Week 16: A Prophet of the Lord of Heaven Rebukes a Son
Week 16 | Daniel 5:13-23
Day 1 Deeper Daniel Father, open my eyes to see the truth in Your Word that I may know and love you more deeply.
Last week we read about how at the end of his reign, Hezekiah made a prideful decision. The prophet Isaiah told him that as a result the Temple vessels and royal sons would be exiled in Babylon. This was fulfilled in Daniel 1:1-3. This week we are going back to the beginning to read about the changes Hezekiah made in Judah after becoming King. Sometimes it is profitable to read a large chunk of Scripture to get the big picture of a character’s life and that is what we are going to do today. Instead of reading, you may wish to listen to the text; if so, go to biblegateway.com.
Read 2 Kings 18:1-8 and 2 Chronicles 29-31.
1. Reflecting on Hezekiah
Make a list of what Hezekiah did to help the people turn to God.
How would you describe Hezekiah’s relationship with the Lord?
Overall, what words come to mind when you consider the character of Hezekiah?
2. Now go back to each of those questions and ask them of yourself.
What are you doing to help people turn to God?
How would you describe your relationship with the Lord?
Overall, what words come to mind when you consider your character?
3. Next lesson, we will have one more Deeper Daniel Day devoted to Hezekiah. It will help us to process what we are seeing in Daniel 5. But because I had you all read the last of Hezekiah’s life first, I am sure you all are wondering:
What happened to Hezekiah? How is it that he started with faith and humility and then made such a grievous choice in pride? Talk to God about your questions. Think about the texts you have read. As God brings insights to your mind, write them down here.
How is processing Hezekiah’s life over time leading you to reflect about your journey with God?
Prayer – Praise God for your journey. Ask God to quickly convict you of any pride that rears its ugly head and to show you any patterns of prideful behavior in your life. Praise Him for our fully God|fully Man Savior who is humble and gentle. May we be follow after His heart and ways.
Days 2-4 Central Passage Father, open my eyes to see the truth in Your Word that I may know and love you more deeply.
Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king began speaking and said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel who is one of the exiles from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah? 14 Now I have heard about you that a spirit of the gods is in you, and that illumination, insight, and extraordinary wisdom have been found in you. 15 Just now the wise men and the sorcerers were brought in before me to read this inscription and make its interpretation known to me, but they could not declare the interpretation of the ]message. 16 But I personally have heard about you, that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems. Now if you are able to read the inscription and make its interpretation known to me, you will be clothed with purple and wear a necklace of gold around your neck, and you will have authority as the third ruler in the kingdom.”
17 Then Daniel replied and said before the king, “Keep your gifts for yourself or give your rewards to someone else; however, I will read the inscription to the king and make the interpretation known to him. 18 O king, the Most High God granted sovereignty, greatness, honor, and majesty to Nebuchadnezzar your father. 19 Now because of the greatness which He granted him, all the peoples, nations, and populations of all languages trembled and feared in his presence; whomever he wished, he killed, and whomever he wished, he spared alive; and whomever he wished he elevated, and whomever he wished he humbled. 20 But when his heart was arrogant and his spirit became so overbearing that he behaved presumptuously, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his dignity was taken away from him. 21 He was also driven away from mankind, and his heart was made like that of animals, and his dwelling place was with the wild donkeys. He was given grass to eat like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he recognized that the Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind, and that He sets over it whomever He wishes. 22 Yet you, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this, 23 butyou have risen up against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your nobles, your wives, and your concubines have been drinking wine out of them; and you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see, nor hear, nor understand [anything] But the God in whose hand are your life-breath and all your ways, [add emphatic pronoun Him] you have not glorified. 24 Then the [back of the] hand was sent from Him and this inscription was written out. Daniel 5:13-23 NASB
The bracket additions reflect J. Paul Tanner’s translation of this text in his commentary Daniel.
OBSERVE STRUCTURE
Ask: Where does the passage shift in organizing its elements? What sign words are used? What repetitions?
These two chiasms were taken from J. Paul Tanner’s commentary Daniel for chapters 4 and 5. Recall from Lesson 3 that a chiasm is a structure observed by noting a repetition pattern in Scripture that is then repeated again but in reverse order. Study the chiasms above to see those patterns. Note that chapter 5 only covers what we have read so far. Now go to the center of each chiasm -- E for chapter 4 and C for Chapter 5. Read the texts listed there in both chapters.
1. What do the center text for Chapter 4 (vs18-19) and the center text for Chapter 5 (vs13-16) have in common?
2. For Chapter 5, fill in the blank for A’1 with what you think would be a good “reverse” for A1.
OBSERVE DICTION
Ask: Which words/phrases might provide clues to the author’s message? What do they literally mean?
Ex. overbearing > hardened, grow strong. See Daniel 4:8, 19.
Ex. arrogant > lifted up. See Daniel 4:37; 5:19-20, 23.
Ex. ways > path or course of life. Goldingay translates this as “his whole destiny.” See Daniel 4:37.
OBSERVE DETAILS
Ask and answer simple w-questions: when? where? who? what? how?
What differences do you see between what the Queen Mother shared about Daniel (5:11-12) and what Belshazzar says to Daniel (Daniel 5:13-16)?
DANIEL’s Response to the King Who Made Him a Deal (vs 17-24)
What does Daniel want in return for giving the interpretation? (v17)
What actions does Daniel ascribe to the Most High? (v18)
What does Nebuchadnezzar’s “greatness” look like? Daniel gives four “whomever he wished” pictures (v19). List those:
What effect does Neb’s “greatness” have on the people? (v19)
Use a dictionary. Define these words in verse 20:
arrogant
overbearing
presumptuous
dignity
How many humiliations does Daniel list that Nebuchadnezzar experienced due to his pride? (vs20-21)
One more time...What did Nebuchadnezzar have to recognize before he could be restored? (v21). Quote directly: “until
How did Daniel just say, “Tell me my God is greater than your grandfather without telling me my God is greater than your grandfather”? (See verses 19 and 21.)
V22 -- What title does Daniel give to Belshazzar? ____ ____ . According to Daniel, did Belshazzar know that the Lord of heaven had humbled his grandfather due to his pride?
How has Belshazzar risen up against the Lord of heaven?
What inabilities do idols possess? (v23)
What abilities are in God’s hand that Belshazzar should have acknowledged? (v23)
Who sent the back of the hand to Belshazzar? (v24)
Why was the back of the hand sent?(v23)
INTERPRET
Ask: Why did the author choose to include these details and use these words?
1. Both Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar admit their wise men could not give them the interpretation.
Why do you think Daniel chose to center that particular admission in a chiasm of each king’s story? Remember the center of a chiasm is the text’s key idea.
Read Ephesians 6:12. Having served as the chief of the wise men, how might Daniel have experienced first-hand the truth of that statement?
What does the wise men’s failure to provide revelation foreshadow about the future for all submit to the rule of an idol?
2. Daniel refuses what the King offers and then offers the King a history lesson he did not request (vs.17-21)
In refusing the King’s rewards, what point is Daniel immediately making clear?
What is Daniel’s purpose in repeating “whomever he wished” when describing Nebuchadnezzar’s reign over all people?
Review how Daniel describes Nebuchadnezzar’s sins in verse 20. How did giving Nebuchadnezzar such power over people expose that he was indeed as Daniel initially described “the lowliest of men”? (Daniel 4:18)
What is Daniel’s purpose in sharing Nebuchadnezzar’s multi-faceted humiliation to his grandson? Consider the “whomever he wished” repetitions in verse 19 to “whomever He wished” in verse 21.
3. Review the bolded clue words in the text, especially those in verses 22-24. In general these words show addition, contrast, or cause and effect, but note how Daniel’s use of these words conveys his attitude toward Belshazzar.
Overall, how would you describe Daniel’s tone toward Belshazzar?
We never read that Daniel rebuked Nebuchadnezzar for putting the vessels of God’s Temple in Bel’s treasure house. Why does Daniel rebuke Belshazzar for his actions? Consider Daniel’s purpose in sharing Nebuchadnezzar’s history before shifting to rebuke Belshazzar.
What is Daniel’s point in saying that God holds Belshazzar’s breath and “his whole destiny” in His hands?
How soon did God send the back of the hand to write an undecipherable message to Belshazzar?
Why is that just?
APPLY
1. How does this passage point to the Person and Work of Christ in some way? >>>How will you exalt Christ?
2. How does seeing Christ in this passage convict you? >>>What are you going to confess?
3. How can you apply this passage in such a way that you look more like Christ and bring glory to God? >>>What are you going to petition God to give you to yield to His rule in your life and to advance His kingdom?
Day 5 Deeper Daniel Father, open my eyes to see the truth in Your Word that I may know and love you more deeply.
Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and the man became a living creature. Genesis 2:7 ESV
Daniel rebuked Belshazzar saying “...you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see, nor hear, nor understand. But the God in whose hand are your life-breath and all your ways, you have not glorified.” We are going to revisit our topic from Lesson 15 on the dangers of worshiping anything but our Creator, who gave us dominion over the earth, yes, but also created us from the earth, from humble dust.
Read 1 Corinthians 10:1-22.
What is Paul’s word of warning?
What is Paul’s word of comfort?
In this text, Paul connects idol worship to demon worship. This is relevant to our understanding of Daniel and his message that God ALONE rules the cosmos and each life-breath in it. Deeply consider the implications on man. God created man in His image; only in man did God breathe His very breath. We are spiritual creatures, set apart from all others to rule with humility under THE Ruler. For this reason, the enemy sought to destroy us.
Now you are going to read a simple and clear article that reviews Scriptures that bring more light to Paul’s connection. In your search engine, type “What do idols and demons share in common? Bible Hub.” As you read the article, click the blue verse references and read the entire reference that pops up.
Last week in Day 4 Deeper Daniel, we reflected on how worshiping anything other than God shows contempt for our Creator. We considered how such contempt affects our relationship with God and with those we love and serve.
As you read the summary of how Scripture connects idol worship to demon worship, what warning do you take to heart for yourself?
Daniel was able to worship God and bring Him glory in Babylon before two rulers now. Daniel knew the Word of God, its warnings and comfort. Consider how he applied it to his life so that he would not give any authority over his life to the evil one. How can you do the same?
Read 1 John 4:1-6. Reflect on that passage. Like Daniel you have the opportunity to speak truth to those held in bondage by the false teaching of the enemy in the world.
Reflect on the treasure of the Word God has stored in you His vessel.
To whom can you be a witness?
Why can you speak without fear?
Prayer – Read 1 John 4:1-6. Enjoy a time of worshiping the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit whom John loved. His willingness to accept the dominion God has given him to boldly breathe truth on those created in the image of God has brought the kingdom to many. Pray for the Spirit to breathe in you and through you as well.
Group Reflection Faithful in Exile
Triads & Quads Time – Get together with your prayer partners.
Prayer
Pray that we would be pure vessels and faithful witnesses to God all our days. Pray we would be willing to both be accountable to one another and to hold one another accountable to this end.
Pray for your global missionary partner.
Pray for churches who are serving in cities in struggle right now.
God’s joy & strength to you!