“…Belshazzar…you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk wine from them..the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored.” (Daniel 5:22-23)
In chapter 4 we see Daniel as an example of showing compassion to our enemies, desiring repentance and forgiveness for king Nebuchadnezzar, even if his sin causes pain and harm to God’s people. Here he seems more than happy (he definitely is less reluctant) to pronounce God’s judgment on a king.
Is Daniel being less respectful to King Belshazzar than King Nebuchadnezzar? If so, is this related to Belshazzar using the cups dedicated for the service of Yahweh for a toast to toast his own gods? What does blasphemy look like today? Is it ever appropriate to be disrespectful respectful to people?