Day 200 - Daniel 4

The narrative is clear indeed and requires but little interpretation. Because he displeased God, Nebuchadnezzar was turned into a madman and dwelled for seven years among the brute beasts and fed on the roots of herbs. Afterwards, by the mercy of God, he was restored to his throne and praised and glorified the King of heaven.… But there are some who claim to understand by the figure of Nebuchadnezzar the hostile power that the Lord speaks of in the Gospel, saying, “I behold Satan falling from heaven like lightning.” [Luk 10:18.] … These authorities assert that it was absolutely impossible for a man who was reared in luxury to subsist on hay for seven years and so dwell among wild beasts for seven years without being mangled by them. Also they ask how the imperial authority could have been kept waiting for a mere madman and how so mighty a kingdom could have gone without a king for so long a period.… And so they pose all of these questions and offer as their reply the proposition that since the episode does not stand up as genuine history, the figure of Nebuchadnezzar represents the devil. To this position we make not the slightest concession; otherwise everything we read in Scripture may appear to be imperfect representations and mere fables. For once people have lost their reason, who would not perceive them to lead their existence like brutish animals in the open fields and forest regions … what is so remarkable about the execution of such a divine judgment as this for the manifestation of God’s power and the humbling of the pride of kings?—St Jerome