In spite of the warning he received, Nebuchadnezzar went on in his own strength, till God took from him the talent of wisdom, that he might be led to see and acknowledge that the God of Israel was able to create and to destroy. The kings who succeeded him failed to profit by his experience, and the kingdom of Babylon passed away because, in their prosperity, her rulers forgot God, and ascribed her honor and glory to human achievement. So today, when men forget God and refuse to obey his law, they are humiliated. God tests them, and if they do not humble their hearts and confess their sins, they receive the penalty of transgression.

På trods af at han fik advarslen, fortsatte Nebuknadnezzar i sin egen styrke, indtil Gud tog visdommens talent fra ham, så han måtte ledes til at se og anerkende det Israels Gud var i stand til at skabe og udslette. De konger der fulgte efter ham, havde ingen gavn af hans erfaring og Babylons rige gik til grunde, fordi det i sin regering glemte Gud, og tilskrev sin ære og herlighed menneskelig præstationer. Sådan er det i dag, når mennesker glemmer Gud og nægter at adlyde hans lov, er de ydmygede. Gud prøver dem, og hvis de ikke ydmyger deres hjerter og bekender deres synder, får de overtrædelsens straf.