CHAPTER SIX:
“MENE, TEKEL, PERES”
TEXT:
Daniel chapter Five
This chapter does several things within a
very brief time. It transpires an unknown amount of time between chapters four
and five. Most historians agree that Belshazzar is the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar
and not his immediate son. The ancients frequently used the expression “son”
for grandsons and great-grandsons. It is indicative of their heritage and in
the case of Nebuchadnezzar, shows the digression of “lessons learned” from
previous generations. It declares Daniel as nearly an “ignored blessing”
(examine verses 1- 13) mostly due the fact Belshazzar ignored the lessons he
knew from the time of Nebuchadnezzar (see verse twenty-two.) It declares the
end of the Babylonian empire and the beginning of the Mede-Persian Empire. Note
the conclusions happen within one night! The student will take note the brevity
of the matter, the suddenness of the matter and the certainty of the matter!
Belshazzar had received warning via the lessons to his predecessors. It is
simply the case he did not follow those examples. (vs. 22 – “though thou
knewest all this”) Similarly, souls today have received warning via spoken word
and example. Nonetheless, many refuse to follow the unerring advice and
uncompromising truth from God. Then, as Paul declared, sudden destruction comes
upon them (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3). The lessons within
this chapter should cause us a very detailed spiritual examination (2
Corinthians 13:5) and from that examination, take heed that we be NOT found
wanting in the balance!
Belshazzar evidently enjoyed parties and
had little care for treasured possessions. He was king and his subjects
fulfilled his desires. Refer to chapter one and note the capture of the vessels
from the temple and Nebuchadnezzar’s retention of them in his own storehouse of
his own gods. From chapter four, we see within Nebuchadnezzar the change from
paganism to an understanding of God and His omnipotence. While we do not know
from scripture the actual beginning of Belshazzar’s reign, or how long this
continued until this night party, we do know he was not respectful of God or
godly things “though thou knewest all this.” His order to bring the vessels of
gold and silver that rightfully belonged to the temple and therefore God’s
property was an obvious affront to the God of heaven! “Now I Nebuchadnezzar
praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are
truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.”
(ch. 4:37) With this publication and that of chapter three verse twenty-nine,
it is certain the proclamation of God and His power was not foreign to the
Chaldeans (“though thou knewest all this”); albeit it
was ignored! This would not be unlike the patterns of today’s world. While God
and His power are well proclaimed and documented, those who choose to ignore
Him and His saving Word do so without fear! How eternally sad
for them! The populace of Belshazzar’s party consisted of his princes,
wives, and concubines. The further evidence of a pagan society is their praise
of their gods of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood and
stone.
In today’s world, some might attribute the
next event to a “drunken stupor.” However, this is NOT the case inasmuch as the
astrologers, Chaldeans (their own wise men), and soothsayers saw the writing.
The fingers of a man’s hand came and wrote in the plaster of the wall. The very
sight of this happening would frighten folks, and it certainly did so with the
king. So greatly troubled by the sight, the king’s knees smote one upon
another. Calling in the wise men of
The wording of verse ten leads us to
believe the queen was not in the banquet room with the party, but instead came
later. Whatever the case, she cannot avoid the king’s countenance and realizes
he is greatly troubled. She reminds the king of Daniel: “a man in whom is the
spirit of the holy gods.” In this statement, one notices the digression from
the established reality of Nebuchadnezzar’s recognition of God. How she knew or
recalled Daniel is not stated. Yet, her attributes of him are honest and
forthright: “Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and
understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and
dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named
Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.”
Therefore, Daniel was called before the king.
The king’s
recognition of Daniel is distant at best. We know what the queen told him, and
whether this repeats her comments is uncertain. His only mention of his
grandfather (father) is in asking if Daniel is indeed a part of the captivity
brought from Jewry. Nonetheless, the king makes the same promised reward of
scarlet clothing, a gold chain about his neck and elevated to third in the
kingdom to Daniel if he can read the writing and interpret the words. It is
here Daniel reminds the king in specific terms, “You knew this and chose to
forget it!” Note the following points within verses 18 – 24:
1.
God gave
Nebuchadnezzar his power.
2.
God humbled him
when his heart was lifted up and his mind hardened
with pride.
3.
God changed him
from a man to a beast for seven years, then returned
his mind and his kingdom. For this Nebuchadnezzar praised the God of Heaven.
4.
God
will teach you a more severe lesson -- “And
thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord
of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and
thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them;
and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and
stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath
is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: Then was the part of
the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.” (emp. MJD)
The
emboldened words of the above text are the meat of this lesson and the words
each student must seriously consider as we endeavor a contemplation of
Galatians 5:22 – 26. Of the nine elements of the fruit of the Spirit, we are
aware of each one. Do we honor them and keep them constant in our minds, or are
we lackadaisical at times? Further, does this not teach us the value of lessons
learned from our fore fathers? Several serious battles were
fought valiantly for the cause of truth and righteousness and the
lessons learned from those conflicts need not be repeated if we remain loyal to
the triumphing truth! To ignore these lessons is to ignore the truth; and
subsequently dishonor those of faithful parentage whose efforts in defending
the truth prevailed! Belshazzar is a typical example of one who fails to heed
the lessons learned from those of his parentage, and further, an example of
those who ignore God in their lives. The application of Ephesians 6:1-4 is not
optional for either child or parent. While the parent cannot live the live of
the child for them, the parent need NEVER be guilty of failing to raise the
child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Another point of importance in
this study is the fact “he knew these things.” While some may choose to ignore
and forget the things learned, when reminded of these
realities the penetration of that tried and true truth returns with its sharp
two-edged sword. (Heb. 4:12). Indeed, dear student, there are many lessons to
heed from the simple phrase, “though thou knewest all this.”
Belshazzar’s pride was his undoing. Verse twenty-three tells us
precisely his knowledge of the temple’s vessels and his deliberate defilement
of them. Belshazzar simply refused to glorify the very God who granted him breath.
For this reason, the writing appeared on the wall! We know only the writing was
unknown to the Babylonian men. We are not told from
scripture the identity of the scripture, but we do know Daniel was very
familiar with the language. Some suggest it was written
in Hebrew, which language Daniel knew well. Yet, if the language were of some
other unknown identity, the wisdom granted Daniel from God would prevent any
difficulty in reading and understanding. It is already determinable from the
reason stated to Belshazzar the writing was detrimental to Belshazzar.
The
writing consisted of these words: “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.”
Having read them, Daniel proceeds with the interpretation:
The interpretation of the
writing becomes quite evident with Daniel’s truthful words. This wicked king
would die this very night. He would die without favor in God’s eyes (of which
the balance shows a fair analysis of his days!) His kingdom would
be divided and given to yet another empire.
One can only speculate regarding the presentation of the
promised gifts. Was it an appeal for favor from God? Was it a sign of remorse?
Was it full acceptance without challenge? Regardless of speculative questions
and answers, it is certain Belshazzar died that very night. Darius, king of the
Medes, and some sixty-two years of age now ruled. Daniel does not relate this
battle. However, if the student finds the interest, consult Isaiah chapters 13
– 15; 45; 46 and Jeremiah chapters 50 – 51.
Thus ends the reign of