As Daniel prepared to interpret what we know of as the original “writing on the wall” to Belshazzar of Babylon, he [Daniel] provided some context about how Belshazzar’s offensive behavior towards the true God was even worse than what his predecessor Nebuchadnezzar had done, at least in part because Belshazzar knew better.
Then, Daniel ties it all together with “current events”.
Therefore he sent the hand that wrote the inscription.
Daniel 5:24 NIV
Sometimes, Daniel’s role pointed people back to the true God, by explaining that He – God – is the one who actually accomplishes the impressive things in their life. Those who acknowledge and honor God can see His work all around us, but those who choose to ignore Him sometimes need a more dramatic example of His power.
This statement that God – the God of the Jewish people – was responsible for the inscription is key. It not only places Belshazzar’s behavior in the context of an active and holy God who is watching his actions, but it also confirms the veracity of the interpretation that Daniel was about to deliver.
That is, the true God was the one who sent the hand and had given Belshazzar this message. So, it’s time for Belshazzar to listen up! (We can listen in and maybe learn something along the way, too.)
“This is the inscription that was written:
MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN
“Here is what these words mean:
Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.
Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.
Peres: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”Daniel 5:25-28 NIV
Although these words had additional meanings in this case, their “regular” meanings describe monetary weights (weighing out silver for payment), like mina, shekel, and half-shekel.
The Lookout summarizes the resulting phrase as “numbered, numbered, weighed, divided”. Mangano (p.225) writes, “God had appraised the empire”, He had “weighed the king in the scales of justice”, and has assessed the result.
There is much that could be read into this. For instance, one interpretation [ref. NASB footnote and Mangano] is that the two minas were two powerful kings of Babylon (Nabopolassar and Nebuchadnezzar II), the shekel – a mere 1/60 fraction of a mina – was Nabonidus, and Belshazzar was the half-shekel (or two halves of a shekel). Similarly, in the last term there is a bit of a pun, not only explaining the fate of the Babylonian kingdom, but also indicating that the Persians (along with the Medes) were going to take it over.
However, in simple terms, it was time for Belshazzar to pay the price for what he had done. His behavior had been sized up, he didn’t measure up, the days of his kingdom were up, and the kingdom was going to be given up to others.
God had prophesied through Jeremiah that Babylon would be repaid for what they did to Israel [ref. Mangano. p. 225]. While God used a heathen nation to discipline His people, that same nation still had to pay for its bad behavior when its time had come
So what do we learn from this interpretation that Daniel delivered to Belshazzar? I don’t think that the specific prophecy about the Medo-Persian empire taking over someone’s kingdom applies to you or to me. However, there are definitely some facts here that are still true for us today:
- God sees what we do, and He is paying attention.
- Mocking the all-powerful God isn’t a good idea.
- God’s promises are always fulfilled, even if we think that we’ve avoided them.
- However, God is also merciful. Although Belshazzar hadn’t made good decisions, Nebuchadnezzar was given a second chance.
So, if you’re already on God’s side, that’s great. He doesn’t promise a life on this earth that’s free from trials, but He does guarantee an eternity with Himself for those who accept His offer to return.
However, if you’re currently rebelling or fighting against God, it’s not too late to return to Him. He accepts everyone (well, actually He only accepts sinners, since all of us have sinned) into His offer of salvation through Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty for all of the bad stuff we’ve ever done.
Don’t wait to come back to God until you see your own “writing on the wall”, though. Today is a good day to accept His offer and turn back to Him. He’s there waiting for you with open arms. His love outweighs the sin that you’ve committed (and any that you will commit in the future), but you have to choose Him over yourself.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for June 23, 2024
References:
- The Lookout, June 23, 2024, © 2024 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Esther & Daniel, by Mark Mangano. © 2001 College Press Publishing Co.
- The Bible and Archaeology, by J.A. Thompson, © 1962, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., p.166-171.
Those Who Sin Differently 