Deeper ReflectionA picture of practical discipleship – in three ways, can be formed
from the speech of the godly Daniel to the godless Belshazzar
(vv.18-23).Careful Use of Words: Note the difference in approach and tone
that Daniel used in talking to Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar over the
same issue of pride. Daniel spoke to Nebuchadnezzar with “pastoral
warmth, a reluctant but truthful interpretation of the dream”
1
(Dan 4:19), and earnestly advised him to repent of his sins to avert God’s judgment
(Dan 4:27). But he confronted Belshazzar with “a more characteristically
prophetic message, a direct word of outrage, divine justice and holiness
to a man who was deliberately mocking God”
2
(vv.22-23). In both cases, Daniel spoke with “an apt answer” and “a timely word” (Prov 15:23).
Grateful Use of Gifts: Belshazzar refused to acknowledge that his
reign and everything that came with it were sovereign gifts from God. As
a result, “those very gifts became his downfall”
3 . With the spiritual gifts
endowed on them, the Corinthians regarded themselves as spiritually
superior; and thinking that they were inherently gifted, they “boast as if
you had not received it” from God (1 Cor 4:7).
Faithful Use of Truth: Belshazzar exalted himself against God, “even
though you knew” the theological truth and historical fact of God’s
sovereignty in humbling the prideful Nebuchadnezzar (vv.22-23). God
has given us His truth in Scripture, for we are to “live by every word that
proceeds from the mouth of God” (Deut 8:3). Faithful use of truth means
we diligently seek to know and understand God’s Word rightly and
consciously live by it.
1 Christopher J. H. Wright, Hearing the Message of Daniel: Sustaining Faith in Today’s World (Zondervan, 2017), 116
2 Christopher J. H. Wright, 116
3 Christopher J. H. Wright, 118
