In the biblical narrative, instances of insanity or madness are sometimes depicted as divine judgments upon individuals or nations. This concept is rooted in the understanding that God, as the sovereign ruler of the universe, exercises His authority to discipline and correct His creation, often using mental affliction as a means to achieve His purposes.

Nebuchadnezzar's Madness

One of the most prominent examples of insanity as a divine judgment is found in the account of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. In the Book of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar is portrayed as a powerful monarch who becomes prideful and self-exalting. In response to his arrogance, God humbles him by afflicting him with a form of madness. Daniel 4:31-33 describes this event: "While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: 'King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared that the kingdom has departed from you. You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox, and seven times will pass you by until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He wishes.' Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from mankind, ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird."

This period of madness serves as a divine tool to bring Nebuchadnezzar to a place of humility and recognition of God's ultimate authority. After the appointed time, his sanity is restored, and he acknowledges the sovereignty of God, as seen in Daniel 4:34-37.

Saul's Distress

Another example is King Saul, the first king of Israel, who experienced a tormenting spirit from the Lord. In 1 Samuel 16:14 , it is written, "Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him." Saul's disobedience and rejection of God's commands led to his mental and spiritual distress, which manifested in erratic behavior and bouts of madness. This affliction served as a judgment for his failure to adhere to God's will and as a means to transition the kingship to David.

Judgment on Nations

The concept of insanity as a divine judgment is not limited to individuals but extends to nations as well. In Deuteronomy 28, God outlines the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience to His covenant. Among the curses for disobedience, mental affliction is mentioned. Deuteronomy 28:28 states, "The LORD will afflict you with madness, blindness, and confusion of mind." This warning highlights the consequences of national apostasy and rebellion against God, where collective insanity and confusion serve as instruments of divine retribution.

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets also warned of madness as a consequence of turning away from God. In Jeremiah 25:16 , the prophet speaks of nations drinking the cup of God's wrath, resulting in madness: "They will drink and stagger and go out of their minds because of the sword that I will send among them." This imagery underscores the severity of divine judgment and the disorienting effects of God's wrath upon those who persist in sin.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, instances of insanity as a judgment from God serve as sobering reminders of the seriousness of sin and the necessity of humility before the Almighty. These accounts illustrate the profound impact of divine discipline and the ultimate authority of God over the mental and spiritual well-being of individuals and nations.Deuteronomy 28:28
The LORD shall smite you with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart:
Nave's Topical Index

Zechariah 12:4
In that day, said the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open my eyes on the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness.
Nave's Topical Index

Faustus Denies that Manich??ans Believe in Two Gods. Hyle no God. ...
... the other bitter, it would appear like idiocy or insanity in you ... no other God is
understood than He whose Son, sent by Him, came saying, "For judgment am I ...
/.../faustus denies that manichaeans believe.htm

God's Word not to be Refused
... will refuse the Saviour because of the insanity of their ... which they had treated the
servants, he sent his own ... in mercy, you must have him in judgment, and if ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/gods word not to be.htm

To Alexander, Bishop of the City of Constantinople.
... these stupid men understand not the insanity of their ... and inform against its professors
before the judgment-seats; who in ... Which also I have sent unto you by my ...
/.../i to alexander bishop of the.htm

Christ, to Perform the Office of Mediator, Behoved to Become Man.
... only declares for what end he was sent, but rising to ... foolish questions,"
(Tit.3:9). To such insanity have some ... this view is, all men of sound judgment at ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 12 christ to perform.htm

In the Temple at the Feast of Tabernacles.
... the glory of him that sent him, the ... extraordinary conduct indicated insanity, and
insanity was usually ... according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxxviii in the temple at.htm

'He is Beside Himself'
... to be plainly implied in that allegation of insanity"lofty aims ... of man, and the sense
of being sent by God ... matter to be judged of you, or of man's judgment. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/he is beside himself.htm

Regeneration by Faith. Of Repentance.
... be incredible that the human mind could proceed to such insanity, did they ... He was
sent to bless the unworthy, but by "turning away ... "Keep ye judgment," saith he ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 3 regeneration by faith.htm

The Swift Destroyer
... What insanity his lingering must have seemed to the ... the mysterious pair whom He had
sent to Sodom ... contrast with the terrible revelation of judgment which follows ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the swift destroyer.htm

Preach the Gospel
... showed that God was infinitely just if he sent men to ... May I not tell them of judgment
to come, of ... an academy for young gentlemen, but his insanity had obliged ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/preach the gospel.htm

The Seventh Book
... sought peace and we denied it; they sent bishops to ... are afflicted are indeed smitten
by the judgment of God ... out of his senses by any sort of insanity, say such ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the seventh book.htm

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