The Daniel Files: 06 – Your Days Are Numbered

(Reflections and notes on Daniel 5. The series so far had an introduction before considering the way Daniel and his friends settled in the strange land. This was followed by explorations in how the righteous emerged from a ridiculous situation. This was the set up for the trial by fiery furnace that was contemplated. Previously, the pride of Nebuchadnezzar was brought to a pivotal confrontion with the creator.)

Judgement. It’s a word that we cannot escape. When something wrong happens, for justice to be done there is an expectation of a judgement. When we are accused and we want justice to be done on our behalf, there is an expectation of judgement. Often, however, it can seem like if you’re rich and powerful you can get away with injustices. Those in positions of power and influence appear to get away with indiscretions that others are heavily punished for.

Whilst living in the foreign land because of the righteous judgement of God for the injustices as well as the iniquities of the people, Daniel is still in a position to see how God still exercises His righteous rule even over a pagan king. As it’s happened to the king in a manner that could not be covered over, the records a re clear on who really rules in the affairs of men. Nebuchadnezzar not only acknowledged this privately, but clearly made it something for his kingdom to pay careful attention to.

You are his successor, O Belshazzar, and you knew all this, yet you have not humbled yourself. For you have proudly defied the Lord of heaven and have had these cups from his Temple brought before you.

Daniel 5:22-23 (NLT)

So what is it about his successor Belshazzar? What is it about him that should be aware of his predecessor’s great glories and yet clear judgement and totally ignore it? This is not a case of failing to learn from history leading to its repetition. This is a lot worse. This is failing to learn from history leaving you having to pay for it. Pay for it in a fatally final way. Here’s King Belshazzar, who may be in a position of power, but even he does not escape the hand of the Lord. He’s not too grand to overlook the need for divine judgement.

He pitches a great time of revelry for his gods. His decadent display is in defiance of history. He can treat the treasures of Yahweh as though they are his trinkets, vessels for his opulence, items for his convenience fit to pay homage to his own idols. In other words, he doesn’t rate this God to be much of one at all. He treats the God who is unseen wth such disdain.

Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation.

Daniel 5:17 (ESV)

The role of Daniel in this scene is fascinating. We recall that in encounters with Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel was keen for the king to be careful and to turn to God. Daniel’s approach to Belshazzar is not as conciliatory. Things like this indicate that this incident is not a one-off and surprising action from the King. It’s not as though Belshazzar’s actions are out of character. Daniel’s fairly blunt manner before the king reflects someone who serves and obeys a greater king than Nebuchadnezzar’s substandard successor. He’s not rude or behaves in an insubordinate way. He does however essentially says that whatever the king offers means nothing to him – and it takes some chutzpah to have such an engagement with the ruler of the kingdom – however brief his time is left.

This is what these words mean:

Mene means ‘numbered’—God has numbered the days of your reign and has brought it to an end.
Tekel means ‘weighed’—you have been weighed on the balances and have not measured up.

Daniel 5:26-27 (NLT)

Notice how God has made public His decision to disregard this king, just as the king made public his disrespect of the Almighty God who is no stranger to this king. God had made it abundantly apparent even to this great super power, that He alone is the one that puts people in power and He is just as capable of removing them. He is not unfair in His judgement. It’s a matter of putting things in the balance and seeing how things are weighted. God clearly had expectations of this King. These expectations were clearly something that Belshazzar could have lived up to. Instead, his actions of decadent defiance have now cost him more than his life. All because of the hand of God on the situation.

Administrations, empires, kingdoms come and go and God oversees them all in the grand scheme of things. However, big, powerful and then decadent they become, they still have to answer to a righteous God. That’s assuring at times when some decisions are made and apparently those in positions of power are allowed to get away with injustices. No, this is not so, they actions are seen. Their actions will likewise be judged. Judges in righteousness and justice.

Today, this episode is not just for us to feel better that God will come in for the judgement. This is an indication of the bigger picture of what God is doing with everything that is wrong and evil, that ignores His clear expressions of awesome power and might. This is an indication that all those who defy Him in acton will be judged.

You don’t have to rule over much to fall into that category. That capacity to overlook what history says and defy all the wisdom that points to acknowledging God. That will not be allowed to just run. While we hear this message, it’s a sobering time to consider where we would be in the weighing up of things. how that should get us to consider what God has provided to justly deal with our defiance and rebellion. How Jesus was sent to take the situation to the cross and offer an opportunity for all – King and pauper to repent and put trust in Him and live the life that He designed for us. Not one in pursuit of decadence, but the humble desire to walk with the Lord in doing what is right and extending mercy where we can.

One day this same Creator of the universe will judge again and it’s only faith in Jesus that will help us escape a fate even worse than Belshazzar’s.

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Questions from Daniel 5

What does this episode tell you about the character of God?

How would you describe Belshazzar’s behaviour before the handwriting was on the wall?

What factors can cause us to forget the lessons history gives us about God?

What do you learn from Daniel’s approach to the situation?

Contrast the legacy of Belshazzar and Daniel at this stage in their lives.

Belshazzar was judged – does this mean there are times when modern day equivalents face the same thing? Why or why not?

Should this episode in the life of Daniel reassure you or warn you? Explain your answer.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden