Series: Daniel
Daniel 5:10-12 ESV
Jeremiah 27:7 (Father who came before)
Daniel 5:13-16 ESV
Ezra 1:1-3 NKJV
Daniel 10:1 (Daniel remained in Babylon)
Daniel 5:17-23 (Belshazzar did not humble himself before God)
Daniel 5:24-29 ESV
Daniel 5:30-31 ESV
While King Belshazzar was showing visible signs of falling apart, word went out to the Queen that she probably might need to check on the King in the banquet hall.
It’s just a guess on my part but I’m thinkin’ that the queen was one sharp woman!
In Daniel 5:10-12 the Queen arrived to save the day, “The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banqueting hall, and the queen declared, “O king, live forever! Let not your thoughts alarm you or your color change. There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. 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, enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers, because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.”
The Queen knew of King Nebuchanezzer (father who had come before, Jeremiah 27:7) who had worked with a man in Babylon who was filled with an excellent Spirit of knowledge, understanding of dreams, and overall problem solver. She was so sure of Daniel’s ability to understand that she definitively told King Belshazzar he would know how to interpret the writing on the wall.
Then in Daniel 5:13-16, we know that King Belshazzar believed the Queen because we are told,
“Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king answered and said to Daniel, “You are that Daniel, one of the exiles of Judah, whom the king my father brought from Judah. I have heard of you that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me to read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not show the interpretation of the matter. But I have heard that you can give interpretations and solve problems. 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.”
We know Belshazzar had a brief reign that was cut short when the Persians invaded Babylon in 539 B.C. Daniel was 14 years old when he was captured in 605 B.C. and taken to Babylon. In 539 B.C. Daniel would have been around 80 years old when Persia took over. In 538 B.C. Cyrus released the Jews to so they could return to their homeland and Jerusalem.
In Ezra 1:1-3 we read, “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem.”
From Daniel 10:1 we know Daniel did not return to Judah and he remained in Babylon during King Cyrus’ time on the throne.
Daniel made it clear he didn’t need the gifts the king offered but he was willing and able to read the writing on the wall. Daniel spoke to King Belshazzar and reminded him of the glory and might of Babylon under King Nebuchadnezzar. But Daniel recalled that there was a time when King Nebuchadnezzer’s heart was hardened and he was driven into the wilderness to live like a beast. Daniel also called King Belshazzar out because he raised himself above the Lord God of heaven and did not humble his heart before God. (Daniel 5:17-23).
In Daniel 5:24-29, Daniel told King Belshazzar, “Then from his presence the hand was sent, and this writing was inscribed. And this is the writing that was inscribed: Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. This is the interpretation of the matter: Mene, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; Tekel, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; Peres, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made about him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.”
Even though Daniel warned Belshazzar his days were numbered, the King gave the gifts to Daniel.
Then we learn from Daniel 5:30-31, “That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was killed. And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.”
In all his dealings with the Kings of Babylon, it’s remarkable that Daniel did not back down and he spoke the word of the Lord in truth.
The truth of God was what mattered to Daniel.
To this point in Babylon’s history, Daniel continued to speak truth to every leader he dealt with.
Spiritual Practice: Truth
Consider truth in your life.
Consider what truth means to you. Regardless of the outcome, decide to speak truth.
In God, Deborah
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