In the politics of Daniel 5, the Medes and the Persians have joined forces to overcome Babylon. From secular sources, it appears that the armies of Darius the Mede were closing in as King Belshazzar gave his party. There certainly was a battle of kingdoms happening. But more than the earthly, political kingdom battle, there …
Daniel has been called to interpret the writing on the wall for King Belshazzar. Calling Daniel was the king’s last resort and the King seems to be a bit disrespectful of Daniel. Daniel 5: 17 Daniel answered the king, “You can keep your gifts, or give them to someone else. But I will read the writing …
In our story for the week, there was writing on the wall that appeared during the king’s party. No one could figure out what it meant. Finally, the Queen remembered Daniel. Daniel 5: 13-16 So Daniel was called in. The king asked him, “Are you the Daniel who was one of the Jewish exiles my father …
In Daniel 5, the king was giving a party. 4They drank the wine and drunkenly praised their gods made of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone. 5-7 At that very moment, the fingers of a human hand appeared and began writing on the lamp-illumined, whitewashed wall of the palace. When the king saw …
In Daniel 5, Belshazzar is throwing what the Bible terms a “feast” but what we would probably call an orgy. This king doesn’t worship the true God even though his ancestors acknowledged that Daniel’s God was the true God. Daniel seems to have fallen out of favor with the ruler. Where, might we ask, is …
The Oxford dictionary tells us that the phrase “the writing on the wall” has been used for four centuries in English to indicate that there are clear signs of something unfortunate or disastrous to come.[1] This phrase has its origins from today’s story. Last week our story was how Daniel interpreted a dream for King …
In our story of the fiery furnace in Daniel 3, the king was furious (the original language is literally “burned up”) when he heard the three friends of Daniel refused to worship the statue. As a result, they are bound in their clothing. The fire is so hot that the soldiers die throwing them in. …
The example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace of Daniel 3 has served as a model for Jews and Christians throughout history. Their faith statement is in Daniel 3: 16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we …
In the story of the fiery furnace, Daniel’s three friends do not doubt the power of God to deliver them from the king’s furnace, but they don’t presume that He will do so. If He does not, they are ready to take the consequences rather than compromise on such a contrived issue. When these three …
Daniel’s friends had refused to worship an idol because they knew the true God. Some of their co-workers decided to make this work to their benefit. They didn’t want to waste a good opportunity. Daniel 3: 8-12 Just then, some Babylonian fortunetellers stepped up and accused the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the …