Daniel 05:01-31 The Hand Writing on the Wall

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Text: Daniel 5:1-31

Introduction

1. So far in our study of the book of Daniel, we have seen…

a. The faith of young Daniel, who made the commitment not to defile himself – Daniel 1

b. The first dream of Nebuchadnezzar, interpreted by Daniel – Daniel 2

1) Prophesying the rise and fall of four world empires

2) Foretelling the establishment of the kingdom of Christ

c. The faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the face of fire – Daniel 3

d. The second dream of Nebuchadnezzar and it is fulfillment, confirming that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men – Daniel 4

2. We now come to Daniel 5, where we find an incident familiar to many…

a. The event is often called: “The Hand Writing On The Wall”

b. As with any Old Testament account, it was written for our admonition – cf. 1 Corinthians 10:11

Body

I. BOOZE AND IDOLATRY IN A KING’S COURT (Daniel 5:1-4)

A. BELSHAZZAR, THE KING…

1. The time is now about 539 B.C.

a. Nebuchadnezzar had died in 562 B.C.

b. He was succeeded by his son, Evil-Merodach – cf. 2 Kings 25:27

1) After two years he was assassinated by Nergilissar, his brother- in- law

2) Who in turn died four years later (556 B.C. ), leaving the throne to his infant son, Labashi- Marduk, who was soon deposed by a priestly revolution

c. Nabonidus, a former priest under Nebuchadnezzar, was made king in 556 B.C.

1) Who was interested more in scholarly and religious pursuits

2) So he appointed his son Belshazzar as ruler of Babylon in his place

d. Belshazzar therefore became co-regent in 550 B.C.

1) He was “second” in command

2) Which is why he offered Daniel only the “third” position – cf. Daniel 5:16, 29

3) Nebuchadnezzar is called his “father” – Daniel 5:2, 11,13,18,22

a) Nabodonius (Belshazzar’s father) may have been Nebuchadnezzar’s son in-law, and it was common to refer to one’s ancestor as “father”

b) Or “father” may be used figuratively

2. Belshazzar throws a big feast – Daniel 5:1-3

a. Nebuchadnezzar had taken gold and silver vessels from the temple in Jerusalem – cf. 2 Chronicles 36:10

b. Belshazzar adds insult to injury by using them in this feast

B. THEY PRAISED THE GODS OF GOLD AND SILVER…

1. The king and guests foolishly praised the creation rather than the Creator

2. Would we ever stoop so low?

a. Worship the gods of silver and gold?

b. Become guilty of idolatry?

3. We do if we succumb to the sin of covetousness! – Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5

a. When we make mammon (material riches) our god – cf. Matthew 6:24

b. When we make created things the prime focus of our time and interest

II. PANIC AND HUMILIATION IN A KING’S COURT (Daniel 5:5-9)

A. THE HAND WRITING ON THE WALL…

1. The fingers of a man’s hands appear – Daniel 5:5a

2. They write on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace – Daniel 5:5b

3. Belshazzar sees the part of the hand that wrote – Daniel 5:5c

B. THE QUAKING KING…

1. In the case of King Belshazzar…

a. One moment his heart is puffed up with pride

b. The next moment, his knees are knocking together – Daniel 5:6

2. A vivid illustration of: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” – Proverbs 16:18

3. All he saw was a man’s hand…

a. What if he had seen the face of God?

b. If just a tiny manifestation of God’s power had that effect, then what would be the effect of coming face to face with God?

4. What about the coming Judgment? Will we be able to stand?

a. Not if we are wicked – cf. Psalm 1:5

b. But we can if we have pure hearts and holy hands – cf. Psalm 24:3-5

C. THE HELPLESS ADVISORS…

1. Once again, a king appeals first to those unable to help – Daniel 5:7-9

2. Just as Nebuchadnezzar did in Daniel 2

3. People often do the same thing today in times of crisis

a. They go to the wrong place for help

1) Looking to their own strength or wisdom

2) Or that of other people

b. When they need to trust in God first – Proverbs 3:5-10; Matthew 6:33

III. THE ARRIVAL OF GOD’S MAN (Daniel 5:10-16)

A. THE ADVICE OF THE QUEEN…

1. The queen was likely the “queen mother”, for the wives were already present – Daniel 5:10-12; cf. 5:2

2. Note that the queen was not present at the banquet…

B. DANIEL BEFORE THE OFFENDER…

1. Twice the king says “I have heard of you” – Daniel 5:13-16

a. It sounds as though the king knew him only by reputation

b. He evidently had not made much effort to know Daniel prior to this event

2. People in the world are not much different

a. They make little effort to get to know the people of God

b. But in times of sickness, trials, and death, where do they turn? To the church, of course

IV. THE INDICTMENT (Daniel 5:17-24)

A. DANIEL REJECTS THE KING’S REWARD…

1. At this point the character of Daniel really shines – Daniel 5:17

2. Unlike many, who teach only if given gifts (or “love offerings”)

3. Daniel gladly tells the true for free

B. DANIEL RECOUNTS A LESSON FROM HISTORY…

1. The lesson from Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream is recounted – Daniel 5:18-21

2. We would do well to learn from history

a. Those who ignore history, are doomed to repeat it

b. This is especially true with inspired history!

C. DANIEL REBUKES THE KING…

1. Belshazzar did not learn from his father’s experience – Daniel 5:22-24

a. He exalted himself, when he should have glorified God

b. This handwriting on the wall was sent

2. When will people learn from history?

a. Should we not learn from the pride of Pharaoh in the book of Exodus?

b. Should we not learn from the murmuring of the Israelites in the wilderness?

3. Indeed, inspired history was written for our learning! – Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11

V. THE SENTENCE AND EXECUTION (Daniel 5:25-31)

A. THE HAND WRITING ON THE WALL EXPLAINED…

1. What was meant by: “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin” – Daniel 5:25-28

a. Mene – God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it

b. Tekel – You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting

c. Peres (Upharsin) – Your kingdom has been divided, given to the Medes and Persians

d. The message of Daniel’s interpretation is that Belshazzar’s kingdom had been numbered for destruction. The king himself is weighed and found wanting. The kingdom was to be taken away and given to the Medes and the Persians.

B. A THIRD OF NOTHING…

1. Belshazzar is true to his promise – Daniel 5:29

2. But as we will soon see, what he gave Daniel was a “third of nothing”

C. “THIS NIGHT YOUR SOUL WILL BE REQUIRED OF YOU…”

1. How quickly the proud and boastful can fall, despite power and wealth – Daniel 5:30-31

a. Herodotus indicates that Babylon fell as a consequence of the diverting of the waters of the Euphrates, allowing the enemy to enter under the city walls

b. Other sources explain it as the result of treason and subterfuge from within, resulting in the opening of the gates to the conquering armies

2. This is reminiscent of Jesus’ story of the rich fool – Luke 12:15-21

a. Boasting one day

b. Dead the next

Conclusion

1. The announcement of doom in this story was provoked in part because…

a. The king misused and abused some pieces of metal

b. These pieces of metal were God’s pieces of metal

c. For such disregard of what belonged to God, a kingdom would be buried!

2. Remember that we are the temple of God today – 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

a. If God did not view lightly the misuse of His vessels then…

b. Will He be casual about the impenitent abuse of His church today?

3. Just as He destroyed the one who defiled His temple of old, so He will destroy those who defile His temple (i.e., the church) today!

Let’s not wait for “The Hand Writing On The Wall” to tell us it is too late, that judgment has been passed and the sentence is final.

Let’s instead heed “The Hand That Wrote On The Ground” (i.e., Jesus, John 8:6, 8), while there is still time for mercy and forgiveness!