Deeper Reflection
A 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.

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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