vessels of honor
Isaías Rivera
(Audio: Spanish)
SUMMARY: The passage in Daniel 5 shows us the importance of remembering who we are and who our God is, even when we are in a foreign land or culture. Daniel and his friends refused to eat the food offered to them and remained faithful to God, even in Babylon. Beltsazar, on the other hand, forgot about God and dishonored the vessels of honor from the temple. When he saw the hand writing on the wall, his conscience reminded him of his wrongdoings and he became pale and fearful. He made the mistake of calling upon sorcerers instead of remembering that Daniel was a vessel of honor chosen by God. We must also remember to honor what God has given us and not dishonor it, even when others around us do.
The sermon discusses the story of Daniel and Belshazzar from the Bible. Belshazzar, the king, had a dream that troubled him and he called upon his sorcerers, astrologers, and wise men to interpret it, but none could do so. Eventually, the queen reminded him of Daniel, a man who had wisdom and intelligence similar to the gods. Daniel was brought before the king and told him the dream's interpretation. The sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing ourselves as vessels of honor and not selling what God has given us for temporary worldly gain. It encourages listeners to hold onto the blessings that come from God and to remember that our eternal success is built on eternal life.
The sermon discusses the story of Daniel and Belshazzar from the Bible. Belshazzar, the king, had a dream that troubled him and he called upon his sorcerers, astrologers, and wise men to interpret it, but none could do so. Eventually, the queen reminded him of Daniel, a man who had wisdom and intelligence similar to the gods. Daniel was brought before the king and told him the dream's interpretation. The sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing ourselves as vessels of honor and not selling what God has given us for temporary worldly gain. It encourages listeners to hold onto the blessings that come from God and to remember that our eternal success is built on eternal life.
Daniel, chapter 5, is a well-known passage, but this morning I want to emphasize how you and I see ourselves reflected in this passage, either we are Daniel or we are Beltsazar. This passage in the Book of Daniel is as if God had paused in Daniel's walk and many of us see ourselves reflected in or identify with Daniel because he was an immigrant and apart from being an immigrant in Babylon his nation, his people were slaves . And one of the things that draws my attention to Daniel is that he didn't forget who he was and he didn't forget who his God was.
Let us continue to the context that precedes this passage. Much has been made of the scene when they recently arrive in Babylon and are confronted with the idea of eating the food that everyone else was eating. They decide not to eat that food, they are not in Israel, they are not in Jerusalem, they are in a foreign land and they could act differently, no one would notice; but they did not forget where they came from or the instructions they had received as children.
Let us continue to the context that precedes this passage. Much has been made of the scene when they recently arrive in Babylon and are confronted with the idea of eating the food that everyone else was eating. They decide not to eat that food, they are not in Israel, they are not in Jerusalem, they are in a foreign land and they could act differently, no one would notice; but they did not forget where they came from or the instructions they had received as children.
