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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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 5:4. 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.