Understanding the Kingdom of GodSample

The Kingdom and the Sovereignty of God

In our day and age, the idea of a kingdom is somewhat foreign to us. Even the most famous monarchs, the Windsors of the United Kingdom, have been reduced to celebrities and fundraisers. Their elaborate and expensive weddings are their most bankable attribute. This is a far cry from the fearsome empires that filled the landscape of the Bible. Whereas the British royal family of today has little to no political power, the rulers of empires in Biblical times had sovereign control over vast amounts of land and people.

Daniel 4 tells the story of Nebuchadnezzar, the arrogant king of Babylon, who God humbled. The evil kingdom of Babylon is contrasted with God’s Kingdom of justice. Whereas Nebuchadnezzar oppressed people who were under him, God uplifts those who are oppressed. Nebuchadnezzar lifted himself up in pride, but God brought him down to humility.

In our previous discussion, we said that the Kingdom of God is, in essence, God’s sovereign rule over all creation. Daniel 4 presents the same idea but adds another layer of complexity. During the time of Daniel, God’s people (Judah) lived under the oppression of the Babylonians. This was due to the Exile (more on that later). It might appear as if King Nebuchadnezzar had sovereign control over God’s people and that God was absent and silent, but behind the scenes, God was still in control of everything. The story of Daniel 4 is like a curtain being pulled back, allowing us to see what is truly going on. In the foreground, Nebuchadnezzar might boast about his power, authority, and fame, but in the background, we see that all of this is given to him by God. Just as God gave him the authority to rule, He can also take it away from him.

The message of Daniel 4 tells us that even though we, as believers, might experience suffering and oppression in this life, God is still in control. He is still the sovereign King over creation. We might suffer under the oppressive rule of the wicked, but God will one day judge the wicked and vindicate the righteous. We are therefore called to remain faithful to Him even while suffering and calamity. We can trust in the sovereignty of God.

Reflect on your own life. Where do you still need to learn to trust in God’s sovereignty?