What, obviously, was Belshazzar’s attitude toward “the holy gods”?
(Daniel 5:1-31; Isa. 45:1-4; ) Blog Jan. 26-Feb. 1, 2020
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Daniel 1 gives three keys for understanding the book: the key of explanation, the key for interpretation, and the key of operation. In chapter two God revealed future world history using a “1, 2, 3, 4, 10, bang, results” outline. The restoration of God’s kingdom through crisis was prophesied in chapter 2 and illustrated in chapter 3. The story told in chapter 4 illustrates the restoration of God’s king through crisis.
Belshazzar’s Feast (Daniel 5:1-12; Jer. 9:23-24; Rev. 9:20)
1. What were the political conditions when Belshazzar made his feast? His father Nabonidus was away in battle, Cyrus’ army was surrounding the city, & Belshazzar felt secure within Babylon’s massive walls.
2. By serving the wine of Babylon in sanctuary vessels what common method of Satan is demonstrated? That of using Biblical terms & images to communicate Satanic lies.
3. What facts about Belshazzar’s feast indicate that God’s sanctuary plays a key role in this story? The triple mention of the “house of God” besides the use of sanctuary vessels & God’s candlestick.
4. Who are the gods that Belshazzar and his guests praised while drinking wine? The gods of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, & stone.
5. When the handwriting appears on the wall how does Belshazzar demonstrate his source of guidance? By calling the nation’s wise men rather than seeking God’s representative.
6. Why were the nation’s “brain trust” unable to read the writing on the wall? Because it was the Word of God & only Spirit-filled believers can read it with understanding.
7. Who was not at the feast but was able to tell Belshazzar who could read the writing with understanding? His grandmother, the queen (most likely a converted woman).
Daniel’s Sermon (Daniel 5:13-24; Isa. 45:1-4; Jer. 25:11-12)
8. When Daniel is brought into the palace what shows that Belshazzar was without excuse? The fact that he knew Daniel’s whole history.
9. What, obviously, was Belshazzar’s attitude toward “the holy gods”? He didn’t like them & avoided their presence.
10. Why did Daniel not greet the king with the standard greeting: “O king, live forever”? Because he knew by Scripture that Cyrus would conquer Babylon & the seventy years prophesied by Jeremiah was about over.
11. With what story does Daniel begin his sermon? The story of Nebuchadnezzar’s pride, insanity, & recovery.
12. What had Belshazzar not done though he knew the entire story of his grandfather’s pride, insanity, & recovery? He had not humbled his heart before God.
13. What additional sin brought an end to Belshazzar’s probation? The sin of despising God by mocking his vessels & praising the gods of Babylon.
God’s Writing (Daniel 5:25-31; Rev. 17:1-18)
14. In our language what were the words God wrote on the palace wall? “Number, number;” “weigh;” “divide.”
15. How do these words illustrate the “operative principle” taught in chapter 1? They show an extended period of time during which records are kept, followed by a final test which produces immediate results.
16. What should we learn from the reference that God wrote on the “plaster”? Once God wrote in sand the sins of men, once he wrote in stone the Law of God, & here he wrote on plaster how he deals with humanity thus showing the permanency of each.
17. How did Daniel apply the words written on the wall? “God has kept a record of your entire life. Tonight your case came up in judgment. You are sentenced to lose your kingdom to the Medes & Persians.”
18. How does this story illustrate the restoration of God’s sanctuary? By depicting a judgment crisis that ended Babylonian rule & brought in Cyrus who would decree the restoration of God’s sanctuary.