http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%204-6&version=ESV
Daniel 5:24-28 "“Then from his presence the hand was sent, and this writing was inscribed. 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.”
In Daniel chapter 5 we read of the hand writing on the wall. According to the ESV Study Bible, the actual words Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin are translated to mean “Numbered, numbered, weighed, and divided.”
Belshazzar, who followed Nebuchadnezzar as King, and probably was a regent, had already disregarded the Lord. He was aware of what had happened to Nebuchadnezzar, yet he still acted disobedient toward the Lord.
In the midst of a great feast, the King saw a hand on the wall which wrote MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN. The text says his color changed and his thoughts alarmed him. I can imagine so, can you imagine what it would be like if you were in a room and you see a hand suddenly just writing on the wall? Just a hand, and no body. My color I'm sure would have changed as well.
Similar to the dreams of Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar calls in the wise men to make known the interpretation. No one could answer it, and the queen reminds Belshazzar of Daniel.
Belshazzar tells Daniel that if he interprets the dream that he will be made the third ruler off the kingdom.
I love how Daniel responds:
"Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation. "
(Daniel 5:17)
See, Daniel did not care about the gifts and rewards, he cared about doing the will of God and proclaiming His truth. There is nothing inherently evil about the gifts and rewards, and Daniel did receive them, but what is inherently evil is when we value these more than we value God.
Friends, value God and His Word as Daniel did. Our circumstances may not always be pleasant, but the joy we have in our position in Christ is!!!
Soli Deo Gloria.
Today's post was submitted by Russ Shellhamer.
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..till you understand that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever He chooses.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me think of our political situation in our country. No matter what happens in our country, we can have peace God is in control. Sure I might not like what I'm seeing or the effects of the lack of wisdom our leaders have upon me but God is working a plan. Sometimes God doesn't want us to be so comfortable so we will pray for His Kingdom to come. Now imagine that, this isn't our home. Maybe we aren't suppose to be so comfortable here.