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No one has been able to interpret the writing on the wall of the banqueting hall in Babylon. However, in verse 10 a woman enters who tells the king not to be alarmed. It is unlikely to be one of Belshazzar’s queens – they were present already (v. 2). Most likely this is either Belshazzar’s mother, or a wife of Nebuchadnezzar. She is clearly someone who remembers Daniel (vv. 11,12), who now seems to have been out of favour at court (v. 13 suggests that). In verses 11 to 12 we are being given a rerun of chapter 4. The queen advises the king to call for Daniel.
Daniel is brought before the king (v. 13). Twice the king says he has ‘heard’ about Daniel’s wisdom and ability to give interpretations. His own officials cannot explain the writing. Daniel is asked for the meaning, and is promised high status if he can deliver (v. 16).
Daniel’s response in verse 17 stands in contrast to his earlier responses to Nebuchadnezzar. Instead of an exhortation to change, Daniel will pronounce judgement.
In verses 18 to 21 Daniel doesn’t interpret the writing on the wall. Instead, he gives another summary of the events of chapter 4. That this has happened twice in the section already suggests it is vital for what comes.
Verse 22 begins with a ‘but’. Here is a contrast. The contrast is between the response of Nebuchadnezzar in his acknowledgement of the Sovereign God, and that of Belshazzar. Daniel spells it out to the king in verse 22, ‘…you… have not humbled yourself’. Belshazzar doesn’t receive the dreams his father had. He didn’t need to know how he should have lived. This king knew the ‘gospel’ – he knew what had happened to his father. He knew that God was King and that he should live humbly before Him. Belshazzar is just like all people when they reject what they know. (See Rom. 1:18–32.)
God doesn’t have to give ‘new revelation’ in each generation. The writing of what God has done in the past is sufficient.
‘Instead’, we are told the decision of the king, ‘to set [himself] up against the Lord of heaven’ (v. 23). And we are told the evidence of that arrogance (vv. 23b,24a). In verse 24 we see the parallel of what it means to be against God. It is to be as Belshazzar who ‘did not honour the God who holds in his hand your life’.
Reflection
Chapters 4 and 5 (which come right in the middle of the Aramaic section of the book) present us with two ways we can live before God. We can either be humbled by Him or we can stand proudly against Him. Which are we seeking to do?
Scripture
About this Plan
The story of Daniel and his three friends is well known and well loved. But the account of these four men, in a far away land, is so much more than the lion’s den and a fiery furnace that we remember from Sunday school. In forty days, experienced Bible–teacher Justin Mote, shows us God’s goodness, provision and sovereignty, even when the situation seems out of control.
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