Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Do you have a picture in mind when you read this chapter?
• It is a dramatic chapter
• Nebuchadnezzar
• Belshazzar is a different kettle of fish
• No such happy ending
• Contrast Belshazzar and Daniel, then see the application

Belshazzar and Daniel

• Belshazzar's feast is a picture of opulence
• We understand that Babylon was being besieged by Darius and his army
• Belshazzar is basking in the thought that the city is impenetrable
• Belshazzar is suffering from pride
• Belshazzar's Feast
• Wholly inappropriate as the town is like starving under seige
• He drinks wine and revels in front of his guests
• He calls for the sacred vessels to be brought from the Temple
• They drink from the vessels
• They drink to idols
• His brashness and foolishness is being stored up (compare end of passage)
• He is proud, arrogant and puffed up
• This man who has inherited the Kingdom has lived off the fame of Nebuchadnezzar
• He has not earned the Kingdom
• His countenance changes
• He is a man who has always had what he wants
• He brings in the wise men to give the answer
• He offers up to a third of the Kingdom to those who would answer
• However, the best of men cannot understand the writing on the wall and fulfil his request
• He finds that after offering all the resources and gifts; he receives no answer
• In effect he is being answered 'no'
• When true reality begins to bite we see the true countenance of this man (v9)
• The queen then speaks to Belshazzar
• She speaks of the man of God who is a faithful servant
• We see more of the tactfulness of Belshazzar
• He says to Daniel 'Are you that conquered person?'
• He speaks in such a condescending manner to Daniel
• The reality starts to set in for Belshazzar
• The writing on the wall cannot be answered
• Daniel sets the most powerful man in the world in his place
• Daniel the least person warns the most powerful person of his own history
• Daniel warns him that he should have learned the lesson of Nebuchadnezzar
• Daniel warns of a haughty spirit and a hard heart (v20)
• Daniel is fearless and tells the truth
• Belshazzar cannot handle the truth
• Daniel was bold because God is with him
• God is against Belshazzar
• If God is against you - you have no hope
• "Mene, Mene" - your time has run out (v25)
• You are not in control
• Belshazzar is probably thinking that he has gotten away with his godless lifestyle
• Don't mistake kindness and patience for weakness
• God will be mocked
• He is not wishing that any should perish
• "Tekel" - you have been weighed in God's balance and been found wanting (v25)
• There is nothing He can do
• "Perez" - your kingdom is divided (v25)
• Belshazzar' character
• Daniel's character is consistent
• Belshazzar does not repent
• He ignores the warning and rewards Daniel
• In the foolishness of his heart he does not change his ways
• God's proclamation comes true
• Belshazzar is slain (v30)
• Darius rewards Daniel and makes him a governor (6:1-2)
• Daniel did not lose out before God
• God is no man's debtor

How about Us?

• We are not a king of Babylon but how do we respond?
• There is a time when we will be called to give an account
• It is not a case of our behaviour being weighed on a scales
• Our righteousness is a filthy rags
• Even our best is not good enough
• Even if someone came from the dead we would not believe
• We won't believe - due to pride
• Adam and Eve disobeyed God and fell into sin
• Which of us can pass judgement against them?
• Which of us has not sinned?
• Sin breeds wickedness but God has His restraining hand upon things
• Man chooses not to believe
• We may not be as presumptuous or open as Belshazzar but we are still condemned by our hearts
• Naturally, we are children of the devil
• Nebuchadnezzar humbled himself but Belshazzar did not
• Ps 62:12
• If we are at that point of despairing of ourself - do not look within yourself [but look to God]
• None of us knows the future or what will happen
• We can receive Jesus' righteousness through the cross
• We simply need to ask
• Jesus loved us and gave Himself for us
• Have you heard the voice of Jesus?
• Do we have an advocate?