Daniel: Humble Servant, Faithful God - Merciful Discipline

As we continue in chapter five, Daniel’s words to the king are important for God’s people. Daniel recounts the rise, fall, and renewal of Nebuchadnezzar. He was given everything, but failed to humble himself before God, so God mercifully humbled him so that he could know the Lord. Then Daniel says, “And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven.” (vv22,23) What does this say to Israel? Well, put Israel in the place of Nebuchadnezzar or Belshazzar. “Israel, you have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this. Israel, you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven.”

Two lessons come from Daniel’s words. First, Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, and Israel all share the same sins. Israel can’t stand in judgment of these pagan kings for they had followed them into idolatry and all the sins of paganism. God had been generous to each of them, but they lived separately from him, exalting themselves, worshipping the created things rather than the Creator. The drama with these kings carries a message for God’s people. Israel is in Babylon because of their idolatry.

The second lesson concerns God’s mercy. Two kings, Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar, one was shown mercy, while the other faced the judgment of God. Which would Israel be? The clue is that Israel is being humbled not destroyed. God could have destroyed them like Belshazzar, but in faithfulness to his commitment they are shown mercy. The question remains, how will they respond to God’s merciful humbling? Join us Sunday as we consider this text.