1. Belshazzar was not like his grandfather but of the baser sort!
Daniel chapters 5&6
A new king was on the throne of Babylon!
Daniel 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
Belshazzar was not like his grandfather but of the baser sort!

2. "The basest of men" can be taken two ways?
Daniel 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest <8215> of men.
8215 (Aramaic) {shef-al'}; adj AV - basest 1; 1 (1) low, lowliest (of station)
Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: …
This describes Jesus as “lowest” in his first advent but whom God will ultimately set over the “kingdom of God”.
It also applies here to Belshazzar and this man!

3. Story, History and Exhortation
Daniel chapters 5&6
The handwriting on the wall!
Belshazzar weighed and found wanting.
The empire of Babylon replaced by the Persian empire.
Darius the Mede (Father-in-law to Cyrus takes over)
Cyrus the Persian (The LORD’s anointed, Isa.45:1)

4. Who was Belshazzar's mother?
Daniel 5:1 Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.
After Nebuchadnezzar was his son Evil-Merodach who was assassinated after two years. Nabonidus succeeded and he had a son named Belshazzar by a daughter of Nebuchadnezzar.
From scripture, what can we learn of this queen.
She wasn’t named which in scripture can be significant.
She could talk to the king without an invite and be listened to.
She spoke well of Daniel vs. 12,13.
How good a mother was she?
What insights are there with this questions? 1. Since she isn’t names She hadn’t done much of a job with Belshazzar,
We will find she knew about Daniel v.11 but hadn’t passed this knowledge to her son. She wasn’t part of this feast.

5. The “Queen Mother” is thought to be Nitocris
Who was Nitocris? She actually was quite famous, the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar and most likely the mother of Belshazzar.
(Herodotus) “Nitocris, a wiser princess … She also made an embankment along each side of the Euphrates, wonderful both for breadth and height, and dug a basin for a lake a great way above Babylon” (From The History of the Persian Wars I.185)
According to Herodotus, Nitocris completed many of the works started by Nebuchadnezzar. She was credited with great wisdom and she was chief of public affairs, occupying the throne. She fortified the city as the Medes and Persians were advancing, and her son was on the throne when Cyrus ordered the taking of Babylon!

6. How could Belshazzar hold a drunken feast with Cyrus outside?
According to Herodotus, Babylon was about fourteen miles square, with great outer walls 87 feet thick and 350 feet high, with a hundred great bronze gates in the walls. A system of inner and outer walls with a water moat between the walls made the city very secure.
So broad and strong were the walls that chariots four abreast could parade around its top. Herodotus pictures hundreds of towers at appropriate intervals reaching another 100 feet into the air above the top of the wall.

7. Why was it wrong to drink from these vessels?
What are today's parallels?
Daniel 5:2 Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. 3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.
Note this was a “command” - a deliberate act.
It showed defiance to God.
In how we treat God’s word.
Showing contempt for God in our speech.
In playing sacrilegious music?
In corrupting others.
Could the handwriting be on our wall?
Yes for we too have been given special opportunity!

8. Why the addition of wood and stone?
Daniel 5:4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. 5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
Gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, stone = six, the number of man showing their trust was in what they had built. Also their gods differed in glory from gold to wood.
There is the echo to the image in Dan.3:1 all of gold.
What are our gods today?
What do we put our trust in --Man, Gold, God?
Where are most of our waking hours spent?
Is work our idol and do we justify it with
2 Thes.3:10 … this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
What can be the most damaging gods today?
Those gods that also take our mind, i.e.: worldly friends. films, internet, drugs!

9. Would Daniel have recalled the words of Isaiah 45:1 as he walked into this room?
Daniel 5:6 Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.
Isaiah 45:1 Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
There is little doubt Daniel would have a copy of this scroll and know this prophecy well.

10. (Ancient Babylon) The kingdom of men
Balshazzar was to find out the hard way what his grandfather found out (Dan.5:21) however his grand-father was moldable clay. Balshazzar was to find out:
Daniel 5:21 …the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.
The kingdom of men

11. Why could they not read the writing?
Daniel 5:8 Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof. 9 Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.
One idea is the hand and arm still covered the writing.
Daniel 5:24 Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.
(Rotherham)
24 Then was there put forth from before him the part of the hand, …

12. Why did Daniel reject the gifts?
Daniel 5:16 … now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom. 17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.
The obvious answer was that Daniel knew what was about to happen but what is to be learned here?
Exo. 23:8 And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.
Does this mean on our birthday we are not to accept gifts?
The lesson is gifts can blind and pervert. Birthday gifts are in a different category and today usually don’t have power to blind.
Who else rejected gifts?
Abram rejected not accepting anything from the king of Sodom.
Elisha rejected Naaman’s gifts.

13. Daniel did accept! Daniel however would have weighed this command.
Daniel 5:29 Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
Daniel however would have weighed this command.
Did it go against God?
Did it obligate him/us in taking?
Would it corrupt him/us?
Daniel also knew the hand writing was on the wall therefore allowing this would be temporary.
He also had the previous experience with Nebuchadnezzar and had faithfully used his position therefore being 3rd ruler wouldn’t blind or pervert him.

14. What is today’s meaning -- the hand writing is on the wall?
Daniel 5:24 Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. 25 And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
Numbered, numbered, weighed, divided. Mene was doubled because the outcome was established from God.
Your fate is determined.
Belshazzar was weighed and found wanting. He was aware of what happened to his grandfather and yet commanded to drink from the temple vessels blaspheming the God of heaven and earth.
Why is “upharsin” plural?

15. Daniel 5:28 is helpful:
v.28 “PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”
“Peres” is singular for “pharsin”. Cyrus the Persian took the city but had Darius the Mede rule therefore “upharsin” is plural = (Cyrus & Darius) After two years Darius died and Cyrus took control of Babylon.

16. Who conquered Babylon?
Daniel 5:30 In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. 31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.
Cyrus conquered Babylon and had his father-in-law take the kingdom & rule it.
Darius is a title meaning "subduer". In v.30 it was a title given to Cyaxares II son of Astyages and the father-in-law of Cyrus.

17. At the time of Esther how many
provinces were there?
Daniel 6:1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; 2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.
Notice it doesn’t say Darius THE MEDE, Dan.5:30. Darius is a title and here is thought to be Cyrus the Persian.
Esther 1:1 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)
Esther about 30 years later in 510 BC.
Daniel chapter 6

18. Confusion!
Daniel 6:28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius (Cyaxares II), and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
However once Darius and Ahasuerus are understood as titles much of the confusion is removed.
Darius = “lord” and in Aramaic means “subduer”.
Darius was the title here given to Cyaxares II, father in law to Cyrus and who gave him authority over Babylon. He died two years later in 536 B.C.
Daniel 9:1 In the first year of Darius (Cyaxares II) the son of Ahasuerus (Astyages) of the seed of the Medes, which was made (by Cyrus) king over the realm of the Chaldeans.
“Ahasuerus” in Ezra 4:6 was Cambyses, son of Cyrus. According to Kitto’s Bible Encyclopedia signifies ‘The Mighty’ and this title given to at least four kings.

19. How old was Daniel at this time?
Daniel 6:3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king (Cyrus) thought to set him over the whole realm. 4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
Daniel would have been between 80 to 90 years old, depending on his age when taken captive around 607 B.C.. Daniel must have been blessed with health and strength to have this position and for men to envy him.

20. Who enjoyed the most power, Nebuchadnezzar or Cyrus?
Daniel 6:7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
Nebuchadnezzar for Cyrus couldn’t deliver Daniel. This is one reason why gold was the symbol for Babylon and silver for the Medo-Persians, i.e. Daniel 2:39 “And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee”.

21. What is the lesson when we find ourselves
being pushed by urgency and flattery?
Daniel 6:5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. 6 Then these presidents and princes assembled <7284> together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.
7284 (Aramaic) {reg-ash'}; v AV - assembled 2, assembled together 1; 3( 1) to be in tumult.
These officials presented themselves with great flattery and urgency. The urgency is thought to prevent a tumult.
Work for time for few major decisions will not wait for time to pray and sleep on them.
This is what Joshua should have done before making a league with the Gibeonites.

22. Should we pray three times a day?
Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
The following scriptures are helpful in answering this question:
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. …
Ecclesiastes 5:2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
Nehemiah 2:4 Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.
Why didn’t Daniel shut the window?
Daniel had come to know how God works and having faith didn’t try to make changes.
Doing the daily readings is so helpful in knowing how God works.

23. Why note Daniel’s origin?
Daniel 6:13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.
As seen in Esther the Jews were despised fulfilling the curse in Deu. 28:37.
Deuteronomy28:37 And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.

24. Why couldn’t Cyrus save Daniel?
Daniel 6:14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.
Because of the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree nor stature which the king established could be changed.
What was the purpose of making such a law?
To avoid uncertainty, delay and erosion of authority.

25. Did Cyrus have faith or was this just nice to say?
Daniel 6:16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver <7804> thee.
7804 (Aramaic) {shez-ab'}; v AV - deliver 9; 9x. YLT = “doth deliver thee”.
What about v.18 saying Cyrus spent a sleepless night worrying.
The RSV and NIV say “May thy God … save thee”
What about the words of Isaiah the prophet?
Did Cyrus have faith or was this just nice to say?

26. Cyrus – “a righteous man”?
Isaiah41:2 Who raised up the righteous <6664> man from the east (Christ echo), called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow.
2 Chronicles 36:22 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, … the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus …23 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, …” (Another Christ echo)
Isaiah 44:28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd,<7462> and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. (A further Christ echo)
7462 ra`ah {raw-aw'} AV - feed 75, shepherd 63, 173
Cyrus named compared to Alexander who is not.
6664 tsedeq; AV - righteousness 77, just 11, justice 10, righteous 8, misc 10; 116

27. Why did God shut the mouths of the lions?
Daniel 6:18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him. 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
We don’t know the mind of God nor would we limit this test just for Daniel’s sake, i.e.
This would have strengthen Cyrus’ faith.
Daniel would have preached to Cyrus as he did to Nebuchadnezzar.
God is a God of justice and those who thought to kill Daniel were killed.

28. Will Cyrus be in God’s kingdom?
Daniel 6:26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.
It still says the “God of Daniel” but this is tempered by the next statement “he is the living God” and His kingdom would not be destroyed.
Further there is little doubt God was working with this “righteous” king, God’s “shepherd” who is named plus the closing of the mouths of the lions to Daniel and not for his enemies would greatly strengthen Cyrus’ faith which is one of three ingredient for salvation.
Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

29. Bible examples of what goes around comes around.
Daniel 6:24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.
Haman hanged on the gallows built for Mordecai.
Asa put the prophet Hanani in stocks and God smote Asa in the feet.
Caiaphas who is to be raised to see Jesus at the right hand of power. (Mt. 26:64)

30. How did the experiences of Daniel foreshadow those of Jesus?
Daniel and Jesus incited the envy of their contemporaries. (6:3-4; Mt. 27:18)
Both their enemies attacked using their worship of God.
A stone was used to close the opening in both cases.
Both were brought out of the pit alive.
Both escaped with no hurt – not a bone broken (6:24; Jn.19:31,36).

31. Would any of these parallels been a source of help to Jesus as he went through his trial?
Both watched and spied upon (6:4: Lk.20:20)
Both found faultless (6:4; Lk. 20:20)
Both deaths sealed (6:9; Lk.23:24)
Both accused of treason (6:13; Jn. 19:12)
Both leaders tried to release their prisoner (6:14; Jn.19:12)
Both leaders frustrated, tricked and manipulated (6:14; Jn.19:12)
Both trials involved a tumult (6:15,6,11; Mt.27:14)
Both declared innocent (6:22; Acts 2:31, 13:37)
Both no bones broken (6:24; Jn.19:31,36)
Accusers destroyed by lions (6:24; Lk.21:20-24; 1Pe.5:8)

32. Jesus inspired by Daniel and so are we!
Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known.