Book Of Daniel: Chapter 5

Book Of Daniel: Writing On The Wall

June 12th, 2022/Casey Middle School

Story: The Writing On The Wall

• Running a race you didn’t train for… should have seen the writing on the wall.
• Taking an exam you didn’t study for… should have seen the writing on the wall.
• Play golf knowing you have to be home at a certain time… should have seen the writing on the wall.
• Story: early in marriage and working late hours.

Passage: Daniel 5

Pray:

Background:

Jerusalem was overthrown by Babylon just as Jeremiah had predicted. “Unless Jerusalem repents of their sins they will be judged” and they were judged indeed. Daniel and his friends were carried over to Babylon. They were to be trained in their arts and sciences. He came over as a teenager and was a great friend to King Nebuchannezzar, due to his discipline, hard work ethic, honesty, strong convictions, and the faithfulness of God, he rose in authority and became prime minister and administrator.

But where we pick up in this part of Daniel’s life, he is much older and King Nebuchanezzar is dead and a young king is now in his place. Belshazzar was the grandson of King Neb. Babylon was the greatest, most powerful, and richest nation in the world! Belshazzar was young, rich, powerful, and very prideful.

The bible has a lot to say about pride and an arrogant spirit!

“One who builds a high threshold invites injury.” - Proverbs 17:19 CSB

“Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.” - Proverbs 16:18 CSB

“Though you seem to soar like an eagle and make your nest among the stars, even from there I will bring you down. This is the Lord’s declaration.” - Obadiah 1:4 CSB

Jesus said “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled” Matthew 23:12 CSB

Application: Leaders of the world, leaders of this city, and leaders of this house, anyone that exalts and glorifies himself or herself will ultimately be brought down. God does not share His glory with anybody, any nation, or any living thing! He alone is worthy of all honor, glory, and praise!

Belshazzar had just won some military victories, and his father was a great general out on the front lines leading them from victory to victory, so Belshazzar decided he would have a great feast! The best food, dancers, and wine! In the low hanging gardens that Neb had built for his midian wife, one of the 7 wonders of the world, Belshazzar threw a great party! Drunkenness, immorality, pride, sacrilegious behavior, and idol worship were the focus of great Belshazzar and the glorious kingdom of Babylon.

Belshazzar brought in the gold vessels that were used for temple worship to honor God. This was a direct assault, desecrating something that was appointed to honor God.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” - Galatians 6:7 CSB

“they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.” - Job 4:8

“they sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.” - Hosea 8:7

Application: If you’re going to sow anger, jealousy, sexual immorality, pride, gossip, and the desires of the flesh, then you will reap the consequences of those actions.

Belshazzar was dancing and losing himself in his own glory when all of the sudden the music stopped, the crowd stood still, and on the wall appeared a hand with no arms and it began to write on the walls. His face became white, his knees trembled, and he became greatly afraid! He could not understand what was written on the walls. So he called the astrologers, magicians, and chaldeans. None could interpret the writing.

Application: In a moment of great fear and uncertainty Belshazzar turned to everyone but God and Godly counsel. In our city we have many that turn to nature, meditation, palm readers, astrologers, and other forms of new age philosophy instead of turning to the God of the universe.

Belshazzar's mother came into the party and began to tell about a man named Daniel. At this point Daniel was older and potentially in semi-retirement. He may have been forgotten, but when it mattered most, his reputation stood strong.

“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching.” - 2 Timothy 4:2 CSB

Application: No matter the season of life you are in, you are to be ready at all times to serve and obey God. You may retire from work, but may we never retire from God’s work! He is always working in the world around us and He’s inviting us to join in His activity!

Daniel came in and Belshazzar offered him a royal robe, gold chain and the third highest position in the kingdom if he could interpret the inscription on the wall. Daniel rejected this offer “You may keep your gifts and give your rewards to someone else; however, I will read the inscription for the king and make the interpretation known to him. ”

““But you his successor, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this. 23 Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of the heavens. The vessels from his house were brought to you, and as you and your nobles, wives, and concubines drank wine from them, you praised the gods made of silver and gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or understand. But you have not glorified the God who holds your life-breath in his hand and who controls the whole course of your life. 24 Therefore, he sent the hand, and this writing was inscribed.” - Daniel 4:22-24

““This is the writing that was inscribed: Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. 26 This is the interpretation of the message: ‘Mene’ means that God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end. 27 ‘Tekel’ means that you have been weighed on the balance and found deficient. 28 ‘Peres’ means that your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

That very night the Medes and the Persians had diverted the Euphrates river and came into the city on dry ground and conquered Babylon and killed Belshazzar. Judgment came for Belshazzar and we see that even the mightiest kingdom and most powerful rulers can be brought low in a moment under the hand and sovereignty of God.

Daniel was spared and was made prime minister in the new kingdom. Against all opposition, threats, persecution, false accusations, and imminent destruction, Daniel was honored, respected, and protected as someone faithful to God!

Application: We have all been weighed in the balance and found deficient. It’s not too late for you! You are here today… you are watching this online.

What is God going to weigh us by?

1. Ten Commandments

   1. You shall have no other Gods before me.
   2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images.
   3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
   4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it Holy.
   5. Honor your father and mother.
   6. Thou shalt not kill. — God wants us to protect human life.
   7. Thou shalt not commit adultery. — This means husbands and wives should be faithful to one another.
   8. Thou shalt not steal.
   9. Thou shall not bear false witness.
   10. You shall not covet.

   11. Law of love

   12. He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the greatest and most important command. 39 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” - Matthew 22:37-39

   13. Life of Christ

   14. “for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;” - Romans 3:23

Jesus said “you who are without sin cast the first stone”. None of the religious leaders could do it. We are all sinners. There has only been one Holy person that has ever lived and His name is Jesus.

This is why the Gospel is the Good News! I’m a sinner, I don’t weigh enough to get to heaven!

Gospel Presentation

“and my people, who bear my name, humble themselves, pray and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” - 2 Chronicles 7:14

For the believer, it’s not too late. Humble yourself before the mighty hand of God. Don’t touch His glory! Offer your lives to Him as living sacrifice, holy and acceptable which is your reasonable act of worship. Pray and seek His face! We need revival in our nation and it starts right here, right now!

For the unbeliever here today, turn to God before it’s too late. You may already say “the writing is on the wall”, I’m here to tell you that you can be forgiveness and accepted by God before you leave this room. Receive the gift of grace! Receive His forgiveness over you sins and be made new!