The Writing's on the Wall

A Profane Prince (1-4)

The year is 539. Daniel was taken in 605. He is now in his late 70s.

Belshazzar, appears to be the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar.

Scholars, once scoffed at Daniel, but have now uncovered its truth.

He was co-regent with his father Nabonidus, who ruled after Nebuchadnezzar.

That’s why he could only promise the third spot in the kingdom. (16)

He called for the profane use of the utensils from the Temple. He was indulgent in the pleasure, indifferent to danger, and irreverent to God!

The Righteous Judge Issues His Decree (5-12)

Mene, Mene, Tekel, Peres.

When judgement comes it comes suddenly and swiftly. God judges nations in this world, while he judges individuals in eternity.

The king’s reaction of terror: his knees were weak and his legs gave out.

His wise men again, could not answer the king.

He should have sought Daniel’s counsel long before this moment.

Daniel Proclaims God’s Sovereign Control

Daniel does not care for the kings promises of riches. His only concern is faithfulness to the Most High God.

He reminds the young prince of God’s hand in history (18-21).

“You have not glorified the God who hold your breath in his hands.”

It is the height of wickedness for man to curse his maker with borrowed air.

The interpretation pronounced. - God has numbered your days, you have been weighed in the balance and found wanting. Your kingdom is divided and given to the Persians.

God’s Word Fulfilled

That very night Darius took the kingdom. What had been proclaimed years before by Isaiah (Isaiah 47:1-5) came to pass. The kingdom was given to another.

Isaiah 47:1–5 “Come down and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon; sit on the ground without a throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans! For you shall no more be called tender and delicate. Take the millstones and grind flour, put off your veil, strip off your robe, uncover your legs, pass through the rivers. Your nakedness shall be uncovered, and your disgrace shall be seen. I will take vengeance, and I will spare no one. Our Redeemer—the Lord of hosts is his name— is the Holy One of Israel. Sit in silence, and go into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans; for you shall no more be called the mistress of kingdoms.”

Application:

God’s Word is Sure - Depend on HIM - Isaiah 40:7–8 “The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”

God’s Judgement is Righteous - Wait for HIM - Psalm 9:8 “and he judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness.”

God Delivers His people from the hand of the wicked - Trust in HIM - Daniel 6:3 “Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.”

Psalm 37:35–38 “I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, spreading himself like a green laurel tree. But he passed away, and behold, he was no more; though I sought him, he could not be found. Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace. But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the future of the wicked shall be cut off.”