The Writing On The Wall (Daniel 5)
Imagine a grand palace in ancient Babylon, glittering under the night sky. It's so vast and splendid that it seems like something out of a fairy tale. In this palace, there's a king named Belshazzar, who decided to throw the most extravagant party the city had ever seen.
Now, picture tables laden with golden dishes, mountains of delicious food, and rivers of the finest wine. Music fills the air, and laughter echoes through the halls. a descendant of Nebuchadnezzar named Belshazzar, sitting on his throne, feels on top of the world, untouchable and powerful. But little did he know, this very night, his life would change forever.
In our journey through the book of Daniel, we've seen how God works in mysterious and mighty ways. How He saved Daniel and his friends from the king’s wrath, how He walked with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. Today, we turn the page to another chapter, another extraordinary story — Daniel chapter 5.
This chapter isn't just about a king's feast or a mysterious message. It's a story that mirrors our own lives. It's about youthful pride — the kind of pride that makes us think we're invincible, that we don't need anyone, not even God. It's a tale that warns us about what happens when we forget who truly holds the power in this universe.
But it's also a story of hope in elderly wisdom, showing us that even in moments of great arrogance and fear, God is present. And in this tale, we find Daniel, a man of unwavering faith and humility, standing as a beacon of light amidst the darkness of pride and power.
So, as we delve into this story, let's open our hearts and minds. Let's learn from King Belshazzar's mistakes and Daniel's wisdom. Whether you're young or old, this story has a message for you — a message about the dangers of pride, the power of humility, and the unshakable strength of trust in God. Let's discover together how a single night in Babylon can teach us lessons for a lifetime.
Pride and Arrogance of Belshazzar (5:1-12)
In the heart of Babylon, under the rule of King Belshazzar, the city glowed with the light of a thousand lamps. The king, draped in robes of purple and gold, sat on his throne, his heart swelling with pride. "Belshazzar made a great feast for a thousand of his lords and drank wine in front of the thousand."
As the wine flowed and the laughter grew louder, Belshazzar’s arrogance soared to new heights. In a moment of reckless bravado, he ordered something unthinkable. He called for the golden and silver vessels that his father, Nebuchadnezzar, had taken from the temple in Jerusalem. These sacred vessels, once part of holy worship, were brought out to serve wine in this pagan feast.
The king and his guests, their judgment clouded by wine and mirth, began to drink from these sacred cups. "They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone." In their revelry, they mocked the God of Israel, not realizing the gravity of their actions.
But then, in the midst of their laughter and blasphemy, something extraordinary happened. Suddenly, the fingers of a human hand appeared and began writing on the plaster wall of the king's palace. The words, glowing in the dim light, sent a shiver down the spine of every onlooker.
King Belshazzar's face turned pale; his thoughts alarmed him, his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together. The once proud and boisterous king was now trembling in fear. "The king called loudly to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers." He promised that whoever could read this writing and make known its interpretation would be clothed with purple, have a chain of gold around his neck, and be the third ruler in the kingdom.
But despite all the wisdom of Babylon, not one could interpret the writing. "Then all the king's wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or make known to the king the interpretation." The room, once filled with the sound of merriment, fell into a deafening silence. The king’s wise men stood baffled, their faces blank with confusion and fear.
And so, King Belshazzar sat, his heart pounding, staring at the mysterious words on the wall, his kingdom’s wisdom failing him. The once lively feast had turned into a scene of utter bewilderment and terror.
As the king and his nobles sat in stunned silence, an unexpected voice cut through the tension. The queen, hearing the commotion, entered the banquet hall. "O king, live forever! Let not your thoughts alarm you or your color change." She spoke of a man in the kingdom in whom was "the spirit of the holy gods." This man, Daniel, had shown an ability to interpret dreams and solve difficult problems during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar. "Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation."
Daniel’s Wisdom (13-31)
With hope flickering like a distant star, Belshazzar ordered for Daniel to be brought in. Daniel stood before the king, his demeanor calm and composed, a stark contrast to the panicked crowd around him. The king offered him the same rewards he had promised to the others, but Daniel refused them. "Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another." His allegiance was not for sale; his service was for God alone.
Daniel then reminded Belshazzar of Nebuchadnezzar's pride and downfall, a lesson the current king had forgotten or ignored. "You knew all this, yet you have not humbled your heart." He rebuked Belshazzar for his arrogance in using the sacred vessels for his feast and worshipping false gods, despite knowing the true God.
Turning to the writing, Daniel revealed its meaning. "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN." MENE sounds like “numbered” in their language. TEKEL sounds like weighed and PARSIN means divided. So, to them, it sounds like “Numbered, numbered, weighed, and divided. Daniel explained, "God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians." The words were a divine verdict against Belshazzar for his pride and irreverence.
That very night, as Daniel had interpreted, the prophecy was fulfilled. Belshazzar was killed, and Darius the Mede received the kingdom. The proud king who had defied God was brought low, and his kingdom passed to another.
Daniel, however, remained steadfast throughout these tumultuous events. His trust in God unwavering, he faced the challenges with courage and integrity, a light shining in the darkness of a collapsing empire.
From Belshazzar’s Pride to Daniel’s Wisdom
In the twilight of his life, Daniel stands as a towering figure of wisdom and faith. His journey from a young captive to an elder statesman, unwavering in his devotion to God, offers profound lessons for us today. As we reflect on Daniel’s character, we confront the deeper questions of our own lives.
Understanding Our Vulnerabilities
Belshazzar’s story is not just an ancient tale; it's a mirror reflecting our own tendencies towards pride and self-reliance. Why are we the way we are? Often, like Belshazzar, we find ourselves seduced by the trappings of our achievements, status, or possessions. We forget that these are fleeting and can lead us away from the truth. The Book of Proverbs warns us, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).
If we ever start to think that we have what we have without God or that we don’t need him, we are on the path of pride and destruction is soon to follow. Time and again, God destroys nations due to their pride. It might not be a big deal to us, but it’s a big deal to God. We, like Belshazzar and ignore all the warnings and refuse to listen to the lessons learned by those who have gone on before us, but our foolishness will be our end.
Cultivating Humility and Trust in God
Daniel’s life, in contrast, exemplifies humility and an unwavering trust in God. Despite his high status, he never lost sight of who he truly served. As we grow older, like Daniel, our wisdom should also deepen. But wisdom is more than knowledge; it’s recognizing our dependence on God. James 3:13 asks, “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.”
If we want to be like Daniel in this text, we have to be strong in Character. We should regularly examine our actions and intentions. Are we driven by pride or humility? We also need to prioritize time in Scripture and prayer, and learn to serve without seeking reward or recognition.
Applying the Lessons
How can we do better? It starts with a heart change. Pride is deeply rooted in our hearts and Satan is working to build that pride up so that we attack the innocent and turn our face against God. We must recognize our limitations and put our trust in God, as Daniel did. This shift in perspective changes how we view success, challenges, and our purpose in life. As Romans 12:2 reminds us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Conclusion: A Journey of Transformation
The story of Daniel and Belshazzar is more than a historical account; it's a roadmap for our spiritual journey. It challenges us to examine our lives, to turn away from the prideful path of Belshazzar and embrace the wisdom and faith of Daniel. In doing so, we find our true strength not in ourselves, but in our unwavering trust in God. Let’s walk this journey together, transforming our lives from the inside out, as we strive to be lights in the darkness of our world.