Pastor Peter's Bible Insights
Daniel Chapter Five
Chapter 5:18-31
Vs. 18 The heart of Daniel’s message was that Belshazzar had not learned humility. Daniel sites Nebuchadnezzar’s experience from chapter 4. This lesson had allowed Nebuchadnezzar serve as the longest reigning Chaldean King--43 years. See chapter 4.
Vs. 25 MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. The words of this inscription written in Aramaic are familiar to archaeologist. Although not written in a single sentence, they were common words of the day. In Aramaic they were MNA, MNA, TQL, UPRSIN. In English they were “A mina, a mina, a shekel, half a mina.” Belshazzar’s problem was not reading the words; they just did not make any sense to him.
Daniel gives the meaning:
MNA pronounced mena: God has numbered your kingdom and brought it to an end.
TQL pronounced tegal: You are weighed in the balances and are found wanting.
PRS pronounced peras: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.
How sad it is that so many people think that if they live their lives by the principle that, if the good in their lives outweighs the bad, they will be acceptable before God. When God weighs with the principles of heaven, we will always be found wanting unless we have accepted Jesus as God’s Savior and the one who takes away all our sin.
Vs. 29 What a pathetic scene this is as Belshazzar, seeking to save his face to the end, clothed Daniel in purple (the color of royalty), gave him a gold necklace and pronounced him third ruler. Why third ruler? Nadonidus was first. Belshazzar was second and co-regent. Daniel was named third ruler, the highest that Belshazzar could offer.
Vs. 30 Chaldeans were badly defeated and retreated into the city walls. On the night of Belshazzar's feast insufficient guards were posted on the walls. Both Herodotus and
Xeophon wrote that Cyrus's men diverted the Euphrates river upstream from Babylon
by digging a canal that drained water away from the main river. He planned to invade
the city via the river bed. As the water subsided soldiers waded into the water to their
waists and entered the city. The Chaldeans had not shut the gates along the streets
that led from the river across the city. Babylon collapsed without a fight. Belshazzar
was trapped at his party and murdered.
Vs. 31 The attack on Babylon was a joint venture between the Medes and the
Persians. Herodotus identifies Darius as a Mede. Apparently Cyrus appointed Darius
as governor over Babylon, Syria and Palestine.
Preaching/Teaching Suggestions
Belshazzar...
Vs. 1 Was partying instead of planning
Vs. 2 Turned honor to dishonor.
Vs. 4 Praised the wrong gods.
Vs. 7 Consulted the wrong advisors.
Vs. 7 Tried to buy wisdom. No repentance.
Vs. 24 Did not glorify God.
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