Read Daniel 5:9-12. What does the queen say about Daniel that the king should have known already? What does it say about him that he seems ignorant even of Daniel’s existence?

As the banquet hall is thrown into confusion because of the mysterious message on the wall, the queen comes and provides direction to the befuddled king.

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She reminds the king about Daniel, whose ability to interpret dreams and solve mysteries has been demonstrated during the time of Nebuchadnezzar. If Belshazzar were as smart as his predecessor, he would have known where to turn to find the meaning of this mysterious writing. The intervention of the queen proves necessary for the king, who at this point seems utterly at a loss as to what to do next. Her words sound like a rebuke to Belshazzar for having overlooked the only person in the kingdom who can interpret the mysterious writing. And she also gives the king an oral resumé of Daniel: The prophet has the Spirit of the Holy God, light and understanding and divine wisdom, excellent spirit, knowledge; he is capable of understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas; he was chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers in Nebuchadnezzar’s time (Dan. 5:11-12).

At this point, we again wonder why Belshazzar had ignored Daniel. The text does not offer a direct answer to this question, but we presume that at this time Daniel, after serving the king at least until the third year of his reign (Dan. 8:1, Dan. 8:27), is no longer in active service. One factor could be Daniel’s age. He is probably around 80 years old, and the king may have wanted to replace the old leadership with a younger generation. The king may have also decided to ignore Daniel because he did not want to commit himself to Daniel’s God. But whatever the reason or combination of reasons, it remains striking that someone with such a portfolio as Daniel’s could be forgotten so soon.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

Amen!(0)

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1.  Let’s celebrate!. Shouldn’t memories of King Nebuchadnezzar stir Belshazzar, who is now in charge of the country, to show signs of divinity touching humanity in his heart? Instead, what do we see in Belshazzar? What does he see as the most important event he can stage?                                                      
2. Belshazzar’s feast. What is important about the drinking utensils he chooses for drinks at the party? How does the king turn this part of the celebration into a testimony to his gods? What gods does he honor? How do the six gods represent Babylon at its fullest? The drink offered in these  once-holy vessels is polluted in what way? Is there a “modern Babylon” in our world today? If so, what can you see around you that profanes the truth of God’s Word, even to the point of turning sacred liquid into junk? Or poison?
3. An uninvited guest. Imagine the surprise Belshazzar felt when he saw life-like fingers of a hand writing on the plastered wall. With the knocking of his knees together and his feet trembling mightily, the king frghtened those who saw him, but none more so than Belshazzar himself. Even though written in his native language, the words didn’t male sense to Belshazzar.
4. Enter the queen. Isn’t it true that sometimes women act more intelligently than men? After glancing at the words on the wall, the queen goes straight to Belshazzar and tells him what to do to learn the meaning of the message. What is it that she tells the king he must do?  How does she manage to be so successful in explaining why he should follow Daniel? Why didn’t Belshazzar think of Danial on his own?
5. Weighed and found wanting. Imagine the “shock and awe” Belshazzar feels when he goes to Daniel for advice. Daniel has a short explanation for the end of Belshazzar’s life, and the king hears of his failure in dealing with the Hebrew God. Can you interpret the vision of a handwriting on the wall? What do you think of Belshazzar’s apparent inability to seek the God who had shown His leadership of His people?
6. The Fall of Babylon. Why does the king offer an assortment of gifts to Daniel, and why does Daniel accept them? Or does he? How is it possible for the city of Babylon to fall so soon without a battle? How does Belshazzar react to the news the he is about to die? How did the city fall? Why did it fall? What lessons can the Fall of Babylon have for us living in this troubled time? 

Amen!(1)

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Key Thought: By removing dominion from Belshazzar, God shows what He will accomplish against the enemies of His people in the very last days. God rules the affairs of men..
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February 8, 2020

1. Have a volunteer read Daniel 5:1-11.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What did Belshazzar do that was so bad? What did it reveal about his character?
3. Personal Application: Have you ever seen in church services ways that God was profaned among God’s people? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “What are some ways that our society and culture profane the truth of God’s word and of God Himself?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Daniel 5:15-18.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What happens and why does the king respond the way he does?
3. Personal Application: Why do people flaunt the Bible and its teachings on moral living and directions on what we should and should not eat or drink? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why did the king offer the interpreter the third rulership of the kingdom with royal clothes and a gold chain?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Daniel 5:22-28.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What does this show about Belshazzar that he seemed to ignore even of Daniel’s existence and his grandfather’s conversion?
3. Personal Application: Even though judgment came quickly on the king, how can we learn to trust God when judgment doesn’t come so quickly on the enemies of God’s people? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Why did the king give him the reward for interpreting the handwriting, even though it was a negative reproof on the king and proclamation of his doom?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Daniel 5:29-31.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. Why was Belshazzar (Evil Merdock) called the king of Babylon? Nebuchadnezzar was dead and his son Nabonidus was off fighting a war. Why was Nabonidus’ son called the king of Babylon?
3. Personal Application: What position or things do we seek for that may actually be worth nothing when push comes to shove in the end of all things? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

Amen!(1)

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Read Daniel 5:5-8. What happens, and why does the king respond as he does? In what ways does this account parallel Daniel chapter 2, and why is that parallel important? (See Ps. 96:5, Col. 1:15-17).

As Nebuchadnezzar does in previous crises (Dan. 2:2, Dan. 4:7), Belshazzar calls the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers to clarify the mysterious writing.

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And to make sure that they give their best, the king promises them extravagant honors: (1) purple clothing, a color worn by royalty in ancient times (Esther 8:15); (2) a chain of gold, which was a sign of high social status (Gen. 41:42); and (3) the position of third ruler in the kingdom. This last reward reflects accurately the historical circumstances of Babylon at that time. Because Belshazzar was second ruler as co-regent with his father, Nabonidus, he offers the position of third ruler. But despite the tempting rewards, the sages once again fail to provide an explanation.

On top of all his sins, then, the king attempts to find wisdom in the wrong place. The Babylonian experts cannot uncover the meaning of the message. It is written in their own language, Aramaic, as we shall see tomorrow, but they cannot make sense of the words. This might remind us of what the Lord speaks through Isaiah: “For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden” (Isa. 29:14, NKJV). After quoting this verse the apostle Paul states: “Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (1 Cor. 1:20-21, NKJV).

Some truths are too important to be left for humans to try to figure out for themselves. That’s why God, instead, reveals these truths to us.

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

Amen!(1)

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Read Daniel 5:1-4 along with Daniel 1:1-2. What is Belshazzar doing that is so bad? How does it reveal his true character? Compare his actions with Revelation 17:4-6. What parallels can you find?

The king commands that the sacred utensils of the Jerusalem temple be used as drinking vessels. Nebuchadnezzar seizes the vessels from the Jerusalem temple, but he places them in the house of his god, which shows that at least he respects their sacred status.

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But Belshazzar turns the sacred vessels into drinking utensils in a most profane way.

While drinking from the sacred vessels, Belshazzar’s lords “praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone” (Dan. 5:4, NKJV). It is worth noticing that six materials are mentioned. The Babylonians used the sexagesimal system (a system based on the number 60) in contrast to the decimal system used today (based on the number 10). Thus, the six categories of gods represent the totality of the Babylonian deities and, therefore, the fullness of the Babylonian religious system. Interestingly enough, the order of the materials follows the order of the components of the dream statue of Nebuchadnezzar, except that wood replaces the clay. As in the dream, stone appears last; although here it designates the material composition of idols, stone also evokes God’s judgment upon worldly empires (see Dan. 2:44-45), which Babylon symbolizes.

This feast serves as an apt representation of end-time Babylon as seen in the book of Revelation. Like Belshazzar, the woman in end-time Babylon holds a golden cup and offers polluted drink to the nations. In other words, by means of false doctrines and a distorted worship system, modern Babylon lures the world into evil (Rev. 17:4-6), oblivious to the judgment that will soon fall upon her. One day judgment will come.

<–Sabbath Monday–>

Amen!(1)

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