In the tangible world of our existence (this would also be true of the non-tangible realm), there is a set pyramidal order, a divinely established hierarchy with the trinity (Father-Son-Holy Ghost) at the uppermost echelon (the pinnacle, the preeminent spot), and the homo sapiens and angelic beings below not necessarily in that order. Tied to the set pyramidal order are

(a)   established responses. An example of an established response is men are meant to be worshippers, while God is the object of our worship.

(b)  established roles. An example of an established role is Human beings are regarded as servants, while God is master.

Speaking of servanthood, Jer 27 tags Nebuchadnezzar with the “servant” label (read Jer 27:1-8). Who else is referred to as a servant? Paul was a servant of the Lord. So was Peter, Jude, Epaphras, Timothy, James, Moses, John. Jesus was a servant. Raggs is a servant, so is Sam, Nicholas and James.

Going back to the pyramidal concept, God could easily have set the pyramid in stone but because Yahweh has conferred to humanity free will, the order or hierarchy is set in malleable play dough. As malleable as the pyramid is, it is not to be tampered with. It is perilous to tamper with the pyramid. You cannot tamper with the pyramid with impunity.

Two ways that we tamper with the pyramid:

(1) We tamper with the pyramid every time we take the glory for an accomplishment that is clearly attributable to God. Daniel serves an example of someone who was careful not to take the glory (2:21-23; 27-28), Nebuchadnezzar is an example of someone who did take the glory (Dan 2:37; 4:17, 25, 29-30). For taking the glory, for tampering with the pyramid, he was punished (4:31-33).

(2) We tamper with the pyramid when we substitute God with another object of worship (Dan 3:1, 4-6). Idolatry may not be the sin that so easily besets you and me  (even though I wonder whether we are not engaging in idolatry when we say “so and so is my idol”), but anytime we are fixiated with a certain goal or desire and if meeting the goal or satisfying the desire means breaking all the commandments and we are still willing to meet the goal or satisfy the desire, then God is no longer the object of our worship, the goal or the desire is.