5-19-14.  Daniel 5:1-21. A WARNING FOR KING BELSHAZZAR – my devotional

 Daniel 5:1-21                                     Kevin E. Jesmer                                5-19-14

“But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him “ (20) (ESV)

Dear Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for you steadfast love. Thank you for dwelling with us and guiding our pathways towards you and the kingdom of God. Without you gentle shepherds staff we would surely go astray and get caught up with so many peripheral, distracting issues, that we our love for you, our knowledge of you, our hope and longing for the kingdom, and our love and concern for our fellow human beings would fade. We need you Lord. Grant me you word in my heart through this passage. I thank you and I pray in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.

Part 1: A Fearful Sight (1-12).

Verses 1-12, “King Belshazzar made a great feast for a thousand of his lords and drank wine in front of the thousand. 2 Belshazzar, when he tasted the wine, commanded that the vessels of gold and of silver that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem be brought, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them. 3 Then they brought in the golden vessels that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. 4 They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone. 5 Immediately the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace, opposite the lamp stand. And the king saw the hand as it wrote. 6 Then the king’s color changed, and his thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together. 7 The king called loudly to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers. The king declared to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing, and shows me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” 8 Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or make known to the king the interpretation. 9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly alarmed, and his color changed, and his lords were perplexed. 10 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. 11 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, 12 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.” (ESV)

King Belshazzar gave a great banquet where wine flowed freely. He had the golden goblets from the temple of the Lord brought out, and he and his wives and concubines drank from them. In his ignorance the king and his guests praised the gods of gold and stone. In this way Belshazzar dishonored the Lord. It was almost like he was taunting God. He set a bad example for all the nobles of the land. He promoted hedonism and disrespect to God in a very public way. His actions were very serious, for those actions would influence the character of his rule and his kingdom. God had to do something about this. We need to consider the effect that our influence has on others, especially when it comes to honoring God.

When he did, suddenly a human hand appeared and wrote a mysterious message on the wall. In his fear the king called for his wise men to read the writing. Look at 7b, “…The king declared to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing, and shows me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”  None of the wise men could interpret the dream. Finally the queen was reminded of Daniel. Perhaps he could solve the riddle. I believe God was behind the queen’s revelation.

We need to see this from God’s point of view. God was actually opening the door for Daniel to be raised up as one in authority in the land. God wanted to put Daniel in a certain position in society and he was doing it. We may not be sure what God is doing in our lives at exactly this moment, but we can be rest assured that as we live in Christ, God is bringing convergence into our lives.

We can see how the spirit of God can bring wisdom in a person’s life. Look at verse 11a and 12a, “ 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,” …. “because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel,”  When God dwells in our hearts, he blesses. He grants us wisdom. He equips us so that that we can be ready in season and out of season, to serve his purpose in our lives. I have experienced God revealing his wisdom to me in some very difficult situations. He has always given wise words to say in the right way and at the right time. People want to be wise. They turn to all kinds of sources of wisdom and direction. But to be truly wise we need both wise words from the Bible and the living Spirit of Christ to guide us in all wisdom. Let the living Jesus Christ speak and guide your heart and your words. You will be flabbergasted.

 Part 2:, “I Will Read The Writing” (13-21).

Verses 13-21, “13 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. 14 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. 15 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. 16 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.” 17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation. 18 O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father kingship and greatness and glory and majesty. 19 And because of the greatness that he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whom he would, he killed, and whom he would, he kept alive; whom he would, he raised up, and whom he would, he humbled. 20 But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him. 21 He was driven from among the children of mankind, and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will.” (ESV)

The limitation of worldly wisdom. Verse 15, “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.”  There is a limitation to worldly wisdom. Christian people can benefit from all kinds of wisdom and teachings, but we also admit the limitation of these sources. They can only take you so far. The wisdom of God has no limitations. The Bible is like a deep ocean of wisdom. The Spirit of the living God will also guide you into all truth. There is no limitation, nor bounds with Christ and his is willing to unleash all this wisdom on any who would come to him by faith.

Daniel was promised a great reward by the king, but he declined. Look at verse 16-17, “16 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.” 17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation.” Daniel was not interested in money or power, but he would read the writing in order to give God’s message to the king. What a pure heart this man had! He was not selfish at all. It was all about God and his glory. It was all about serving the Lord and revealing God’s glory and majesty to the people of the world. I pray to have such a pure heart as I serve Christ. I pray that I may not be in it for my own benefit, but for the glory of God.

False pride separates us from God and ruins our lives. The news that Daniel delivered was not good news. The king’s father was allowed some measure of greatness. But he became proud and suffered for it. Look at verses 20-21, “But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him. 21 He was driven from among the children of mankind, and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven,.”  This is a hard lesson, a lesson that should have been heeded by his son. But the Lord’s lesson had not been heeded. He ignored the life’s lessons that were revealed to him through dad. This happens. Our parents may have lived with vices and suffered a lot. We think that the kids would avoid those vices. But more often then not, they follow in their parent’s footsteps. I pray for a learning hearts, that we may learn from the mistakes of others.

Pride makes us loose our minds and the image of God becomes tarnished with us. This king’s father became like a wild man. He looked more like a beast than a human being. Human beings are like cut flowers in a vase. They have outward beauty, but that beauty fades if they are no longer attached to life source. Jesus is the life source. John 15: 1-6, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.” (ESV) This king was suffering because his pride had cut himself off from the life source…God. He would suffer like this for years, until he became humbled and acknowledge that the God of the Bible is the Lord of all the earth.

I know what happens to me when I neglect my spiritual life and my relationship with the Life Giver. I easily fall into despair and negativity and all kinds of things that change my whole countenance. But when I am right with God, the peace of God also shows in my face. A vine and branch relationship with Jesus makes a big difference.

Daniel taught yet another king that the Lord Most High is the sovereign over all men, including all kings of the world. Look at verse 21b, “the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will.”  This Most High God is Jesus Christ. He is our Sovereign Lord. I need to share this with all people that they turn their hearts to

Prayer: “Lord, protect me from ignorance and false pride. May my life lead others to praise you only.”

One word, Jesus is the Lord of all the earth. Be humble and glorify him alone.