God’s Judgment

INTRODUCTION:

*arm wrestling ice breaker

In today’s session, Belshazzar thought the God of the Jews was nothing to be concerned about. But he quickly found out the God of the Jews was far more powerful than he realized.

Main Point: Prideful people will be resisted and humbled by God.

But before we get into our lesson, I want us to think about this question for a little bit — Why is pride so dangerous?

Pride is thinking beyond what we are.

Pride is thinking we know more than we do and can do more than we can.

Pride distorts our view of ourselves.

Pride crowds out God and others.

In our application today, we’re going to answer this question and it’s one that I want you to think about as we talk through Daniel 5 — Are there areas in your life where you tend to be prideful and think you don’t need God? As you think this through maybe turn the Onesheet over and answer that question throughout the lesson.

POINT #1: THE LORD CONFRONTS PEOPLE WHO DISHONOR WHAT IS HOLY (Daniel 5:1-8)

Daniel 5:1–8 KJV 1900

1 Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. 2 Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. 3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. 4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. 5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister 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 was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another. 7 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. 8 Then came in all the king’s wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.

When God sets something apart for a special use, He calls it “holy.” God’s temple had many treasures set apart to exclusively be used in worship to Him alone.

Belshazzar would have known those vessels from Judah’s temple were to only be used in worship to the God of the Jews. The prideful king had other plans.

What makes something or someone holy?

In the Bible, something is considered holy if it is set apart or consecrated for God's use, reflecting His divine character and nature. Holiness is a concept related to separation and purity, both from sin and from the ordinary. 

Belshazzar specifically requested gold and silver vessels (bowls and cups) taken from the Jerusalem temple. Drinking from holy vessels set apart for the pure worship of Yahweh, the king and his guests praised gods they’d made themselves. A floating hand appeared and began carving words into the palace wall. The prideful king instantly regretted his party plan.

Why was Belshazzar’s treatment of the temple vessels offensive to God?

What does it look like for us to treat God like He is holy today?

By treating the temple vessels like common party cups, Belshazzar was calling Yahweh a common god. The king likely thought the gods made with his own hands were just as powerful — if not more powerful — than the one true God. God could not allow this lie. The worst thing the world can believe is that God is just like the works of our own hands. He is holy. There is nothing and no one like Him.

Essential Doctrine: God is Holy. — God’s holiness refers to His uniqueness in being separate from all He has created. The Hebrew word for “holy” means “separate” or “set apart.” God’s holiness also refers to His absolute purity. God is unstained by the evil of the world. His goodness is perfect, and the moral code we find in Scripture reflects His holy nature. As people made in God’s image, we are called to holiness.

POINT #2: THE LORD HUMBLES PEOPLE WHO EXALT THEMSELVES (Daniel 5:22-24)

Have you thought of any ways that display pride regularly? Write it down.

Daniel 5:22–24 KJV 1900

22 And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; 23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: 24 Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.

Because the Babylonians conquered the Jews and took them captive, they likely believed their gods were superior to the God of the Jews. However, it was Israel’s God who allowed Babylon to conquer His people and take them captive. God showed Himself stronger than Babylon’s kings and false gods many times. Still, Belshazzar exalted himself instead of God — and it didn’t end like he planned.

How can our pride cause us problems?

Why is pride so destructive?

What is humility and why is it important?

Pride at its best says, “I don’t need God.” Pride at its worst says, “I am God.”

Nothing is more destructive than believing we are more than what we are and God is less than what He is.

Humility involves how we see God and how we see ourselves in Him. Humility says to God, “You are God and I am not.” Humility says to us, “I am everything God says I am.”

Belshazzar presented himself as the world’s top ruler. But Daniel saw God accurately and himself accurately in God. Daniel always gave God the credit for being able to interpret dreams and give wise counsel.

Why do we tend to depend on ourselves instead of on God?

Daniel said Belshazzar had three strikes against him. First, Belshazzar didn’t humble his heart after hearing what happened to Nebuchadnezzar.

Second, Belshazzar exalted himself against God by using the Lord’s temple vessels to praise Babylon’s false gods.

Finally, Belshazzar hadn’t given glory to God, who gives breath to all people. Belshazzar’s swift fall had begun.

POINT #3: THE LORD JUDGES PEOPLE WHO IGNORE HIS PLAN (Daniel 5:25-30)

Daniel 5:25–30 KJV 1900

25 And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. 27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. 28 PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. 29 Then commanded Belshazzar, and 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. 30 In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.

The Bible talks a lot about God’s glory. Everything God does and says is meaningful, sturdy, lasting, and valuable. And He calls us to live in a way that honors Him in every area of influence in our lives.

Belshazzar did not use his position of power to bring honor to God but to himself.

How can we have a powerful and lasting influence on others?

What do you want to be known for?

Daniel lived an influential life. Over a sixty-year period, kings came and went, but Daniel remained. he was known as a man with a godly spirit (see 4:18; 5:11) — he lived to bring God glory. As a result, God’s glory rested upon Daniel and made him a man of influence. Daniel was blessed and treasured by God (see 10:19). And his life’s example has endured through the ages because he lived for God’s glory.

What are some practical ways we can bring God glory?

Never were two people more different than Daniel and Belshazzar. The writing on the wall stated that Belshazzar’s time to rule was over; he was weighed by God and found deficient. But because Daniel had devoted himself to glorifying the Lord, God gave him a life of significance and impact. That night, Daniel was raised in authority while Belshazzar was replaced in disgrace.

What’s the difference between living for our own glory and living for God’s glory? Explain.

Jesus’ humility led Him to come to earth, so that He might be dishonored by humanity and become the sinless sacrifice judged for the sins of the world.

APPLICATION

Head — Are there areas in your life where you tend to be prideful and think you don’t need God? Explain.

Heart — Why do we so often desire to live for our own glory instead of for God’s glory? What does it look like to live for your own glory? For God’s glory?

Hands — What are some practical ways we can exalt Jesus through our lives?