Daniel Interprets The Handwriting
April 19, 2021
Commentary
History often repeats itself, and it certainly did so in this case. Daniel, now an old man, was brought into the banquet hall before King Belshazzar (v. 13). Apparently the two of them had never met. Explaining the situation, the king offered Daniel the third highest place in the kingdom if he could interpret the writing (vv. 14-16). Since there were already two rulers, Belshazzar and his father, Daniel would be the “third ruler in the kingdom.”
But Daniel and Belshazzar had different priorities. He refused the King’s offer but agreed to read the writing on the wall (v. 17). However, before doing so he reminded the king of the pride of Nebuchadnezzar and the subsequent judgment of God upon him (v. 18-21). He reviewed Nebuchadnezzar’s progress (v.18), power (v.19), pride (v. 20), and punishment (v. 21).
Then Daniel made three charges against Belshazzar. First his sin was not one of ignorance (v. 22). Nebuchadnezzar’s story was known to the king. He should have learned from his grandfather’s mistake, but he had not. Second, he had turned against almighty God (v. 23). By using the sacred vessels for wickedness, he had brought God’s wrath upon himself. Thirdly he had worshiped idols and praised them (v. 23). Belshazzar’s faith was in the wrong place. His gods could not protect him because they did not exist.
Application
Belshazzar could have learned from the mistakes of his grandfather, but he did not. God gives us friends and family in part so that we can learn from their mistakes and make better choices as a result. Also, God had given us his word, the Bible, which is full of story meant to teach us. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Rom. 15:4). God, help me to learn things the easy way, by watching others and by reading my Bible every day.
Daniel 5:13– 23 (NET)
13 So Daniel was brought in before the king. The king said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel who is one of the captives of Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah? 14 I have heard about you, how there is a spirit of the gods in you, and how you have insight, discernment, and extraordinary wisdom. 15 Now the wise men and astrologers were brought before me to read this writing and make known to me its interpretation. But they were unable to disclose the interpretation of the message. 16 However, I have heard that you are able to provide interpretations and to solve difficult problems. Now if you are able to read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, you will wear purple and have a golden collar around your neck and be third ruler in the kingdom.”
17 But Daniel replied to the king, “Keep your gifts, and give your rewards to someone else. However, I will read the writing for the king and make known its interpretation. 18 As for you, O king, the most high God bestowed on your father Nebuchadnezzar a kingdom, greatness, honor, and majesty. 19 Due to the greatness that he bestowed on him, all peoples, nations, and language groups were trembling with fear before him. He killed whom he wished, he spared whom he wished, he exalted whom he wished, and he brought low whom he wished. 20 And when his mind became arrogant and his spirit filled with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and his honor was removed from him. 21 He was driven from human society; his mind was changed to that of an animal. He lived with the wild donkeys, he was fed grass like oxen, and his body became damp with the dew of the sky, until he came to understand that the most high God rules over human kingdoms, and he appoints over them whomever he wishes.
22 “But you, his son Belshazzar, have not humbled yourself, although you knew all this. 23 Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. You brought before you the vessels from his temple, and you and your nobles, together with your wives and concubines, drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone—gods that cannot see or hear or comprehend. But you have not glorified the God who has in his control your very breath and all your ways!