Title: “The Handwriting on the Wall” Script: Daniel 5
Type: Expository Series Where: GNBC 11-6-22
Intro: Today I am preaching on the first passage I can remember hearing a sermon on. I was a little boy, maybe 5 or 6 years of age. I was sitting in my grandparent’s church, Reading Methodist Church, in Reading, MI. The church building was built before the Civil War with dark mahogany high pitched ceilings and mahogany walls. I cannot remember the preacher’s name, let alone appearance. But I can remember the passage. As I sat there, my mind began to wander and I began to imagine what it would have been like to be King Belshazzar’s shoes, seeing a hand appear out of nothing and then begin to write a message for me on a wall! This story has become so much a part of Western culture that it coined a phrase we still use today: “The handwriting is on the wall…” It’s used of something foreboding or ominous in the future: “I still have my my job, but the handwriting is on the wall, since they just outsourced my department to India.” Well, the phrase “The handwriting is on the wall…” was originally used in the context of God’s judgment on an arrogant and profane king, who should have known better.
Prop: Today we’ll notice 4 important points in Daniel 5.
BG: 1. A lifetime has passed since the 15-17 yrs old boy Daniel was taken off to Babylon in chapt. 1. As we enter into chapter 5 Daniel is probably 80+ yrs of age. About 25 yrs. since chap. 4
2. Chapt. 1-4 Nebuchadnezzar is the king. Chapter 5 Belshazzar, last of the Chaldean kings.
Prop: Let’s continue in our study as today we’ll notice 4 important points in Daniel 5.
I. The Feast of Belshazzar vv. 1-4
A. We are now introduced to the final ruler of Babylon.
1. Who is this man Belshazzar we are so suddenly introduced to in Dan. 5?
a. At the end of chapter 4 we see a repentant Nebuchadnezzar, firmly restored to his throne after his humiliation of 7 yrs. Suddenly, as we start a new chapter, we see a new king, Belshazzar. Actually,
b. Belshazzar was most likely the grandson of King Neb. When Neb died in 556 BC he was succeeded by his son, Marduk, who ruled less than a year before being assassinated by a group of men, including, Nabonidus, Neb’s daughter, Nitocris! However, upon usurping the throne, Nabonidus didn’t really like to rule and was often away from the capitol for extended periods of time. After becoming an adult, Belshazzar, being Nabonidus’ eldest son, became “co-regent” with the king.
2. The young King Finds himself in a Precarious Situation. Nabonidus’ prolonged absences and Belshazzar’s immaturity signaled the waning power of Babylon. The Persian Empire quickly realized this power vacuum and desired to fill it’s void. Where we take up in the story, the armies of Persia have surrounded the capitol city. A siege has been laid. Nabonidus, the real king, has fled for safety, and a scared and brash young king is left to face the foe.
B. The King’s Careless and Profane Frivolity
1. Instead of Seeking God in Time of Need, the Kingsinks further into sin.
a. Many have speculated on Belshazzar’s actions. What was he doing and what was he thinking? The Persian army is outside the city and he is throwing a rager! Why would he throw a party for 1000 noblemen if the enemy were literally at the gate? Belshazzar is trying to impress his people. Possibly he wants to boost the morale of his leaders. Opulent display of power and wealth. No concern. Possibly he is attempting to impress them so they won’t remove or assassinate him. Illust – He would be the last ruler who figuratively “played the fiddle” while his city burned. He wouldn’t be the last person who “whistled in the dark”.
b. This feast was a brash display attempting to demonstrate a carefree confidence in the face of imminent danger. Danger was at the gate but it was easier to be derelict in one’s duty through drink and distraction. Illust – I have known many a man and woman who allow drink and distraction to make them derelict from their duty. Duty to their spouse. Duty to their children. Duty to their employer. Duty to their community. Duty to their God!
2. Belshazzar oversteps a line no one should cross. vv.3-4
a. V. 2 tells us “while tasting the wine” – not just the flavor but also the inebriating effects are reaching their full. When drink goes in discretion goes out! Stupid, vulgar, and profane things are said, violence becomes common, sexual propriety goes out the window.
b. Illust – Belshazzar’s drink and distraction crossed the line of desecration. Belshazzar, sitting at a table at the front of the great hall sets the tone of the party. Glasses and goblets are frothy with wine and liquor. Women are present. Boasts and inuendo become an orgy. Sinking faster and further into debauchery the king calls for the articles from the Temple of the Judean God. He incorporates these holy utensils into his shameless sin, and then praises the gods of gold, silver, iron, bronze, wood and stone! In one impious act he is telling all of his nobles, just as Babylon defeated Judah and her God, they will defeat Persia!
C. Applic: Belshazzar’s feast was a display of pride, arrogance, and profanity. Instead of seeking God in the face of imminent danger, the king attempted to prop up his power.
II. The Finger of God vv. 5-7
A. A Supernatural Party Crasher Interrupts Belshazzar’s Pofane Performance
1. An unwanted Guest makes his presence known at the king’s party.
a. Illust: Ever had an unwanted guest at a party? Only there to make a scene or cause a disturbance? Years ago I was to be the officiant of a wedding at which the groom’s previous girlfriend had promised to appear and make a scene during the service. I had to call the individual and tell her she could not come and not to appear. It was a testy phone call, but easier than had she appeared and created a disturbance.
b. Well, at some point during Belshazzar’s blitz, an uninvited Guest appears at the party. During the height of this blasphemous, profane, orgy, the fingers of a human hand appear on lighted portion of a wall in the banqueting hall writing mysterious words! It is implied that the fingers came out of the wall as some, then, many, then ALL saw it!
2. As the Party Reaches its Pitch a
a. Illust –Immediately, everyone becomes silent. Immediately the party stops! Immediately the drunken debauchery stops! Immediately the profanity stops! Immediately the boastful bragging stops! Immediately the drunken defiance stops! Man can is pretty arrogant and boastful when aided by liquor and abetted by others. Pride! Arrogance! And then, but the Fingers of God show up and every mouth falls silent!
b. Instantly a spiritual connection was made in the mind of the young regent and his nobles. Everything had been going smoothly until the cups and utensils of the Judean God had been brought out and mocked.
B. The Result of the Visitation.
1. There is a response registered by the king. V.6
a. Illust: Knowing the power of the Babylonian kings, Belshazzar must have seen many men stand in fear and trembling before him. Now it was his turn to tremble in that torch-lit banquet hall! His face that moments before had been flush and sweating with wine women and song, is now ashen as his life’s blood pools in his feet. The terror of this Divine visitor robs all the strength from the king’s legs, and instantly becoming slack, his knees begin to knock with fear. A brash warrior is now a craven coward. And his thoughts trouble him! That is the understatement of the year!
b. At the Great White Throne Judgment of Christ – In Rev. 20:12-23 we read that during the millennial reign of Christ those who have died without receiving Jesus as their Savior that their bodies will be summoned from the sea and the grave, from death and Hades to appear before the final judgment of Christ! Friend, there will be a lot of religious people there. There will be polytheists, and monotheists, and deists, and atheists there. There will be Catholics and Protestants and Orthodox. The will be Brethren and Baptists and Bible Church members. Contrary to popular opinion, your chosen truth doesn’t make it true. There is only one truth and His Name is Jesus! John 14:6 “I am the way…”
2. There is a message written though as of yet, unread.
a. Four words are written on the wall. Four unreadable words. But there is no doubt in the mind of the king who has written them. Determined to know. Offers a reward in v.7 to whomever can make the writings known. (Offers 3rd position in Kingdom – again, points to the fact that he is a coregent.)
b. Illust- I am reminded of a story from the English Revivals under the Wesleys and Whitefield and others. Alcoholism was rampant in England in the 1700’s. A brash young man stood on a table of a pub to imitate and mock the Evangelical preachers. Someone from the roaring crowd handed him a Bible and cloak to complete his costume. He opened the Bible and began to read: “We all like sheep have gone astray, each to his own way, and the Lord has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.” (Is. 53:6) With a few words God cut that man to the quick! He dropped to his knees and begged forgiveness and was saved!
C. Applic: My friend, the finger of God got Belshazzar’s attention. Wrote a personal message. God has done that for you and me in the Bible. Need to repent and turn to Christ.
III. The Failure of the Wise Men vv. 8-12
A. Belshazzar Calls for his Cabinet in his moment of Crisis.
1. A Troubled Tyrant needs his Counselors to Calm his frayed nerves.
a. vv.8-9 The wise men enter the silenced assembly. Now, if my accounting is correct, after this event, the wise men are 0 for 3 in interpreting the King’s dreams! Maybe he should have been calling this august group “the Average Men”. Interesting, nothing really changes in government, bureaucracy goes unabated. I can think one department that needs to be cut in Babylon!
b. Illust: It’s pretty common for government bureaucracy to employ people who don’t do their jobs. Certainly, if I had been Belshazzar, I would have decided to eliminate the Department of Wise of Men. They don’t have a promising batting average. Illust: Did you know The Economic Development Administration (EDA), which duplicates the activities of at least 62 other community development programs. The EDA will spend $350 million this year to spur local economic growth. Yet a recent GAO study found the EDA had no impact at all. Zippo. Five-year savings: $933 million.
2. Why were the wise men unable to read the message? Some scholars have speculated why the Chaldeans couldn’t read this writing. One explanation is that although in Aramaic, it was written in an older form of Phoenician lettering which was similar to the Hebrew Daniel read as a child. Possible. However, it could have simply been that God made it unreadable to anyone save Daniel, so as to give him an entrance to the event.
B. Daniel is Summoned to come before the King.
1. Daniel is called out of retirement to come before the King in this moment of Crisis.
a. As I said earlier, Daniel is now in his 80’s. I imagine he has already retired from the civil service. The new king has his cronies. Daniel is old and from an outdated era. You ask, oh, Chris, how could they have forgotten about such an important figure, such a wise ruler?
b. Illust – Winston Churchill led the British Empire through the dark days of WWII, until being unceremoniously kicked to the curb in the 1945 general election. However, with all the upheaval in the world in the early 1950’s, guess who was called back to serve 1951-1955. Europe needed a steadying hand in the early dark days of Communism.
2. Daniel’s Reputation is Remembered by the Queen Mother. Vv.10-12
a. Most likely this is Nitocris, Nebuchadnezzar’s, now elderly, daughter. She remembers what God did in her father’s life when she was young! She remembers how his dreams were interpreted by the Hebrew deportee. (I think it is very sad when multi-generational families don’t worship together. I think its sad when young people run off to mega churches because all the other young people from town go to those churches. They don’t hear the great stories of how God worked in the lives of seniors in the fellowship. They aren’t mentored
b. “There is a man!!!!” Hope is restored! Daniel’s sterling reputation still serves him after decades of service in government. Again, like we saw a week ago. Secular counsel can be of value, yet it has its limits. Daniel is different! Daniel knows God! Daniel is filled with His Spirit. Again, Christian, you and I should be excellent in our fields. We should strive to grow and improve. We should strive to have a sterling reputation. And at the end of the day, the world needs to know there is something different about us, that we know God. Would your excellence in your field and your life of faith in Christ draw attention in times of crisis?
C. Applic: In those dark days in our nation’s history that led up to President Nixon’s resignation Aug. 8, 1974, very few people today know just how dangerously close America was to something never seen in our history. At the peak of the President’s paranoia, cabinet officials knew of only one man to call to calm the embattled president’s nerves. To restore him to a course of sanity…Billy Graham. Didn’t call a doctor. Not a psychiatrist. Not a “counselor”. Called a Christian who prayed with the president.
IV. The Face to Face Meeting with the King vv.13-23
A. Daniel is Called in Before the King and details his failure.
1. Daniel courageously comes before the king.
a. Vv.13- 17 is a recitation of Daniel’s accomplishments and , the failure of the “Average guys”, and the offered reward. I love Daniel’s response in v.17. Daniel was once a young man before an old king, but now he is an old man before a young king. Old men get to be old because they are tough, determined, and know what they believe. Not going to intimidate an old man like Daniel. Daniel is going to be bought off by the king. Knows his gifts and promised position isn’t worth paper written on with Persians at the door.
b. Listen, when you are an expert in your field, and people are coming to you for help, NEVER soft sell your faith in Christ. Always give Him the glory. Always use it as an opportunity to point people to Christ. Illust – Famous surgeon in our city. Always prays with patients before putting them under.
2. Daniel addresses the king. .
a. As Daniel comes before the terrified tyrant he relates the story of Belshazzar’s grandfather’s disobedience. God had granted Nebuchadnezzar all he had, his power and authority, his position, and yet he became proud. Daniel reminded the king of Neb’s humiliation and ultimate repentance. (Illust – I know a man, who is an Irish pastor of an Anglican Church in England. Over 140 yrs. ago, Methodist evangelist came to his g-g-g-grandfather’s village and preached salvation full and free in Christ. Man turned from enslavement to popish works to free grace in Christ. Trajectory of family changed forever. Dozens have become pastors and missionaries. Prayer meeting on their family farm nearly every Saturday now for 140 yrs! Responded to God’s grace!
b. Read vv. 22-23 – (READ) Let that sink in! You should’ve known better! You are arrogant! You are proud! And in your pride you became blasphemous! (How could the grandson not know any better?! Certainly Queen Mother told stories. Think about the likes of Abraham Piper. Father is pastor/theologian/author John Piper. Seen the hand of God on father. Heard how God called his father from a sick bed into the ministry through the preaching of the great pastor Harold Ockenga. Heard 100’s of stories of Grandfather, Bill Piper, traveling evangelist for over 60 years! But if you listen to his podcasts, he is proud and arrogant and profane. You should have known better!!!
B. The Final Judgment vv.24-31
1. An arrogant and profane King is found wanting.
a. Daniel comes to the culmination of the message: “The hand was sent from Him…” Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin. – Mene- God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it. Tekel – you have been weighed in the scales and found wanting. Peres – Your kingdom has been divided and give to the Medes and Persians.
b. Three little words compose the message, one of which was repeated. They seem to be Aramaic words. Scholars have spent considerable effort to explore the origin and meaning of each of these three terms. The king did not need a dictionary; he needed the interpretation of the meaning of these three words as written, in the context of that moment of history.
2. Belshazzar’s Reward.
a. Belshazzar’s response is somewhat pitiful. Keeps word and rewards Daniel with the promised gifts. No mention of an attempt to repent. Granted, Daniel gave no time frame for when God’s judgment would strike. However, prophecy always gives opportunity for repentance. We know from the final verses of the passage that the night would not pass before the king was put to death. For him, there were only minutes—at the most hours—to repent, and he did not do so.
b. “Secular history fills in much detail here showing how the Babylonian king felt secure within the walls of that great city and how Darius managed to lower the level of the River Euphrates which flowed through the city so that his army could enter the city unhindered. Daniel omits these details, perhaps because they diminish the impact of the swift and devastating fulfillment of prophecy. Daniel intends for us to grasp this one thing: the Word of God is sure. God brought about the downfall of Babylon and Belshazzar, its king, just as He said. The history books provide details of this defeat, but Daniel underscores the one thing they will all omit: the death of Belshazzar and the defeat of Babylon was the judgment of God on a city and a people who profaned the name of the God of Israel. God will not be mocked.” (Bob Deffinghbaum, Dan. 5)
C. Applic: Belshazzar ignored God to the very end. The handwriting on the wall spelled the end of his pleasure seeking party. He was weighed in God’s divine balance and found wanting! Wanting of humility! Wanting of holiness! Wanting of mercy! Wanting of justice! Wanting of generosity! He was given so very much and squandered it in self serving revelry! There is a coming judgment for each one of us. We will be weighed in God’s divine scale. Every one of us, apart from Christ is found wanting! But in Christ we find mercy!
