The Hand Writing on the Wall (Part 2)
Dan. 5:12 – 31
Introduction
The queen mother came due to the commotion and astonishment in the palace. Knowing what has happened advised the king to summon Daniel and interpret the writings on the wall.
I. The King’s Offer (Dan. 5:13-16)
A. Having heard Daniel’s credentials from the Queen mother, he was summoned in the presence of the king.
B. The king seemingly belittled Daniel, referring to him as one of the children of captivity from Judah. He was from the same land whose God Belshazzar was holding in contempt! (vv. 2-3).
C. The king then relayed to Daniel what he had heard from the queen (vv. 11-12) about Daniel’s ability.
D. The failure of all the other wise men in the kingdom is reported to Daniel in the words of verse 15. Daniel was being asked to do what no other wise man in Babylon could do, all having failed before Daniel was summoned.
E. He promised Daniel the same rich rewards he had promised the wise men. “ If thou canst read the writing, and make known to him the interpretation thereof”:
1. He shalt be clothed with scarlet,
2. Have a chain of gold about thy neck,
3. And shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.
II. Daniel’s response and rejection (Dan. 5: 17)
A. Daniel begins by turning down Belshazzar ‘s reward. “Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another;”
B. Why would he decline Belshazzar ‘s offer? Daniel knows that the king ‘s gifts are nothing, useless. What good would it do Daniel to be given the third highest office in the administration of Belshazzar when his reign would end that very night?
C. Daniel was God ‘s servant, divinely gifted to interpret dreams. He would not use his gift for worldly gain. His was a gift of grace, and he would use it that way. Finally, Daniel was not for hire. As God‘s prophet, Daniel spoke to men for God. He was not like Balaam, whose ministry could be bought. When the king pressed Daniel to take the gifts, Daniel did so, knowing he had faithfully carried out his task as God ‘s servant.
D. Daniel however, will reveal the truth that was written in the wall “yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation”.
III. Daniel’s message to the King (Dan. 5:18-23)
A. It was pointed – Daniel was preaching to a man who was not going to live through the night. Every preacher and soul winner must realize his message is going to dying men.
B. It was plain – Daniel simply rehearsed the facts of Nebuchadnezzar (vs. 18-21), with which Belshazzar would have been personally acquainted
C. It was personal (vs. 22-23)-Daniel charged Belshazzar with three things:
1. He had sinned against God- …” though thou knowest all this…” all sin is sin, but guilt is proportionate to knowledge. If God held Belshazzar accountable for the light given to him, how much more responsible is the sinner today? (Mt. 11:20-24, Lk. 16:29,31; Heb. 2:3). The “unpardonable sin” is to have heard the gospel, experienced the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and wilfully rejected Jesus Christ. (Jn. 12:47, 48, Heb. 10:26,27)
2. Thou hast lifted up thyself (v.23a) He deliberately desecrated the holy vessels something Nebuchadnezzar did not do. In the light of this consider: 1 Cor. 6:18, 19; 2 Cor. 4:7; 2 Tim. 2:20, 21.
3. He had set up idols (v.23a)- see 1 Cor. 10:19-22; 1 Jn. 5:21.
Illustration/Application: Self-Proclaimed Expert
It is said that Billie Burke, the Hollywood actress, was enjoying a transatlantic ocean voyage when she noticed a man at the next table was suffering from a bad cold. “Uncomfortable?” she asked sympathetically. The man nodded. “I’ll tell you what to do for it,” she offered. “Go back to your stateroom and drink a lot of orange juice. Take five aspirin tablets. Cover yourself with all the blankets you can find. Sweat the cold out. I know what I’m talking about. I’m Billie Burke of Hollywood.” The man smiled warmly and said, “Thanks. I’m Dr. Mayo of the Mayo Clinic!”
Illustrations of Bible Truths.
IV. The Writings in the Wall (Dan. 5:23- 29)
A. Daniel’s Interpretation
1. The Aramaic words “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN”- numbered 2x, weighed & divisions. Literally means:
a. God has numbered your kingdom and finished it.
b. You are weighed in the balance and found wanting.
c. Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and the Persians
B. Daniel’s Reward (v. 29)
1. They clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
Illustration/Application: Best Interpretation
In about 512 B.C., as Darius I of Persia led his armies north of the Black Sea, the Scythians sent him a message comprised of a mouse, a frog, a bird, and five arrows. Darius summoned his captains. “Our victory is assured,” he announced. “These arrows signify that the Scythians will lay down their arms; the mouse means the land of the Scythians will be surrendered to us; the frog means that their rivers and lakes will also be ours; and the Scythian army will fly like a bird from our forces.” But an adviser to Darius said, “The Scythians mean by these things that unless you turn into birds and fly away, or into frogs and hide in the waters, or into mice and burrow for safety in the ground, you will all be slain by the Scythian archers.”
Darius took counsel and decided that the second was the right interpretation, and beat a retreat!
— 10,000 Sermon Illustrations
V. The Fulfilment (Dan. 5:30-31)
A. History records the fall of Babylon which occurred on October 13, 539 B.C. The Persians diverted the great river from its regular channel. On the very night of Belshazzar’s feast, the waiting detachment were able to enter the city under its wall by wading through the now shallow river.
B. Unguarded by its secure inhabitants, the surprise attack quickly took Babylon fulfilling the prophecies of Jeremiah 50:1-3, 9-16, 21-32, 35-46 (note particularly verses 38 and 43); 51:1-58, Isa. 13:17-22, 21:1-10; 44:28.
C. Note: Darius is not a personal name. It is a title similar to “Pharaoh” or “Caesar”
Illustration/Application:
Belshazzar had been entrusted with much in life as a ruler. He could have used that position of influence for the sake of the Lord. A wasted life is always sad to see no matter who it involves.
Each of us is given one life which we are responsible to use wisely for the glory of God. (Ps. 90:12).
If God were to give you 70 yrs. to live, how would you plan to spend your life so as to bring the most glory to him. Would you change anything you are now doing? How do you plan to use your future for Him?
VI. Conclusion:
Daniel rejected the King’s offer of rewards, nevertheless, he told him the meaning and interpretation of the handwritings in the wall. There is no record in the Bible if Belshazzar repented after Daniel talked to him. The lesson is very clear, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Prov. 16:18)
