Theme: Living Out Our Faith.
Topic: Reverence of God
Main Text: Daniel 5: 1-31
Key Verse: Daniel 5:23b – “…and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways you have not glorified.” (NKJV)
Introduction:
To revere God is to fear Him and to fear Him is to be in awe of Him, loving him wholeheartedly without reservation. (Leviticus 19:30; Ecclesiastes 12:13; 1 Peter 2:17). In chapter 4 we witness how Nebuchadnezzar fell from grace to grass due to pride despite being warned in a dream as interpreted by Daniel. The prophecy materialises. He turns from paganism to worship the God of Israel. Years go by and Belshazzar as king, in a wanton night of revelry commits blasphemy by ordering use of the vessels of the temple in Jerusalem to drink therefore challenging the power of God. This irreverent act is compounded by the praise of gods in the form of objects of creation, but not the God of creation. It often appears that the wicked will go unpunished and get away with their evil, and they sometimes do for a while. But eventually, often suddenly, God’s judgment will fall, and it will be too late to avoid it. Belshazzar’s brazen defiance invited punishment.
Q1. (1a) Read Daniel 4:37;5:1-4 Contrast Nebuchadnezzar’s attitude with that of Belshazzar (his grandson). (1b) Read Deut 10:17 and Psalm 50:6. Why is reverence of God important? (1c) How should we show reverence to and for God? (2 Chron 19:7-9 and Heb 12:28).
Paragraph 2:
Historians note that the Medio-Persian army was camped outside Babylon while Belshazzar was indulging in his night of revelry. Such was his arrogance, pride and false confidence in Babylon’s supposedly impregnable walls that he gave no thought to the defense of his people. That pride is quickly deflated by the handwriting on the wall, a sharp reminder of Nebuchadnezzar’s past. No one in the party can interpret the handwriting. In his drunken stupor Belshazzar recognises that the finger of God speaks of God’s power (Exod. 8:19, Luke 11:20). The Queen’s intervention, the urgent need for Daniel’s interpretation signal to him that the game is up. He is not untouchable or all-powerful; there is a God who is in control and in charge of the affairs of men. With God’s intervention, the alcohol-fueled defiance turns to quivering fear complete with loosened hip-joints and knocking knees. He turns to the motley crew of magicians and astrologers that were of no help to Nebuchadnezzar. Fortunately, there was at least one person who remembered Daniel’s past exploits.
Q2.(2a) What do we learn about Daniel, the Queen, and Belshazzar in verses Daniel 5:10-12? (2b) Why were the king’s wise men unable to interpret the handwriting on the wall; (2c) How should we develop a spirit of reverence in our lives?
Paragraph 3:
Belshazzar’s sacrilegious and idolatrous act invite God’s instant retribution: his death, the end of Babylon, and the prophecy in Daniel 2:21 that God sets up and takes down kings. The revelry, revelation and retribution happen in one night signaling that life is short and death is certain. Belshazzar’s mind is blurred by his perceived importance and greatness. His days are numbered, and the kingdom divided; yet he still plays king by offering Daniel the third in command to a kingdom that is finished. Failing to learn from Nebuchadnezzar’s mistakes, failing to revere God and repent in the face of the handwriting on the wall preclude him from receiving a possible reprieve from God. A king and nation are annihilated because of defiance of the Sovereign God.
Q3.(3a) From verses Daniel 5:22-23, what are the principal charges against Belshazzar? (3b) Why do you think we often refuse to learn from other people’s mistakes? (3c) How can we compare the kingdom of Babylon to what is happening in the world today?
Prayer: Father, may we always remember that you are God who holds our breath in your hands, that your word is sure, and you will never be mocked, in Jesus Name, Amen