The Unrealized Lesson of Saddam's Fall and Capture: What Is It?
A commentary by John Ross Schroeder
Good News writer and elder in Watford, England
Earlier in the year one of our Web site commentators wrote: "On
April 9 the statue of Saddam Hussein in the center of Baghdad came tumbling
down. The dramatic scenes of jubiliant Iraqis hanging a noose around
the neck of the statue were a dramatic symbol of a repressive, dictatorial
reign coming to an end."
Now Saddam himself has been captured in the most humbling of circumstances—his
appearance a far cry from the swaggering poses of his dictatorial rule.
Images of "the mother of all mugshots" are on most front pages
of daily newspapers around the globe. But he is not the first ruler to
suffer abject humiliation.
Babylon's King Nebuchadnezzar had also walked in pride, and wound up
being reduced to living with animals, cut off from human contact, for
seven years as a direct punishment for his arrogance. The important difference
is that this ancient king, who lived during the time of Daniel the prophet,
learned the lesson—and at least acknowledged the sovereignty and
supremacy of the Creator God.
This ruler of Babylon was moved to say: "His [God's] kingdom is
an eternal kingdom; His dominion endures from generation to generation" (Daniel
4:3, New International Version throughout unless otherwise stated). God
has seen it all, having endured man's incredible ego since his creation
on earth.
But before Nebuchadnezzar's humiliating exile from power, he had arrogantly
asked: "Is not this great Babylon I have built as the royal residence,
by my mighty power, and for the glory of my majesty?" (verse 30,
emphasis added throughout).
Seven years of massively embarrassing humiliation immediately followed,
after which he learned his lesson: "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise
and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does
is right and all His ways are just. And those who walk in pride He
is able to humble" (verse 37).
In stark contrast, although initially bewildered and disoriented after
his capture—early media reports indicated that Saddam Hussein soon
returned to form, becoming "unrepentant and defiant" and showing "no
remorse." The Evening Standard's (London) correspondent
in Baghdad reported: "Dictator rants in defiance as [Iraq's] new
ruling council confronts him over his years of crime."
Out of control, man's ego is one of the most debilitating aspects of
our human nature. Yet we often acclaim it as a vital ingredient for success.
Once two very famous tennis players discussed being the top player in
the world. One said to the other: "You know it as well as I do.
If you're number two, you might as well be number three or number four—you're
nobody." The other one also stated that ego gets you to the top
and ego keeps you there. That's the way this world looks at success.
But God has an altogether different point of view. True and unfeigned
humility must accompany our human efforts.
Men and women have always been very slow to acknowledge the supreme
authority of the eternal God. Many mainstream Christians refuse to be
ruled by this God, preferring to "worship the little Lord Jesus
away in a manger" instead of the living Christ in heaven. Often
worship is without obedience (Luke 6:46).
Jesus Christ had no problem in expressing both adoration and obedience
toward God the Father. He said: "I praise you Father, Lord of
heaven and earth" (Matthew 11:25) and "I have kept My
Father's commandments" (John 15:10, NKJV). The apostle Paul followed
Christ's example by saying to the Athenian philosophers: "The God
who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and
earth" (Acts 17:24). Over many generations the Creator has
patiently endured the actions of a succession of human dictators.
Saddam Hussein certainly will not be the last dictator to fulfill this
proverb: "Like a roaring lion and a charging bear is a wicked ruler
over a poor people" (Proverbs 28:15, NKJV). Others will follow until
finally a powerful, end-time, charismatic ruler the Bible calls "the
beast" bestrides the world in association with a false religious
leader. Ultimately, together they will suffer the worst humiliation of
all (Revelation 19:20).
Daniel, however, prophesied of Christ's glorious millennial reign to
follow. He saw in vision "One like the Son of Man coming with the
clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days [God the Father],
and was led into His presence" (Daniel 7:13). No physical human
being can enter God's presence in heaven. This passage refers to the
living Christ.
Notice to whom God chooses to give rulership in the age to come. "He
[the Son of Man] was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all
peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped Him. His dominion
is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is
one that will never be destroyed" (verse 14).
Once Jesus Christ assumes the mantle of world leadership, He will rule
in loving authority for all eternity. But notice that despite His greatness,
Christ humbled Himself by becoming a human being to die for the sins
of the world (John 1:14; Philippians 2:7-9).
For a much more complete understanding, please request our free booklets The
Gospel of the Kingdom and Who Is God? You
may download or request them online. |
