7 30 03

10a

Daniel 5

In this chapter, Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar�s son, is the king of Babylon. He did not choose to worship God. What�s more, he chose to, in essence, spit in God�s face by bringing the gold and silver goblets � that Nebuchadnezzar had acquired from God�s temple � into the banquet hall so that Belshazzar and his entire court could use them. When they did, they praised the gods of silver, gold, bronze, et al.

Because of this sacrilege, a hand appeared in the banquet hall and wrote �mene, mene, tekel, parsen� on the wall. (This is where we get the phrase �The writing is on the wall�.) In great fear, Belshazzar promised riches, honor and high position to anyone who could both read and explain the words.

After a bit, Daniel was summoned and he gave a brief summary of Nebuchadnezzar�s �conversion� (my word) then read the words and interpreted them.

Because of Belshazzar�s arrogance and ignorance; because of his refusal to see God as the most high; God gave him a little warning. The interpretation said that Belshazzar�s days were numbered and his reign was over; that he was weighed on God�s scales and found wanting; That his kingdom was divided and would be given to the Medes and the Persians.

Kind of interesting, no?

That very night, Belshazzar was killed and Darius, the Mede, took control of the kingdom.

Makes me think I should be paying more attention to the �obvious� things of my life. I don�t particularly care to have a visit from that specific hand. Thank you anyway.