Of Princes, Presidents and Potentates

The other night I dreamed I was sitting around with several people, one of whom is quite well known. I didn't say anything to him in my dream but later while still laying in bed I thought that if I actually had a chance then I would tell him this story.

He was the ruler of the greatest empire of the world. Leader, builder, all other leaders who followed would pale in comparison.

One day he had a dream which greatly disturbed him. A man in whom was the spirit of god was called to stand before him. That man knew without being told what the dream was, what it meant and how the leader should respond to it.

You will be driven away from mankind and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle and will be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.

Therefore . . . break away now from your sins by doing righteousness and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor.

The ruler did not listen and exactly a year later he was standing on the roof of his palace, overlooking all the beauty and the greatness and the splendor of his empire. Reflecting on it he spoke out and proclaimed it's greatness, adding;

I myself have built (it) , , , by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty.
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While the words were still in his mouth a voice came from heaven saying;

To you it is declared; sovereignty has been removed from you.

Indeed, the ruler was driven away from mankind, he was kept with other beasts in a special garden and given grass to eat and was drenched with the dew from heaven. His hair grew long, his nails became like bird claws and this lasted for seven years.

Then one day he looked up toward heaven and reason returned to his mind. He honored and blessed and praised the Most High and proclaimed:

His dominion is an everlasting dominion and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing but He does according to His will.

The ruler was restored and greatness was added to him and he went on to praise, exult and honor the King of heaven, saying:

All His works are true and His ways just and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.