Ob and In:
1. The repeated phrase in v.1-4
the vessels were taken from the temple in Jerusalem, v.2, from the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem v.3.
While they drank they praise the idols v.4
King Belshazzar was the descendent of king Nebuchadnezzar (his father) v.2 who knew Who God is by a hard lesson in ch 4;
these information was repeated by Daniel in v.22-23
2. What should Belshazzar had learned from Nebuchadnezzar was that those who are proud and do not understand that the most high God rules over human kingdoms, and he appoints over them whomever he wishes would be deposed from the throne.
For Neb he became like an animal, for Bel, the end of Babylon.
3. Pride:
a. How did Neb showed his pride
People were trembling with fear before him (because of God), but he killed whom he wished, he spared whom he wished, he exalted whom he wished, and he brought low whom he wished
The Bible described this "killing/sparing/exalting/bring down whom he wished" as "arrogant" and "filled with pride." When a person do not honor God as the One Who gave him the power and use the power as oneself wishes that is beyond what God intended and that is arrogant and pride.
(NET) The point of describing Nebuchadnezzar as arrogant is that he had usurped divine prerogatives, and because of his immense arrogance God had dealt decisively with him.
b. With Neb in mind, what Bel doing (using the vessels in His temple to drink while praising idols) was a way of saying he did not want to submit to the statement, "the most high God rules over human kingdoms, and he appoints over them whomever he wishes."
Reflection: When Neb did not really change his pride his descendent picked up from him. They will not learn the lesson and submit to God. Do I set an example of partial obedient to my next generation?
Pride means doing whatever I wish. Freedom without realizing the limit of Who God is is extremely dangerous. May God help me to realize Who He is and help me to live under that boundary.
It only takes 1 night for the great kingdom of Babylon to be taken over. If we violate God that is the most dangerous thing. Rather than fearing the theft, the breaking in, or being kidnapping, fear God.
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