspiration picturing the cruelty and greed of rulers in Israel
reveal the secret of Babylon's fall and of the fall of many another kingdom since
the world began: "Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill
them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened,
neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which
was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither
have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled
them." Ezekiel 34:3, 4.
To the ruler of Babylon came the sentence of the divine Watcher: O king, "to
thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee." Daniel 4:31.
"Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon,
Sit on the ground: there is no throne. . . .
Sit thou silent,
And get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans;
For thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms."
Isaiah 47:1-5.
"O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in
treasures, Thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness,"
"Babylon, the glory of kingdoms,
The beauty of the Chaldees' excellency,
Shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah."
"I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and
I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the Lord of hosts." Jeremiah
51:13; Isaiah 13:19; 14:23.
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