Reading the Handwriting on the Wall - Daniel 5:1-31 - September 30, 2007

Sunday School Lesson – Reading the Handwriting on the Wall – September 30, 2007

This is the final lesson in our series of study.

Lessons for September 16 and 23 are missing because I was in Poland with a mission team from our church.

Special thanks to all who prayed for us. Without a doubt we knew we had prayer support as we ministered in Poland.

To me it was clear that our LORD is working in the hearts and lives of the Polish people, especially the youth and young adults. This age group is seeking truth. They have many questions about the Bible and how it relates to life. I see Poland developing economically each year that I go. It is also becoming more westernized. I believe we will see a great revival in Europe beginning with the young people.

It is interesting that our lesson is titled, “Reading the Handwriting on the Wall.” The lesson deals with a different subject but it is all about GOD revealing Himself to a nation and then to the world. GOD is sovereign in all matters.

Our scripture is Daniel 5:1-31.

GOD is sovereign. We see in our study that GOD dealt with Nebuchadnezzar over a period of time and the result was that King Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged the GOD of Israel as his GOD. GOD looks upon the heart of all of us and knows the potential we all have.

King Nebuchadnezzar died in 539 BC. He was succeeded by his son Evil-merodach (EE vihl mih ROH dak). He reigned for a short time and was followed by two (2) weak kings. The last ruler of Babylon was Nabondius (nab uh NIGH duhs). Nabondius was not a descendant of Nebuchadnezzar. There is speculation that Nabondius possibly married a daughter of Nebuchadnezzar. This would make Belshazzar a descendant of Nebuchadnezzar through his mother, making Belshazzar the grandson.

Now to further complicate things, Belshazzar was the king in charge while his father, King Nabondius, was off fighting the Medes and Persians and who had been captured by the time of Belshazzar’s feast.

Verse 22 tells us that Belshazzar knew what his grandfather had gone through to finally acknowledge the true GOD but Belshazzar himself never changed his heart toward the true GOD. We must keep in mind GOD knows our hearts. The final blow came when Belshazzar ordered that sacred vessels that Nebuchadnezzar brought from the temple in Jerusalem to be used to drink a toast to the false gods of Babylon.

Let’s look at this situation for a moment. GOD did not cause Nebuchadnezzar trouble when he took the vessels from the temple and placed them in the pagan temple. GOD knew the heart of Nebuchadnezzar and his potential for acknowledging HIM as the true GOD. HE, also, knew the vessels would play an important role in the future of Babylon to test Belshazzar’s heart. We get to see that role in our lesson today.

Belshazzar was in charge so he threw a big party. Often when people come into power it affects each one differently. It is often misused. Here is a case where Belshazzar thought he was above all even the true GOD of the Heavens.

Let’s read Daniel 5:1-31 with comments.
Belshazzar’s Feast
1 King Belshazzar[1] Dn 7:1; 8:1 held a great feast for 1,000 of his nobles and drank wine in their presence. 2 Under the influence of[2] Or When he tasted the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels[3] 1 Kg 7:51; Jr 52:19 that his predecessor[4] Or father, or grandfather Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, wives, and concubines could drink from them. 3 So they brought in the gold[5] Theod, Vg add and silver vessels that had been taken from the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, wives, and concubines drank from them. 4 They drank the wine and praised their gods made of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.[6] Isa 46:6

King Belshazzar had a great feast of 1,000 important people in his life, which included nobles, wives and concubines. Belshazzar got drunk and ordered that the sacred vessels which had been taken from the house of GOD be brought to them so they could drink wine from them and praise their gods. This was the last straw and GOD took action.

Often when we are under the influence of alcohol, drugs or anything that compromises our ability to think and reason clearly (bitterness, jealousy, hatred, anger, ego, selfishness, love of things or power, etc.) we make bad decisions. Belshazzar made a bad decision. He likely wanted to show his guests that he was all powerful and would show it by drinking toasts to his gods using the sacred vessels of the Israelites. He knew the GOD of Israel had protected the Israelites and that his grandfather had finally acknowledged the true GOD as his GOD. His decision reveals the attitude of his heart.

The Handwriting on the Wall
5 At that moment the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and began writing on the plaster of the king’s palace wall next to the lampstand. As the king watched the hand[7] Lit part of the hand that was writing, 6 his face turned pale,[8] Lit writing, 6 the king’s brightness changed and his thoughts so terrified him that his hip joints shook and his knees knocked together. 7 The king called out to bring in the mediums, Chaldeans, and astrologers. He said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this inscription and gives me its interpretation will be clothed in purple, have a gold chain around his neck,[9] Gn 41:42 and have the third highest position in the kingdom.” 8 So all the king’s wise men came in, but none could read the inscription or make known its interpretation to him. 9 Then King Belshazzar became even more terrified, his face turned pale,[10] Lit his brightness changed on him and his nobles were bewildered. 10 Because of the outcry of the king and his nobles, the queen[11] Perhaps the queen mother came to the banquet hall. “May the king live forever,” she said. “Don’t let your thoughts terrify you or your face be pale.[12] Lit your brightness change 11 There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the days of your predecessor he was found to have insight, intelligence, and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods. Your predecessor, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the diviners, mediums, Chaldeans, and astrologers. Your own predecessor, the king, 12 [did this]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. because Daniel, the one the king named Belteshazzar, was found to have an extraordinary spirit, knowledge and perception, and the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems. Therefore, summon Daniel, and he will give the interpretation.”

The handwriting on the wall got Belshazzar’s attention. He was visibly and physically shaken. His knees are knocking together. He knew this is something very serious and supernatural. But he does not connect the phenomenon with the true GOD. So he called in his wizards. He promised them great things if they can tell him the meaning of the message on the wall. However, they are unable to reveal the message.

It is interesting that the Queen came into the banquet and told Belshazzar about Daniel. The Queen was likely his mother or it could have been his grandmother. She remembered Daniel, who was then about 85 years old.

So why did GOD reveal Himself by writing on the wall? Of course we can only speculate. It did reveal to all in the banquet that the true GOD is real. GOD wrote on the wall for all to see. Rather than resulting in Belshazzar acknowledging GOD as the true GOD, he sought an explanation from his wizards.

Many of us see the things of GOD and seek an explanation from a variety of sources. We need to go to GOD Himself and seek HIM.

Daniel went before the King.
13 Then Daniel was brought before the king. The king said to him, “Are you Daniel, one of the Judean exiles that my predecessor the king brought from Judah? 14 I’ve heard that you have the spirit of the gods in you, and that you have insight, intelligence, and extraordinary wisdom. 15 Now the wise men and mediums were brought before me to read this inscription and make its interpretation known to me, but they could not give its interpretation. 16 However, I have heard about you that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Therefore, if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation, you will be clothed in purple, have a gold chain around your neck, and have the third highest position in the kingdom.”

Belshazzar questioned Daniel and once he was convinced he was the Daniel his grandfather used to solve problems, Belshazzar promised him great things.

17 Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts, and give your rewards to someone else; however, I will read the inscription for the king and make the interpretation known to him.

Daniel told the king to keep his gifts. He would give the king the interpretation.

18 Your Majesty, the • Most High God gave sovereignty, greatness, glory, and majesty to your predecessor Nebuchadnezzar.

Daniel honored the king by referring to him as “Your Majesty”. Then Daniel quickly focuses on GOD. It was GOD who was the secret of Nebuchadnezzar’s success. Belshazzar chose not to acknowledge the true GOD Nebuchadnezzar finally acknowledged. Daniel knows Belshazzar does not acknowledge the true GOD but has foolishly clung to the false gods of Babylon.

19 Because of the greatness He gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages were terrified and fearful of him.[13] Dn 6:26 He killed anyone he wanted and kept alive anyone he wanted; he exalted anyone he wanted and humbled anyone he wanted. 20 But when his heart was exalted and his spirit became arrogant, he was deposed from his royal throne and his glory was taken from him. 21 He was driven away from people, his mind was like an animal’s, he lived with the wild donkeys, he was fed grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with dew from the sky until he acknowledged that the Most High God is ruler over the kingdom of men and sets anyone He wants over it.

Daniel wanted to drive home to Belshazzar the point that GOD is sovereign and orders the steps of mankind. HE leads a person to the point of either acknowledging HIM as the true GOD or rejecting HIM. Nebuchadnezzar had to go through a terrible ordeal before he acknowledged GOD as the true GOD. However, Belshazzar’s heart had not been changed.

22 “But you his successor, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this. 23 Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels from His house[14] = God’s temple were brought to you, and as you and your nobles, wives, and concubines drank wine from them, you praised the gods made of silver and gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or understand. But you have not glorified the God who holds your life-breath in His hand and who controls the whole course of your life.[15] Lit and all your ways belong to Him 24 Therefore, He sent the hand, and this writing was inscribed.

Daniel made it clear to Belshazzar that his heart arrogant toward the thing of the true GOD. Belshazzar worshiped gods that were nothing but manmade objects and were powerless.

Often many of us place our hope in things that are meaningless. We read our horoscopes and do all sorts of things to keep us from having bad luck. Our only true protection comes from GOD.

In the case of Belshazzar, GOD revealed Himself to him by writing on the wall. GOD makes Himself clear to all. Will we accept HIM or reject HIM? Belshazzar chose to reject HIM even in the face of GOD revealing Himself to him and all those attending the banquet. Did others choose to acknowledge GOD as the true GOD? Only eternity will reveal that answer.

The Inscription’s Interpretation
25 “This is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN 26 This is the interpretation of the message: MENE[16] Or numbered, or a mina; = a weight of 500 to 600 grams [means that]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. God has numbered [the days of]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. your kingdom and brought it to an end. 27 TEKEL[17] Or weighed, or a shekel; = a weight of 10 grams [means that]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. you have been weighed in the balance and found deficient. 28 PERES[18] Or divided, or half a shekel; sg form of PARSIN in v. 25 [means that]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” 29 Then Belshazzar gave an order, and they clothed Daniel in purple, [placed]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. a gold chain around his neck, and issued a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. 30 That very night Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans was killed, 31 [19] Dn 6:1 in Hb and Darius the Mede[20] Dn 6:1; 9:1; 11:1 received the kingdom at the age of 62.

GOD wants us to respect the things that are sacred. Often we become flippant with the things GOD considers sacred. When we do, it reveals the attitude of our heart toward GOD.

Daniel gave Belshazzar the interpretation. Belshazzar bestowed on Daniel what he had promised. Was Belshazzar trying to bargain or simply a man of his word? We do not know. But the fact is GOD showed Belshazzar and all the 1,000 that HE is sovereign.

GOD knows all and we know from history that Belshazzar’s father had been captured and Belshazzar was the heir apparent to the throne but GOD saw his heart and ended his reign. The great Babylonian Empire fell to the Medes. Belshazzar lost his life and the kingdom as well.

We must make sure we do not miss our opportunity to acknowledge CHRIST as our SAVIOR and LORD. If you have not asked HIM to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life, do it now. Loosing your life is one thing but loosing eternity is quite another. It is your decision. Why wait. None of us are promised our next breath. GOD is sovereign and gives every breath and beat of our heart.

We see in verse 27 that Belshazzar was weighed in the balance and found deficient. I can tell you any human weighed in GOD’S balance will come up deficient. But our lesson is from the Old Testament. Thanks to GOD we live in the New Testament and those who have been born-again through CHRIST live under grace.

John 5:24 to me is the essence of the gospel. JESUS is talking.

24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

Do you want to know for sure you will go to heaven? Do you want to escape judgment? Verse 24 is your assurance. Give your life to CHRIST right now.

Does this mean we will live a prefect life? NO! But 1 John 1:9 tells us to:

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Do It!!! NOW!!!