This contains the account of a famous event in the Bible known as "The Writing on the Wall." In this event, King Belshazzar of Babylon hosts a great feast, during which he and his guests use the sacred vessels taken from the Jerusalem Temple for their revelry. Suddenly, a mysterious hand appears and writes on the wall, causing great fear and confusion among those present.
- Key Points:
Drunken Revelry: The verse describes the scene at King Belshazzar's feast, where the guests were drinking wine and engaging in excessive celebration. They praised gods made of various materials, including gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone. These materials were often used to create idols in ancient cultures.
Idolatry and Disrespect: The significance of this verse lies in the fact that the king and his guests were not only indulging in excessive drinking but were also engaging in idolatry by praising these false gods. Furthermore, they were using sacred vessels from the Jerusalem Temple for their worldly festivities, demonstrating a profound disrespect for the God of Israel.
A Divine Intervention: The sudden appearance of the hand writing on the wall is a direct intervention from God. It interrupts the king’s blasphemous banquet and signals that something momentous is about to happen. This moment underscores the sovereignty of God, who acts decisively to confront human arrogance and sin.
The Visible Hand of Judgment: The fact that the king sees "the part of the hand that wrote" emphasizes the supernatural nature of the event. This is not an abstract vision or an imagined phenomenon; it is a tangible and visible demonstration of God's presence and power. The hand writes a message that Belshazzar cannot read or understand, heightening the sense of mystery and impending judgment.
Light and Revelation: The mention of the lampstand highlights the deliberate visibility of the writing. The placement ensures that the message is illuminated and unmistakable, symbolizing that God's message of judgment cannot be hidden or ignored. The lampstand also evokes imagery of God as the source of light and truth, contrasting with the darkness of Belshazzar's actions.
- Significance:
Idolatry and Disobedience: It serves as a warning against idolatry and disobedience to God's commandments. The Babylonian king and his guests' actions symbolize the sinful nature of turning to false gods and disregarding the sanctity of sacred objects.
Divine Intervention: This verse is the precursor to the dramatic event of the writing on the wall, where God intervenes to deliver a message of judgment to Belshazzar for his actions.
Lessons on Pride: The entire chapter, including this verse, serves as a lesson about pride and the consequences of exalting oneself above God. Belshazzar's arrogance and lack of reverence for the sacred ultimately lead to his downfall.
The Consequences of Blasphemy: Belshazzar’s use of the temple vessels in a pagan celebration reflects his disrespect for God. By using what was consecrated for God’s service in a profane way, he symbolically challenges God’s authority. The appearance of the handwriting is a direct response to this blasphemy, illustrating that God will not allow His name to be mocked without consequence.
Human Helplessness in the Face of God’s Power: Belshazzar's reaction (described later in Daniel 5:6) reveals his fear and helplessness. His pride and arrogance evaporate in the face of the divine message, reminding us that no earthly power can stand against God’s will.
- Application:
Avoiding Idolatry: It reminds believers to avoid idolatry, which can take various forms in the modern world, including materialism, worshipping success, or prioritizing worldly possessions over spiritual values.
Respect for the Sacred: The verse underscores the importance of respecting and revering what is sacred in one's faith. It serves as a reminder to treat holy objects, places, and practices with reverence.
Consequences of Pride: Belshazzar's pride led to his downfall, and the verse encourages humility before God. Believers are prompted to examine their hearts and attitudes, avoiding arrogance and placing God above all else.
Respect for What Is Holy: Belshazzar’s actions warn us not to treat the sacred with contempt or indifference. While we may not have temple vessels in our possession, we are called to honor the things of God—His Word, His Church, and His commandments—with reverence.
God’s Sovereign Control: The writing on the wall reminds us that God is in control of history. Even when rulers or systems seem unjust or invincible, God’s justice will prevail in His perfect timing.
Accountability: Just as Belshazzar was held accountable for his actions, we too are accountable to God for how we live. His patience with us is immense, but it is not to be taken for granted.
Cross-References:
Exodus 20:3-4: "You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourselves an idol or any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth." These verses from the Ten Commandments reinforce the prohibition against idolatry.
Proverbs 16:18: "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This verse highlights the danger of pride and its potential consequences.
Galatians 6:7: "Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." God’s Sovereignty Over Nations: The writing on the wall marks the beginning of the end for Belshazzar and the Babylonian empire. This moment underscores that God is sovereign over all rulers and kingdoms. No matter how powerful a nation or leader may appear, they are ultimately accountable to God.
Daniel 4:17: "The Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will, and sets up over it the lowest of men." The Inevitability of Divine Judgment: The appearance of the handwriting serves as a warning of God’s judgment. The timing of the event—"in the same hour" as Belshazzar's blasphemy—demonstrates the immediacy of divine action when human pride reaches its peak. God's patience is vast, but there comes a point when judgment is rendered.
The Certainty of God’s Word: When God speaks, His words are true and certain. The message written on the wall ultimately came to pass that very night (Daniel 5:30). We can trust that all of God’s promises, both of blessing and judgment, will be fulfilled.
Daniel 5:4 captures the scene of excessive revelry and idolatry at King Belshazzar's feast, setting the stage for the dramatic event of the writing on the wall. It serves as a cautionary tale against idolatry, disrespect for the sacred, and the dangers of pride. Ultimately, the verse illustrates the consequences of turning away from the one true God and exalting false gods.
Daniel 5:5 is a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty, justice, and holiness. The miraculous writing on the wall serves as both a warning and a revelation, confronting human pride and pointing to God’s ultimate authority over all creation. For us today, it is a call to humility, reverence, and trust in the God who rules over history and whose word stands forever.
Daniel 5:4-5. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. In the same hour, the fingers of a man’s hand came out and wrote near the lamp stand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace. The king saw the part of the hand that wrote.