Analysis of Daniel Chapter 5
Daniel Chapter 5 is a dramatic and pivotal chapter in the Book of Daniel. It narrates the story of King Belshazzar, the last king of Babylon, and his encounter with a divine message delivered through a mysterious and terrifying event. This chapter is rich in themes of divine judgment, the transient nature of earthly power, and the sovereignty of God’s will.
Belshazzar’s Feast: Arrogance and Sacrilege (Verses 1-4)
The chapter begins with King Belshazzar hosting a lavish feast for a thousand of his nobles. During the feast, Belshazzar, in a display of arrogance and blasphemy, orders that the gold and silver vessels his father, Nebuchadnezzar, had taken from the temple in Jerusalem be brought so that he and his guests could drink from them.
This act of using sacred temple vessels for a profane purpose is a blatant act of sacrilege. It underscores Belshazzar’s disregard for the sacred and a clear indication of his arrogance and disrespect towards the God of Israel. This contrasts starkly with the earlier chapters where Nebuchadnezzar, despite his flaws, eventually acknowledged the supremacy of God. Belshazzar’s actions set the stage for the divine response that follows.
Additionally, the text highlights that they drank and praised “the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.” This enumeration signifies not only polytheism but also a materialism and idolatry that stands in direct opposition to the monotheistic worship of the living God. This feast represents the ultimate hubris of human pride, set against the holiness of God.
The Handwriting on the Wall: Divine Intervention (Verses 5-12)
As the revelry continues, a mysterious and disembodied hand appears and writes on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace. This supernatural event shocks and terrifies Belshazzar, described vividly as making his face turn pale, his thoughts alarming him, his limbs giving way, and his knees knocking together. The physical reaction of the king emphasizes the immediacy and severity of the divine intervention.
Belshazzar, greatly alarmed, calls for the enchanters, astrologers, and diviners to interpret the writing. This is a recurring theme in the Book of Daniel where pagan kings rely on their own wise men who are repeatedly shown to be ineffective in understanding divine messages. The same occurs here – the wise men of Babylon are unable to interpret the writing.
The Queen, likely the queen-mother, then reminds Belshazzar of Daniel, a man endowed with the spirit of the holy gods, who had previously given accurate interpretations of dreams and solved mysteries for King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel’s forgotten status in the reign of Belshazzar further highlights the king’s distance from the lessons learned by his predecessor.
Daniel’s Interpretation: Judgement Declared (Verses 13-28)
Daniel is brought before the king. Belshazzar offers him gifts and positions of power in exchange for interpreting the writing. Daniel, however, declines the gifts, indicating that his service to God is not swayed by worldly rewards.
Before interpreting the writing, Daniel delivers a rebuke to Belshazzar. He recounts how Nebuchadnezzar’s power was taken away when he became arrogant and proud, and how he was restored only after humbling himself and acknowledging God’s sovereignty. Daniel points out that despite knowing all this, Belshazzar has not humbled himself. Instead, he has committed an act of sacrilege by using the sacred vessels and by worshiping idols. This direct confrontation underscores the divine disapproval of Belshazzar’s actions and sets the stage for the interpretation of the writing.
The message on the wall – “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN” – is then interpreted by Daniel:
- MENE: God has numbered the days of Belshazzar’s reign and brought it to an end.
- TEKEL: Belshazzar has been weighed on the scales and found wanting.
- PARSIN: Belshazzar’s kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.
This prophecy signals imminent judgment. The repetition of “MENE” underscores the certainty of God’s decree, while “TEKEL” and “PARSIN” reveal the reasons and the outcome of this judgment. The use of measuring and dividing metaphors conveys God’s precise and just nature in assessing and redistributing earthly power.
The Fall of Babylon: Fulfillment of Prophecy (Verses 29-31)
In response to Daniel’s interpretation, Belshazzar fulfills his promise and bestows Daniel with a purple robe and a gold chain, and proclaims him the third highest ruler in the kingdom. However, these honors prove to be fleeting.
That very night, Belshazzar is killed, and Darius the Mede takes over the kingdom. This sudden and dramatic fall of Babylon aligns perfectly with the divine pronouncement. The swiftness of the fulfillment underscores the sovereignty and power of God, who governs the rise and fall of empires.
This event also fulfills the larger prophetic narrative seen throughout the Book of Daniel and other prophetic books of the Old Testament, which foretold the fall of Babylon and the rise of the Medo-Persian Empire.
Theological and Moral Lessons
The Transience of Earthly Power
One of the central themes of this chapter is the impermanence of earthly power. Belshazzar, despite his might and influence, is depicted as vulnerable and ultimately accountable to a higher divine authority. The swift and decisive fall of Babylon serves as a powerful reminder of the transient nature of human kingdoms compared to the eternal sovereignty of God.
The Sovereignty of God
This chapter underscores the overarching theme of God’s sovereignty. The dramatic events of Belshazzar’s feast and the handwriting on the wall demonstrate that God is actively involved in the affairs of human history. He sets up kings and deposes them according to His will. The prophetic accuracy of Daniel’s interpretation further affirms God’s control over the future and His ability to bring His plans to fruition.
The Danger of Arrogance and Blasphemy
Belshazzar’s downfall is a direct result of his arrogance and disrespect towards the sacred. His decision to use the temple vessels for his feast and his worship of idols represent a willful defiance of God’s holiness. The severity of his punishment serves as a warning against pride, blasphemy, and idolatry, emphasizing the need for humility and reverence towards the divine.
The Role of the Faithful
Daniel’s role in this chapter is significant. Despite being forgotten and marginalized during Belshazzar’s reign, his faithfulness and wisdom shine through in a moment of crisis. His courage to speak the truth and interpret God’s message without fear or favor highlights the important role of the faithful in bearing witness to God’s sovereignty and justice. Daniel’s example encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, regardless of their circumstances.
The Importance of Humility
Contrasted with Belshazzar’s arrogance is the humility required by God. The reference to Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling and subsequent restoration serves as a stark reminder that God’s favor is bestowed upon those who acknowledge His supremacy and submit to His authority. Humility before God is depicted as a key virtue that leads to divine favor and restoration.
Conclusion
Daniel Chapter 5 offers a sobering and powerful narrative about the consequences of arrogance and blasphemy, the transient nature of human power, and the ultimate sovereignty of God. The dramatic events of Belshazzar’s feast, the mysterious handwriting on the wall, and the sudden fall of Babylon serve as a reminder of God’s active presence in history and His ability to bring justice and judgment according to His divine plan.
For contemporary readers, this chapter provides several critical lessons. It calls for humility, respect for the sacred, and a recognition of the transient nature of worldly power. It also encourages believers to remain faithful and courageous in delivering God’s truth, as exemplified by Daniel. The chapter ultimately reaffirms the sovereignty of God and His overarching control over the affairs of nations and individuals alike.