Introduction

Daniel 5:13–31: King Belshazzar meets Daniel and asks him to interpret the writing on the wall from yesterday’s reading. Daniel rebukes him for not learning from the fate of Nebuchadnezzar and for acting proudly against God. He explains that the writing prophesies the end of Belshazzar’s kingdom, which quickly comes to pass as Darius the Mede takes power.

Today’s Key Verse: Daniel 5:23b GNT

[Daniel said:] “But you did not honor the God who determines whether you live or die and who controls everything you do.”

Read

13 Daniel was brought at once into the king’s presence, and the king said to him, “Are you Daniel, that Jewish exile whom my father the king brought here from Judah? 14 I have heard that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that you are skillful and have knowledge and wisdom. 15 The advisers and magicians were brought in to read this writing and tell me what it means, but they could not discover the meaning. 16 Now I have heard that you can find hidden meanings and explain mysteries. If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be dressed in robes of royal purple, wear a gold chain of honor around your neck, and be the third in power in the kingdom.”17 Daniel replied, “Keep your gifts for yourself or give them to someone else. I will read for Your Majesty what has been written and tell you what it means.18 “The Supreme God made your father Nebuchadnezzar a great king and gave him dignity and majesty. 19 He was so great that people of all nations, races, and languages were afraid of him and trembled. If he wanted to kill someone, he did; if he wanted to keep someone alive, he did. He honored or disgraced anyone he wanted to. 20 But because he became proud, stubborn, and cruel, he was removed from his royal throne and lost his place of honor. 21 He was driven away from human society, and his mind became like that of an animal. He lived with wild donkeys, ate grass like an ox, and slept in the open air with nothing to protect him from the dew. Finally he admitted that the Supreme God controls all human kingdoms and can give them to anyone he chooses.22 “But you, his son, have not humbled yourself, even though you knew all this. 23 You acted against the Lord of heaven and brought in the cups and bowls taken from his Temple. You, your noblemen, your wives, and your concubines drank wine out of them and praised gods made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone—gods that cannot see or hear and that do not know anything. But you did not honor the God who determines whether you live or die and who controls everything you do. 24 That is why God has sent the hand to write these words.25 “This is what was written: ‘Number, number, weight, divisions.’ 26 And this is what it means: number, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; 27 weight, you have been weighed on the scales and found to be too light; 28 divisions, your kingdom is divided up and given to the Medes and Persians.”29 Immediately Belshazzar ordered his servants to dress Daniel in a robe of royal purple and to hang a gold chain of honor around his neck. And he made him the third in power in the kingdom. 30 That same night Belshazzar, the king of Babylonia, was killed; 31 and Darius the Mede, who was then sixty-two years old, seized the royal power.

Reflect

When Belshazzar promises to reward him, how does Daniel respond (verse 17)? As he explains the writing, Daniel says that Belshazzar has not humbled himself despite what happened to Nebuchadnezzar (verse 22). What sins of Belshazzar have brought about this warning (verses 23–24)? Note that despite Daniel’s earlier response, Belshazzar rewards him (verse 29). What might this say about what faithful service to God looks like? How might you serve God in this way today?

Pray

Lord God, you have showered us with gifts and equipped us for your ministry. Make our hearts pure, that we may seek no reward but that of pleasing you. Strengthen us to speak and act today as humble servants of your holy will. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Daniel 6:1–10: The king’s administrators grow jealous of Daniel.