Daniel 5: Writing on The Wall

Daniel 5: Writing on The Wall

v1-v4: Introduction

In the previous chapter, it ended with Nebuchadnezzar resume his position as the King of Babylon. In this chapter, it jumps to the time when Belshazzar was the king of Babylon, and skipped a few other kings before him. 

Historians said that Nebuchadnezzar reigned for 43 years. His son, Evil-Merodach (2 Ki 25:27-30; Jer 52:31-34) ruled for two years and was assassinated by Neriglassar who took over for 4 years. After his death, his son Laborosoarchod rule only for 9 months and was killed by conspirators, who then appointed Nabonidus as the king. He ruled until Cyrus the Persian conquered Babylon. 

Historians had believed that Nabonidus was the last king of Babylon; however, the discovery of the Nabonidus Cylinder in 1854 revealed that in later years of Nabonidus, he went to Arabia and lived there. It also showed that Belshazzar became co-regent in 3rd year of Nabonidus reign (553 BC), and continued until the fall of Babylon in 539 BC. 

Once again, it was proved that the Bible is an accurate source of the history. 

During the time of Chapter 5, the Medo-Persian army has surrounded Babylon. However, Belshazzar was not afraid of the siege as Babylon was built with a strong outer walls and gates made of bronze. There is also an inner walls separated from the outer walls with moats. 

In spite of being in the war, Belshazzar was overconfident and threw a large party in his castle. He brought in the utensils of Solomon's temple to be used for drinking wine and to worship the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone. This is an abomination of the sacred instruments used for worshipping God.  

This is similar to what our current generation is doing today. Despite the chaotic, sinful and warring world we live in, we threw parties and activities to distract our minds, instead of praying to God for forgiveness and mercy. Many people has already left the biblical morality and overturn right with wrong and to worship money, pleasure, power, and other idols. 

v5-v12: Belshazzar Wake Up Call

While they were enjoying their party, the finger appeared and wrote on the wall of the palace. And Belshazzar saw it when it was writing, and was so fearful that he became pale and his knees knocked together.  

(This is why we say "The writing is on the wall" when warning people that something will come to an end for him/her.)

He called in all his enchanters and Chaldeans and astrologers to read the writing and to interpret it. The person who did it will be the third ruler of the kingdom. The third ruler is after Nabonidus and Belshazzar. 

The queen heard about this and went to Belshazzar and told him about Daniel, whom Nebuchadnezzar had relied on to interpret dreams and explain riddles, and whom was made him the chief of the wise men. The queen is likely Belshazzar’s mother, the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar. The fact that Belshazzar didn't know about Daniel may indicate that Daniel had not been called by the subsequent kings since Nebuchadnezzar days. 

v13-v30: Daniel's Answers The King

Belshazzar told Daniel that his wise men were not able to interpret the writings, and that if Daniel can solve the problem, he will receive a gold necklace and be the third ruler in the kingdom. Daniel answered that he will interpret the words on the wall, but he did not want the gifts or the title. 

Daniel showed us once again that he is not going for money or fame; whatever he did was only for the purpose of honoring and glorifying God. There was no greed in him. This is how we should do our work and serve God. 

Daniel started with a summary of his experience with King Nebuchadnezzar (Nebu). He said God made Nebu a king and gave him greatness. However, Nebu became a tyrant and kill whoever he wants, and all the nations feared him. But when Nebu became proud and his heart was hardened, God brought him down from his throne and took away his mind so that he lived as a beast and ate grass like an ox. Only when he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdoms of mankind, and sets whoever He will to be the king, then he was allowed to resume as the king. 

Daniel boldly told Belshazzar that he already knew what happened to Nebu, but he has not humble his heart before God. Instead he had brought the sacred vessels to be used for his entertainment, and he has praised the gods of the elements who were not able to see, hear or know. But the God who gave him his breadth (life) and knows everything he did (i.e. "whose are all your ways" v23), he did not honor. 

Daniel proceeded to tell the meaning of the writing: "And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN. This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; TEKEL, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians." (v25-28)

“It should be observed, that each word stands for a short sentence; mene signifies NUMERATION; tekel, WEIGHING; and peres, DIVISION.” (Clarke)

The ancient Greek historian Herodotus relates that the Persian King Cyrus conquered Babylon by diverting the flow of the Euphrates into a nearby swamp. This lowered the level of the river so his troops marched through the water and under the river-gates. They still would not have been able to enter had not the bronze gates of the inner walls been left inexplicably unlocked. This was exactly what God predicted in Isaiah 44:28-45:7 and Jeremiah 51:57-58. God opened the gates of the city of Babylon for Cyrus, and put it in writing 200 years before it happened.  (enduringword.com)

v29-v31: End of Belshazzar and Babylon

Despite Daniel's refusal of the gifts and titles, Belshazzar insist on giving them to Daniel. A proclamation was made that he will be the 3rd ruler of the kingdom. However, the title is useless, as in that very night Belshazzar was killed and the kingdom will fall to the Medes-Persians kingdom.

Here the lesson is not to hoard wealth and power in our lives, for everything will pass away - either by our death or when Jesus comes again. Our focus is to let all knows of the salvation provided by Jesus through his death and resurrection. 

That night, Darius the Mede took over Babylon - "That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was killed.  And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old." (v30-31)

Epilogue

Verse 31 can be confusing.  In secular history, it was Cyrus who conquered and ruled over Babylon. There are no record of "Darius" during this time outside of the bible.  

However, Daniel seem to indicate that Darius was the first king from Persian-Median and Cyrus was the second. Some scholars suggest that "Darius the Mede" could be a title used for Cyrus the Great. However, it is incongruent to Daniel 6:28, that said: "So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian." (Dan 6:28)

Others think that Darius was actually Cambyses, the son of Cyrus, who served as a co-ruler of Babylon. 

Another group believes that Cyrus could have appointed the general who conquered Babylon to rule Babylon. His name was Gubaru, as mentioned in Nabonidus Chronicle. In other words, Darius could be the throne name of Gubaru. However, Gubaru died within a year after the conquest of Babylon and was not mentioned in secular history.

The fact that Darius the Mede are not found in any secular history, means that he is not really a king. I believe, whatever his real name was, Darius the Mede was a separate individual who ruled as a viceroy under Cyrus. Cyrus was still in control, and from the perspective of authority, we can say the Cyrus had done it, even though Darius may have carried out the actions.  Just like we can say that Joe Biden bombed Iran, when actually his generals and soldiers did.