Daniel 5: 1 – 31
The Handwriting Is On The Wall
1 Belshazzar the king made a great feast for a thousand of his lords, and drank wine in the presence of the thousand. 2 While he tasted the wine, Belshazzar gave the command to bring the gold and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple which had been in Jerusalem, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them. 3 Then they brought the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple of the house of God which had been in Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. 4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone. 5 In the same hour the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. 6 Then the king’s countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his knees knocked against each other. 7 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke, saying to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing, and tells me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck; and he shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” 8 Now all the king’s wise men came, but they could not read the writing, or make known to the king its interpretation. 9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly troubled, his countenance was changed, and his lords were astonished. 10 The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came to the banquet hall. The queen spoke, saying, “O king, live forever! Do not let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your countenance change. 11 There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers. 12 Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.” 13 Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke, and said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel who is one of the captives from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah? 14 I have heard of you, that the Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. 15 Now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not give the interpretation of the thing. 16 And I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and explain enigmas. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” 17 Then Daniel answered, and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation. 18 O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom and majesty, glory and honor. 19 And because of the majesty that He gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he wished, he executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put down. 20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. 21 Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses. 22 “But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. 23 And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified. 24 Then the fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written. 25 “And this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 26 This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; 27 TEKEK: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; 28 PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.” 29 Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a chain of gold around his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. 30 That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain. 31 And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.
I was going to title this teaching ‘spoiled brat’ but I defer to being more diplomatic. We have been reading about the king of Babylon by the name of Nebuchadnezzar. The Babylonian Empire lasted for 70 years. Old Nebbie ruled for 40 of those years. In the bible we are told in the book of 2 Kings chapter 25 that his son Amel Marduk better known as Evil Merodach succeeded him, “27 Now it came to pass in the thirty-seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, that Evil-Merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison.”
This king only lasted 2 years and was replaced by Nebuchadnezzar’son-in-law, Nergalsharusur. He lasted 4 years and was replaced by his son who was a youth by the name of Labashi Marduk. This minor was replaced by another son-in-law of Nebuchadnezzar by the name of Nabonidus.
Nabonidus desired to be away from the problems of Babylon and therefore placed his son in charge as co-regent of Babylon. This second ruler or son of Nabonidus is the Belshazzar that we read about here in Daniel.
Never having worked, fought, studied, or trained for in effect being the ruler of the then known world, power went to his head. Our Lord warns us as church leaders not to put a youth too quickly into leadership because the same corruption will happen to him. We learn this from the book of 1 Timothy chapter 5, “Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.”
1 Belshazzar the king made a great feast for a thousand of his lords, and drank wine in the presence of the thousand.
Do you think that passed out 1000 tickets to the select leaders? The number thousand means many or ‘a good number’. It could have been more than a thousand. However, what is more interesting is that while this party is being held, outside the city a siege in being conducted by the Medo-Persian army.
2 While he tasted the wine, Belshazzar gave the command to bring the gold and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple which had been in Jerusalem, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them. 3 Then they brought the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple of the house of God which had been in Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. 4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.
So, why did the king order the vessels that were in their Temple be brought in and used for the drunken party?
The reason is not given to us in Scripture directly but I believe I know why. Look at the passages again - 2 While he tasted the wine, Belshazzar gave the command to bring the gold and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple which had been in Jerusalem, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them. 3 Then they brought the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple of the house of God which had been in Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. 4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone’
Do not forget that Babylon conquered the whole known world. They would have had all kinds of vessels from various countries, right? Why then select the vessels from the capture of Jerusalem? What happened in our last chapter of Daniel – we read in chapter 4 Nebuchadnezzar’s conversion to worship Jehovah Maccaddeshem – The Lord our Sanctifier. He puts his belief and trust in the only living God, Who just happens to be the God of Israel – Qedosh Yisrael – The Holy One of Israel.
Belshazzar was mocking his grandfather’s faith and the God Whom his grandfather gave his allegiance. Please note that they drank toasts now to the gods of precious metals - 4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone’
God will not be mocked. Some people today dare God to show Himself. They dare Him to smite them or do something else to prove He exists. Sometimes our Holy Creator will respond and you will not like the outcome when he does. We see how quickly Belshazzar’s attitude changed.
5 In the same hour the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. 6 Then the king’s countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his knees knocked against each other.
We might think that it was kind of neat to see a hand come out of no where and start writing on the wall. However, Belshazzar did not think it was so neat. He was terrified. He now realized the God Who he was mocking and blaspheming was here now to deal with him.
Still shaking in his boots, the king cried out that his wise advisors come in and tell him what was written on the wall.
Man, it seems to be redundant. When will the kings of Babylon realize that these advisors stink. They are all phonies. They do not have any wisdom at all as you can see that they cannot interpret the writing.
7 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke, saying to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing, and tells me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck; and he shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” 8 Now all the king’s wise men came, but they could not read the writing, or make known to the king its interpretation. 9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly troubled, his countenance was changed, and his lords were astonished.
Do you now understand why he is offering the person who can tell him what is written the ‘third’ ruler ship position? How quickly we forget. Belshazzzar was co-regent or the number 2 king of Babylon. To allow someone else would have to be the ‘third’ or tri-regent.
We now come upon a wise counsel from the queen.
10 The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came to the banquet hall. The queen spoke, saying, “O king, live forever! Do not let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your countenance change. 11 There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers. 12 Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.”
So, who is this queen? Is is Belshazzar’s wife; his mom, or his grandmother? I believe the queen is his mom, Nebuchadnezzar’s daughter. She was around and witnessed everything that Daniel had done for her dad and for the kingdom of Babylon. In addition, are you familiar with the book of Ester? Do you remember that she was scared to death to go and see her husband the king, because no one was allowed to go without official permission to just go and see the king under penalty of death. However, the kings mom’s were not under the same restraint.
Please notice how she has all this knowledge of Daniel’s acts – ‘11 There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers. 12 Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.”
13 Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke, and said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel who is one of the captives from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah?
Belshazzar had been mocking Yahweh Elohe Yisrael – The Lord God of Israel. In an attempt to regain control he reminds Daniel of his captivity - 13 Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke, and said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel who is one of the captives from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah?’
At the same time Belshazzar acts like he is one of these knowledgeable scholars in revealing that he knows all about Daniel. No joke, he was just told by his mom. At the same time he was acting coy in hopes that Daniel could deliver on the interpretation of the Hebrew God’s message.
14 I have heard of you, that the Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.
In a way Belshazzar is trying to put Daniel down. In effect, his co-workers could not deliver, how about you? Please notice his doubts, mocking, or attempting at scoffing at Daniel’s ability to interpret the handwriting – ‘Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation’
15 Now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not give the interpretation of the thing. 16 And I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and explain enigmas. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”
Daniel knew what the writing said. Belshazzar tried to reason or bargain with Daniel in making some remarkable promises. However, Daniel knew these promises we just a joke because why would he want to be a ruler of a kingdom that is now destined to be overthrown. So, Daniel boldly tells the king to keep all his goodies.
17 Then Daniel answered,and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation. 18 O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom and majesty, glory and honor. 19 And because of the majesty that He gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he wished, he executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put down. 20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. 21 Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.
In a way Daniel was giving the king a tongue lashing. In his own diplomatic way Daniel was telling Belshazzar, ‘you think you are a king? You’re nothing. Now, your grandfather Nebuchadnezzar, he was a real king. He was in charge of the entire world. I know, I was there taking care of him when the Lord God Almighty struck him with insanity for his pride. Hey, look outside the walls. You are surrounded by the Medo-Persian army who is now overseeing all the nations and kingdoms of the world.’
22 “But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. 23 And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified. 24 Then the fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written.
Belshazzar knew all this was true for he was about 14 years of age when all these things happened. He had personally witnessed the hand of El Shaddai – God Almighty – work in his grandfather’s life. He is without any excuse. And now he has the arrogance to thumb his finger at the Holy Magnificent Every Living God? I don’t think so Belshazzar. Here is what the One you mocked has to say.
25 “And this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 26 This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; 27 TEKEK: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; 28 PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”
The repetition of ‘Mene’ confirms that the fulfillment is certain and sure. The word ‘Tekeel’ is a weight measurement. The Lord has weighed Belshazzar’s reign and found him to be out of the right weight balance in every aspect of life. In other word, ‘you’re finished man!’
The word ‘peres’ is plural of the word ‘paras’. You are going to like this. Do you know what the word ‘paras’ means? It means ‘Persians’. Or in my lingo, ‘Hey Belshazzar, take a look outside, guess who’s coming to dinner? – The Medes and Persians.
To save face the king accepts the answer and instructs his attendants to reward Daniel. I can just see Daniel shaking his head while they put on royal clothing on him
29 Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a chain of gold around his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
I do not think that Belshazzar thought the interpretation was of any value. He thought that hanging out inside the city of Babylon that he was in affect protected from any army. They had enough food and water to get through any siege. Perhaps they would come up with some kind of deal with the Medo-Persian army or find a way of escape. But for now, back to the party. Little did Belshazzar realize that the prophecy was to come true that night for the Medo-Persian army were diverting the river away from the city and came into the city through the dried up riverbed.
30 That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain. 31 And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.
Before we end off our time here in chapter 5 let me run something else by you. There seems to be a biblical error. Who was really in charge? Was it Darius the Mede? – or was it Cyrus the Persian?
From my studies I come up with this conclusion. Remember, that Belshazzar was co-regent of Babylon or the number 2 king. The number 1 king, Nabonidus, was still alive. Cyrus, who was the overall leader of the two country empire still, had to fight some battles. He left Darius as the ‘melek’ or under king while he pursued these adventures.
