climate-changed health vs. Hanging Gardens of Babylon
[King Nebuchadnezzar II reigned from approximately 605 B.C. to 562 B.C. He was born around 634 B.C. and died in 562 B.C., making him about 72 years old at the time of his death. Nebuchadnezzar II is best known for his military conquests, the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C., and the construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which are attributed to him.]
[[The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are often said to have existed around 600 B.C., during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II, rather than 2500 B.C. However, the exact date and even the existence of the gardens are subjects of debate among historians. Some ancient sources describe them as a remarkable feat of engineering with lush greenery, while others question whether they were located in Babylon or if they ever existed at all. The gardens are one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, but much about them remains shrouded in mystery.]]
Digging into the why behind the 'Hanging Gardens' in the kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar II reveals that pride led to his loss of mind and insanity. How did Nebuchadnezzar recover by humbling himself before God?
The story of Nebuchadnezzar II's pride and his eventual humbling before God is a fascinating narrative found in the Bible's Book of Daniel (chapter 4). Nebuchadnezzar was the powerful king of Babylon, renowned for his achievements, including his grand architectural projects like the Hanging Gardens, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This garden symbolized not only his kingdom's grandeur but also Nebuchadnezzar's pride in his own achievements and glory.
The Pride of Nebuchadnezzar II
Nebuchadnezzar's pride is vividly portrayed when he boasts about his accomplishments, attributing all of his success solely to his own power and majesty. According to the biblical account, his pride led God to warn him in a dream that his kingdom and sanity would be taken from him as a consequence of his arrogance and failure to acknowledge God as the ultimate authority. Despite the prophet Daniel's warning, Nebuchadnezzar continued to glorify himself, leading to the fulfillment of God’s warning. (God warns him: 1) gave him a dream; 2) bring the prophet Daniel's interpretation of his dream)
The Fall and Insanity of Nebuchadnezzar II
As a result, Nebuchadnezzar lost his sanity and was driven from society to live like an animal, roaming in the wilderness, eating grass, and living exposed to the elements for seven years. This period of madness symbolized the consequences of unchecked pride and the failure to acknowledge a power greater than oneself. It represented a complete loss of control and humanity, stripping away all that he once gloried in, leaving him utterly humbled and powerless.
Recovery Through Humility
Nebuchadnezzar's recovery came only after he acknowledged his dependence on God, recognizing God’s sovereignty over all kingdoms and his own life. In Daniel 4:34, Nebuchadnezzar lifts his eyes to heaven, a symbolic gesture of humility and submission, and praises God. This act of repentance and humility restores his sanity, and he is returned to his throne with even greater honor than before. He declares God’s rule as everlasting and praises God's justice, which he recognizes was instrumental in both his fall and restoration.
Nebuchadnezzar’s story highlights the transformation that can occur when one humbles themselves before a higher power, showing how pride leads to downfall while humility leads to restoration. In acknowledging God, Nebuchadnezzar finds peace and stability, ultimately regaining his position and legacy, now with a deeper understanding of his place in the universe and a lasting respect for divine authority.
Back to my topic: Nature cries out for help and hope from humanity!
Climate changes emphasize the need for preventative actions, aligning with Nebuchadnezzar II's lesson on the dangers of unchecked pride.
Nebuchadnezzar’s experience of losing his kingdom due to pride mirrors the current human reluctance to adopt humbler, preventive measures against climate change. By heeding the wisdom in “innocence is golden, and better to have remorse than regrets,” proactive efforts could mitigate the adverse health impacts associated with climate change *.
Thus, as Nebuchadnezzar ** II eventually repented, modern society too must recognize the urgent need to act before preventable suffering becomes inevitable. Nebuchadnezzar II, Most powerful and longest-reigning ruler of the Babylonian Empire (from 605–562 B.C.), was figured in the Bible books of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.)
* H/t *
Note-taking from Dartmouth's Robert K. McLellan, MD, MPH envisions climate-change impacts of healthcare:(https://lnkd.in/g2YH4ZsM)
** H/t **
How to Pronounce Nebuchadnezzar Pronunciation · (Received Pronunciation) IPA: /?n?-bj?-k?d--?n?-z?/ · (General American) IPA: /?n?b?k?d?n?z?/, /?n?b?k??n?z?/ ·
