Daniel 5:1-31 Dare to Honor God

Theological Proposition/Focus: God deserves honor that is far beyond anything else.

Homiletical Proposition/Application: We must be careful to ensure that we honor God and reject blasphemy and sacrilege

Introduction:

Setting the Stage:

Setting the stage for Daniel chapter 5 is a challenging task. We ended Daniel 4 with Nebuchadnezzar still on the throne and finally, it seems, having learned his lesson on pride. Chapter 5 picks up much later.

After Nebuchadnezzar died his son Abel-Marduk (known as Evil-Merodach in the Bible) took the throne. Abel-Marduk was not the oldest son of Nebuchadnezzar but for some reason was appointed by Nebuchadnezzar as the heir. After two years his brother-in-law Neriglissar usurped the throne and had Abel Marduk executed. Neriglissar reigned for just under 4 years until he died. The son of Neriglissar reigned for only 3 months before his cousin Belshazzar led a coup, killed him, and put Belshazzar's father Nabonidus on the throne.

Ok, if that is not enough family drama for you I don't know what is. Let me summarize. Belshazzar was a grandson to Nebuchadnezzar (the NIV use of "father" in verses 2, 11, 13, and 18 can also mean ancestor in general). But more than just being a grandson, the reality we face is that Belshazzar comes to power through a whole lot of drama. In many ways, Belshazzar has taken power. I think it is fair to read this as a man who does not have a lot of respect for what was done in the past. Belshazzar does what he wants and doesn't really care about consequences, if he doesn't have it, he simply takes it.