Daniel 5, 6, Handwriting on the wall and the Lion`s Den
Daniel 5- Handwriting on the wall
When we come to Daniel 5, Nebuchadnezzar had died after a 43-year reign. and now, King Belshazzar is ruling over the Babylonian part of the empire. He is throwing a great banquet for 1000 high-ranking people. He mocked God by using the sacred vessels from the temple of God to toast Babylon`s pagan gods."Immediately the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king`s palace, opposite the lampstand. And the king saw the hand as it wrote: Then the color changed and his thoughts alarmed him, his limbs gave way and his knees knocked together" (5:5-6)The distraught king was visibly shaken. He promised whoever could interpret the writing, to be clothed in purple, have a chain of gold around his neck, and be third in command. None of the pagan wise men had a clue of the meaning.
The queen entered and suggested he ask Daniel. Daniel was summoned to come and interpret the words for him but he made it clear that he was not motivated by the king`s gifts. He began by telling him how God had dealt with Nebuchadnezzar’s great pride and humbled him in the grassy fields, to live and eat like wild animals. He reminded Belshazzar that he had not humbled his heart, knowing this, and lifted himself against the Lord. Meme, Meme, Tekel, and Parsinwas the writing, meaning God had numbered the days of his kingdom and brought it to an end. He had been weighed on God`s scales and found lacking. His kingdom was to be divided and given to the Medes and Persians. That very night, Belshazzar was killed. Darius the Mede received the kingdom.
In Summary: Throughout his entire life, Daniel demonstrated integrity and faithful obedience to God. He was not motivated by the kings' threats or their rewards. He was aware that God alone was his judge
.To think about: Reflect on your motivations as you make decisions. Do your motives need God to transform them?"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Col. 3:23-24 Daniel 6- the Lion`s Den As Daniel served the new king, Darius, his talent, experience, and integrity quickly distinguished him. Darius had plans to set him over the whole kingdom. This pending promotion provoked other administrators and satraps to look for a way to remove him. His integrity and truthfulness angered his peers. The only way they could do it was for them to find a connection with the law of his God. This scheming hatched a devious plot to eliminate him. They suggested to Darius, a 30-day period in which all prayer would be dedicated to him. When Daniel heard the king's decree, he refused to change his habit of daily prayer. He quietly submitted himself to God, praying as he had always prayed, allowing God to be judge and defender. His enemies used his faith as an excuse to target him. They hurried to Darius with the news. He was greatly distressed. He regarded Daniel highly but he had to follow through with his decree. He gave the order for Daniels`s punishment. He spoke to Daniel, as he was sealing the den`s entrance with his own signet ring, "May your God, whom you serve continually deliver you!" (6;16)
He couldn`t sleep all night and hurried to the lions' den at dawn`s first light. He cried out in anguish, hoping against hope, "O Daniel servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually been able to deliver you from the lions?" Daniel responded, "O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lion's mouths, and they have not harmed me because I was found blameless before Him. and also before you, O king, I have done no harm" (6:21-22)The king praises Daniel`s God.
In summary: In Chapter 6 as well as Chapter 3, the heroes were loyal servants of the government, but they refused to compromise their faith, even when threatened with death. In both chapters, jealous fellow officials brought the charges. The believers faced what looked like certain death. But they were miraculously saved by God, who showed His overwhelming power to the kings involved.
To think about: No matter how bad things get, God is still in control. God encourages us to call out to him in good times as well as bad, just as Daniel was in the habit of doing. How consistent is your prayer life? He is waiting.....
Jesus is tenderly calling thee home—Calling today, calling today! Why from the sunshine of love wilt thou roam, Farther and farther away? Calling today! calling today! Jesus is calling, is tenderly calling today!
Jesus is calling the weary to rest, Calling today! calling today! Bring Him thy burden and thou shalt be blest: He will not turn thee away.
Jesus is waiting, O come to Him now! Waiting today! waiting today! Come with thy sins, at His feet lowly bow; Come, and no longer delay.
Jesus is pleading, O listen to His voice! Hear Him today! hear Him today! They who believe in His name shall rejoice: Quickly arise, come away!
Stay tuned for more Daniel,
