Daniel has been asked by King Belshazzar to explain the handwriting on the wall. Daniel’s primary message is that the Most High God is ‘ruler over the realm of mankind’ and secondarily ‘He sets over it whomever He wishes’. You could say thirdly that man’s response to the Most High God’s dominion influences His approval and elevation or disapproval and removal of the man.
Daniel expalins to King Belshazzar that his father, Nebuchadnezzar, learned this lesson. Daniel tells him that, “…the Most High God granted sovereignty, grandeur, glory and kamjesty to Nebuchadnezzar your father. Because of the grandeur which He bestowed on him, all the peoples, nations and men of every language feared and trembled before him (Nebuchadnezzar)..” (vs 18 – 19a).
But Nebuchanezzar became proud and there was a consequence, “…he was deposed from his rotyal throne and his glory taken from hi. He was also driven way from mankind, and his heart was made like that of beasts, and his dwelling place was with the wild donkeys. He was given grass to eat like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until he recognized that the Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind and that He sets over it whomever He wishes.” (vs. 20b-21)
The application for us here is simple: do you recognize the Most High God is ruler over you? And do you honor Him and priase Him? Or are you arrogant towards Him? There are consequences to both responses.
Let’s see what the consequences were to King Belshazzar’s response:
Daniel tells the King: “…even though you knew all this (about your father), but you have exalted yourself against the Lord of Heaven; and they hve brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines have been drinking wine from them; and you have praise the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone which do not see, hear or understand. But the God in whose hand are your life-breath and all your ways, you have not glorified.” (vs. 22b-23)
Daniel interprets the writing on the wall to the King: he tells him his kingdom has come to an end. That night King Belshazzar was slain and King Darius the Mede became King.
The message to us: honor and praise the Most High God, the Lord of heaven or you’ll worship the creature and be given over to its consequences like Kings Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar. Read Romans 1:20-32 to see the downward spiral that comes from now honoring nor giving thanks to God: Romans 1:20-32.
The Apostle Paul is essentially exhorting the Corinthians to give generously to the Church in Macedonia. There are key texts here to remember:
Verse 6: Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Verse 7: Each one must do just as he purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compusion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Verse 10-11: Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.
The application to us is to give generously to other Christians in need with a joyful heart for the gifts that God has given us. This perspective brings forth praise unto God as we are motivated first by the riches of His grace poured upon us and second by the financial blessings that will bring a blessing to other Christians who have likewise received the grace of God.
Views from an Evangelist 