Daniel 5:13-31

Today’s Passage: Daniel 5:13-31

(See the Intro to Daniel here)

 13 So Daniel was brought in before the king. The king asked him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles brought from Judah by my predecessor, King Nebuchadnezzar? 14 I have heard that you have the spirit of the gods within you and that you are filled with insight, understanding, and wisdom. 15 My wise men and enchanters have tried to read the words on the wall and tell me their meaning, but they cannot do it. 16 I am told that you can give interpretations and solve difficult problems. If you can read these words and tell me their meaning, you will be clothed in purple robes of royal honor, and you will have a gold chain placed around your neck. You will become the third highest ruler in the kingdom.” 17 Daniel answered the king, “Keep your gifts or give them to someone else, but I will tell you what the writing means. 18 Your Majesty, the Most High God gave sovereignty, majesty, glory, and honor to your predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar. 19 He made him so great that people of all races and nations and languages trembled before him in fear. He killed those he wanted to kill and spared those he wanted to spare. He honored those he wanted to honor and disgraced those he wanted to disgrace. 20 But when his heart and mind were puffed up with arrogance, he was brought down from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. 21 He was driven from human society. He was given the mind of a wild animal, and he lived among the wild donkeys. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he learned that the Most High God rules over the kingdoms of the world and appoints anyone he desires to rule over them.

 22 “You are his successor,^[a] O Belshazzar, and you knew all this, yet you have not humbled yourself. 23For you have proudly defied the Lord of heaven and have had these cups from his Temple brought before you. You and your nobles and your wives and concubines have been drinking wine from them while praising gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone—gods that neither see nor hear nor know anything at all. But you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny! 24 So God has sent this hand to write this message.

 25 “This is the message that was written: Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. 26 This is what these words mean:

   Mene means ‘numbered’—God has numbered the days of your reign and has brought it to an end.
   27 Tekel means ‘weighed’—you have been weighed on the balances and have not measured up.
   28 Parsin^[b] means ‘divided’—your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

 29 Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was dressed in purple robes, a gold chain was hung around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.

 30 That very night Belshazzar, the Babylonian^[c] king, was killed.^[d]

 31 ^[e]And Darius the Mede took over the kingdom at the age of sixty-two.

Background/Insight:

• Daniel again is not afraid to stand up and proclaim the hard truth.  It is likely that the king rewarded him for the bad news in hopes that it would help to sway the prophecy from coming true.    
• Belshazzar should have learned from the life lessons of his predecessor.  
• The defeat of Babylon in this passage not only fulfilled Daniel’s prophecy but also the one made by Isaiah as found in Isaiah 47:1-5.  

For your thought/discussion:

• Read through and reflect on the text again. 
• What lessons in life could and should you have learned from others experiences?
• Spend some time in confession and prayer.  What does this passage tell us about the pride of man and the sovereignty of God?

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.

Daniel 5:1-12

Today’s Passage: Daniel 5:1-12

(See the Intro to Daniel here)

 1 Many years later King Belshazzar gave a great feast for 1,000 of his nobles, and he drank wine with them. 2 While Belshazzar was drinking the wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver cups that his predecessor,^[a] Nebuchadnezzar, had taken from the Temple in Jerusalem. He wanted to drink from them with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. 3 So they brought these gold cups taken from the Temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. 4 While they drank from them they praised their idols made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone. 5 Suddenly, they saw the fingers of a human hand writing on the plaster wall of the king’s palace, near the lampstand. The king himself saw the hand as it wrote, 6 and his face turned pale with fright. His knees knocked together in fear and his legs gave way beneath him.

 7 The king shouted for the enchanters, astrologers,^[b] and fortune-tellers to be brought before him. He said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever can read this writing and tell me what it means will be dressed in purple robes of royal honor and will have a gold chain placed around his neck. He will become the third highest ruler in the kingdom!”

 8 But when all the king’s wise men had come in, none of them could read the writing or tell him what it meant. 9 So the king grew even more alarmed, and his face turned pale. His nobles, too, were shaken.

 10 But when the queen mother heard what was happening, she hurried to the banquet hall. She said to Belshazzar, “Long live the king! Don’t be so pale and frightened. 11 There is a man in your kingdom who has within him the spirit of the holy gods. During Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, this man was found to have insight, understanding, and wisdom like that of the gods. Your predecessor, the king—your predecessor King Nebuchadnezzar—made him chief over all the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and fortune-tellers of Babylon. 12 This man Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, has exceptional ability and is filled with divine knowledge and understanding. He can interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.”

Background/Insight:

• Belteshazzar was a name given to Daniel by the Assyrians.  It means, “Bel, (a false god) watch over you”  this is in contrast to his Hebrew name which means, “Yahweh is my judge.”  
• While Belshazzar, the king, is having a feast with his nobles his nation was being besieged by the Persians.  He must have felt safe within the walls of his city even if the rest of his nation burned.  
• The banquet showed his contempt for men and then his worshiping of idols showed his contempt for God as the silver and gold they were worshiping had been taken from the temple in Jerusalem. 
• To be clothed in purple was a great reward and meant being given royal authority. 

For your thought/discussion:

• Read through and reflect on the text again. 
• Have you ever been tempted to ignore the needs of others and pursue your own pleasure?
• Spend some time in confession and prayer.  In what ways have you showed contempt for God?

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.

Daniel 4:34-37

Today’s Passage: Daniel 4:34-37

(See the Intro to Daniel here)

 34 “After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever.   His rule is everlasting,
      and his kingdom is eternal.
 35 All the people of the earth
      are nothing compared to him.
   He does as he pleases
      among the angels of heaven
      and among the people of the earth.
   No one can stop him or say to him,
      ‘What do you mean by doing these things?’

 36 “When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before.
 37 “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud.”

Background/Insight:

• The King who had sought honor and glory for himself now acknowledged that the Most High lives forever.  In other words, the king’s rule is temporary but God’s rule is eternal and all powerful.  
• It is significant to note the king’s new understanding that man is answerable to God and not the other way around.    

For your thought/discussion:

• Read through and reflect on the text again. 
• Can you think back to a humbling time in life that God used to give you perspective?
• Spend some time in confession and prayer.  How does the understanding that you are answerable to God and not Him to you affect you?

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.

Daniel 4:28-33

Today’s Passage: Daniel 4:28-33

(See the Intro to Daniel here)

 28 “But all these things did happen to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later he was taking a walk on the flat roof of the royal palace in Babylon. 30 As he looked out across the city, he said, ‘Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor.’
 31 “While these words were still in his mouth, a voice called down from heaven, ‘O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you! You are no longer ruler of this kingdom. 32 You will be driven from human society. You will live in the fields with the wild animals, and you will eat grass like a cow. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses.’
 33 “That same hour the judgment was fulfilled, and Nebuchadnezzar was driven from human society. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven. He lived this way until his hair was as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails were like birds’ claws.

Background/Insight:

• The King’s dream comes to fruition 12 months later.  This would have given him ample time to repent if he had chosen.  Most likely, this time instead gave him a false sense of security.   
• At the height of his pride, God’s humbling judgement was made known.  

For your thought/discussion:

• Read through and reflect on the text again. 
• Has self-importance snuck into any areas of your life?
• Spend some time in confession and prayer.  Remember how great our God is and how deep our need is for Him.  

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.

Daniel 4:19-27

Today’s Passage: Daniel 4:19-27

(See the Intro to Daniel here)

19 “Upon hearing this, Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) was overcome for a time, frightened by the meaning of the dream. Then the king said to him, ‘Belteshazzar, don’t be alarmed by the dream and what it means.’
   “Belteshazzar replied, ‘I wish the events foreshadowed in this dream would happen to your enemies, my lord, and not to you! 20 The tree you saw was growing very tall and strong, reaching high into the heavens for all the world to see. 21 It had fresh green leaves and was loaded with fruit for all to eat. Wild animals lived in its shade, and birds nested in its branches. 22 That tree, Your Majesty, is you. For you have grown strong and great; your greatness reaches up to heaven, and your rule to the ends of the earth.
 23 “‘Then you saw a messenger, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, “Cut down the tree and destroy it. But leave the stump and the roots in the ground, bound with a band of iron and bronze and surrounded by tender grass. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven. Let him live with the animals of the field for seven periods of time.”
 24 “‘This is what the dream means, Your Majesty, and what the Most High has declared will happen to my lord the king. 25 You will be driven from human society, and you will live in the fields with the wild animals. You will eat grass like a cow, and you will be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses. 26 But the stump and roots of the tree were left in the ground. This means that you will receive your kingdom back again when you have learned that heaven rules.
 27 “‘King Nebuchadnezzar, please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper.’

Background/Insight:

• It appears Daniel has become fond of the king and the kingdom overtime as his fear over the dream has more to do with is care for the king than his dread in giving him bad news.    
• The cutting down of the tree and the humbling of Nebuchadnezzar is a reminder that it is ultimately God who governs all not men.  (timely reminder in the wake of a national election)
• The king would not be restored until he acknowledged that Yahweh is the most high authority, ruler and God. 

For your thought/discussion:

• Read through and reflect on the text again. Have you ever put yourself in the place of authority over God?
• What events or circumstances changed that perspective?
• What does this passage say about and to the rulers of our own nation?
• Spend some time in confession and prayer.  

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.

Daniel 4:1-18

Today’s Passage: Daniel 4:1-18

(See the Intro to Daniel here)

1 ^[a]King Nebuchadnezzar sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world:   “Peace and prosperity to you!
 2 “I want you all to know about the miraculous signs and wonders the Most High God has performed for me.

 3 How great are his signs,
      how powerful his wonders!
   His kingdom will last forever,
      his rule through all generations.

 4 ^[b]“I, Nebuchadnezzar, was living in my palace in comfort and prosperity. 5 But one night I had a dream that frightened me; I saw visions that terrified me as I lay in my bed. 6 So I issued an order calling in all the wise men of Babylon, so they could tell me what my dream meant. 7 When all the magicians, enchanters, astrologers,^[c] and fortune-tellers came in, I told them the dream, but they could not tell me what it meant. 8 At last Daniel came in before me, and I told him the dream. (He was named Belteshazzar after my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)
 9 “I said to him, ‘Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too great for you to solve. Now tell me what my dream means.
 10 “‘While I was lying in my bed, this is what I dreamed. I saw a large tree in the middle of the earth.11 The tree grew very tall and strong, reaching high into the heavens for all the world to see. 12 It had fresh green leaves, and it was loaded with fruit for all to eat. Wild animals lived in its shade, and birds nested in its branches. All the world was fed from this tree.
 13 “‘Then as I lay there dreaming, I saw a messenger,^[d] a holy one, coming down from heaven. 14 The messenger shouted,

   “Cut down the tree and lop off its branches!
      Shake off its leaves and scatter its fruit!
   Chase the wild animals from its shade
      and the birds from its branches.
 15 But leave the stump and the roots in the ground,
      bound with a band of iron and bronze
      and surrounded by tender grass.
   Now let him be drenched with the dew of heaven,
      and let him live with the wild animals among the plants of the field.
 16 For seven periods of time,
      let him have the mind of a wild animal
      instead of the mind of a human.
 17 For this has been decreed by the messengers^[e];
      it is commanded by the holy ones,
   so that everyone may know
      that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world.
   He gives them to anyone he chooses—
      even to the lowliest of people.”

 18 “‘Belteshazzar, that was the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now tell me what it means, for none of the wise men of my kingdom can do so. But you can tell me because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.’

Background/Insight:

• A large number of years has transpired between the end of chapter 3 and the beginning of chapter 4.  The best scholarly guess is about 30 years later.  
• The king’s belief that Daniel had the power of the gods show that he did not truly recognize Yahweh, the one true God.   
• Daniel is probably around 50 years old at this point in the book.  

For your thought/discussion:

• Read through and reflect on the text again. Has your passion for God ever faded over time?
• Have you ever had an experience that “shocked” you back into seeking God?
• Spend some time in confession and prayer.  

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.