Review of Daniel 1–4 Daniel 1: A Tale of Two Diets. Daniel 2: God’s Wisdom, Sovereignty, and a Stay of Execution (The dream of the statue) Daniel 3: Faith Under Fire in the Furnace Daniel 4: A Nightmare on Babylon Street (The king loses his sanity)

The Handwriting is on the Wall Daniel 5

Historical Background to Daniel 5 “Those who walk in pride, He is able to humble…” (Daniel 4:37): A foreshadowing Belshazzar, “son” or “successor” of Nebuchadnezzar (“O Bel, protect the king”) Daniel 5 takes place in October 539 BC (Nebuchadnezzar died in 562 BC) Nabonidis, son of Nebuchadnezzar, had a coregency with his son, Belshazzar (562 – 539 BC) Babylon fell to Medo-Persian Empire that night (Dan 5:31) Persians dug trench around city, diverting Euphrates River and entered through the riverbed under the walls.

Daniel 5 Discussion Questions Why is it that the FSU crowd and players get very upset when an opposing team jumps up and down on the Seminole head in the center of Bobby Bowden field? What was significant about the goblets used in the king’s party (vv. 1–4, 23)? What have we seen consistently in the character of Daniel that is recognized by the pagans he lived among? Do you think that this campus ministry stands out in the University culture? If so, how? If not, how should we and how do we accomplish it?

Party Crasher (Dan 5:1–9) King Belshazzar used some of the 5,400 gold and silver vessels looted from the Temple (Ezra 1:7–10) Drinking from these goblets and praising gods made out of some of the same materials associated them with heathen worship, a sacriledge. “the knots of his loins were loosed” The king was so frightened that either he shook so violently that his joints knocked together to the point of his collapse or he lost total control of his bowels. The original language indicates that the king screamed repeatedly for his advisors to come and interpret.

Daniel Remembered (Again) (Dan 5:10–16) “The queen” – probably the queen mother (mother of Belshazzar) since she was not included among the wives in the banquet Daniel described “spirit of the holy gods in him” (v. 11, 14; 4:18) Insight, intelligence, wisdom like the gods (v. 11) Apparently, demoted or retired from former position of chief of “wise men” (v. 11; 2:48) since Nebuchadnezzar died. Daniel, unlike the “wise men”, a third time is able to interpret (Daniel 2, 4, 5). He did not want bribes from the king (v. 17).

Handwriting on the Wall (Dan 5:18–28) Daniel recounts Chapter 4 in 5:18–22 Unlike Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar does not learn his lesson. Again, “Lord of Heaven” is used as in 2:18, 19, 28, 37, 44; 4:37. God is over human affairs. Notice the stupidity of honoring lifeless gods while dishonoring the God that holds Belshazzar’s life in His hands (vv. 22–23; Isa 40:18–20; 44:9–20; Hab 2:18–20; Ps 115:2–8).

Handwriting on the Wall (Dan 5:18–28) Mene: “mina” or 60 shekels; verb=“numbered” Tekel: “shekel”; verb=“weighed” Parsin: “two peres” or half-shekel; verb=“divided”

Handwriting on the Wall (Dan 5:18–28) Mene, Mene = Your days have been numbered Tekel = You have been weighed on the balance scales and found lacking Parsin = Your kingdom is divided and handed over to the Medes and Persians Two interesting points: Mene (60) + Tekel (1) + Parsin (2 halves) = 62 shekels. Darius the Mede took over the Babylonians at the age of 62! October 539 is the Babylonian month Teshrit, associated with the constellation Libra. In Babylon, this constellation was known as “The Scales”! It first appears in the middle of the month. This was Teshrit 16!

Daniel Rewarded in Vain (Dan 5:29–31) Although Daniel initially denied the rewards (v. 17), he could not refuse the king (v. 29). He became the 3rd highest ruler in the kingdom (1. Nabonidus, Belshazzar’s father who was away; 2. Belshazzar; 3. Daniel). This all came to nothing because that very night, the king was slain and Medo-Persian came into power (vv. 30–31). Darius the Mede: probably another name for Cyrus the Great (550–530 BC).