“I have heard of you that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. (Daniel 5:14)
“But you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your Lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored.” (Daniel 5:23)
Verse 14 is Belshazzar’s attempt to compliment Daniel because he wants Daniel’s help. Notice how confused Belshazzar is about Daniel’s faith or beliefs. “The spirit of the gods is in you.” Here, he reveals his own belief in “the gods” and assumes the same of Daniel. Of course, Daniel believes in “the one true God, and no others,” which will be revealed in the rest of the story.
Verse 23 is Daniel’s reply to Belshazzar’s actions and words. First, Daniel notes that Belshazzar and his friends drank from the holy items taken from the Temple in Jerusalem. These items were sanctified (set-apart) for holy use in the Temple. Second, Daniel notes that Belshazzar and his party goers “have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know” rather than “the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways.”
From 1965 to 1982, Daniel’s words described me. I didn’t know that I was offending the one true God. I was just living life, having fun. But like Belshazzar, I stood rightly condemned before a holy God (Jn 3:18). I’m thankful for a classmate who regularly invited me to church, where I heard the gospel and believed.
Unfortunately, “That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was killed.” (5:30) He was just living life, and as the most powerful man in the world, probably thought he had time … lots of time. In his death, not only did he (and the Babylonians) lose his kingdom, but he also lost his soul.
Father, help me to make the most of the unknown time I have remaining. Amen.
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