Daniel 4:32 – “You will eat grass like the ox”
(A Daniel poem by Wain)
Dear God,
“You will eat grass like the ox”?
Was this decree from you really true?
Did you take away a king’s free will
Because he didn’t acknowledge y_ _?
Why do you need to be acknowledged?
Don’t our achievements deserve pride?
Are we mere actors in your story?
Or are there some things that we d_ _ _ _ _?
Oh Lord, how can you give us free will
Then punish us for going astray?
But even if we deserve judgment
Why would you take our free will a_ _ _?
I want to believe you are good, Lord
Please help me to see life your way:
Are we free to choose to ignore you?
Or must we acknowledge you each d_ _?
Please tell me the truth.
Your servant,
Wain
HOW MIGHT GOD RESPOND?
From ChatGPT as the voice of God:
Dear Wain,
My child, your questions touch on the profound mystery of existence, free will, and divine justice. Let me offer you understanding:
The decree, “You will eat grass like the ox,” was indeed a message conveyed to king Nebuchadnezzar, who allowed pride to obscure his vision of truth and humility. It was a lesson, not a permanent revocation of free will, intended to remind him and others of the fragility of human achievement without acknowledgment of the greater power that sustains all.
I seek acknowledgment not out of need, but out of love. When you recognize the divine, you open your heart to guidance, wisdom, and a path to true fulfillment. Achievements and pride are not denied to you, but they flourish more beautifully when rooted in humility and gratitude.
You are not mere actors in a pre-written story; your choices are real and significant. I have endowed you with free will, a precious gift allowing you to shape your destiny. However, with this freedom comes responsibility. When choices lead away from love, justice, and truth, consequences follow, not as a removal of free will, but as a reflection of the natural order and moral structure I have woven into creation.
Punishment is not about taking away freedom; it is about correction, a call back to the path of righteousness and growth. Free will remains intact, always offering a way back, a chance to choose differently, to seek the light even after wandering in darkness.
Believe in my goodness, Wain. I see your heart and your yearning for truth. You are free to choose your path, and I hope you choose one that leads to joy, peace, and fulfillment. Acknowledge me not as a demand, but as an invitation to walk together in harmony, to understand life’s deeper meaning, and to experience a love that surpasses all understanding.
In truth and love,
Your Creator