SESSION 3
The Handwriting of God
Summary and Goal
God sustained His people in exile and demonstrated His opposition to those who rose up against Him
and ignored His warnings. The story of Belshazzar and the “writing on the wall” is a vivid illustration
of the truth that “the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will”
(Dan. 5:21). From this event, we learn that we should not place our faith in the security of earthly
kingdoms or leaders who exalt themselves above God. Knowing the consequences of rebellion, we
heed the warnings of God and we lovingly warn others of God’s judgment.
Main Passages
Daniel 5:1-9,13-31
Session Outline
1. G
od warns us not to trust in the security of earthly kingdoms (Dan. 5:1-9).
2. G
od warns us not to exalt ourselves against Him (Dan. 5:13-24).
3. God warns us of the consequences of unrepentant sin (Dan. 5:25-31).
Theological Theme
Divine judgment comes against everyone who rises up against God.
Christ Connection
The handwriting on the wall communicated the judgment of God against the king. The cross of
Jesus Christ communicated the judgment of God against sin but also demonstrated His love for
undeserving sinners who repent and trust in Him.
Missional Application
God calls us to take heed of His warnings, to humble ourselves before Him in repentance, and to
lovingly warn others of His judgment.
Date of My Bible Study: ______________________
© 2016 LifeWay Christian Resources. Permission granted to reproduce and distribute within the license agreement with purchaser.
31
Session Plan
The Handwriting
of God
Session 3
Introduction Option
As people arrive, ask
groups of 2-3 to create a list
of as many English idioms
as they can think of that
come from the Bible. After
a few moments, call for
some examples. Use the
link below for a substantive,
though not exhaustive, list
to add to the examples
from the group. Then ask
the following questions:
•D
oes it surprise you that
so many phrases have
their origin in the Bible?
Why or why not?
www.theguardian.com/
culture/2011/feb/18/
phrases-king-james-bible
Point 1 Option
Read the “Essential
Christian Doctrine” God Is
Omnipotent (leader p. 36;
PSG p. 30). Ask groups of
2-3 to discuss the following
questions (consider writing
them on a board or sheet
of paper for groups to have;
also available on the DVD
in The Gospel Project for
Adults: Leader Pack):
•W
hy must God be
omnipotent in order for us
to have real hope?
•W
hy is it necessary to say
that omnipotence means
God can do anything
“so long as it does not
contradict His own nature
or law”?
32
Leader Guide
Introduction
Describe the scene from the second Godfather film (leader p. 34). Use this to
explain the meaning and origin of the phrase “the writing on the wall”
(leader p. 34; personal study guide [PSG] p. 28).
When have you heard people talk about seeing or ignoring
“the handwriting on the wall”?
What are some signs people tend to ignore, signs that
precede a failure or disaster?
Summarize the session, mentioning how God sustained His people during
exile and opposed those who rose up against Him (leader p. 34; PSG p. 29).
1. G
od warns us not to trust in the security of
earthly kingdoms (Dan. 5:1-9).
Note that with this passage we move from King Nebuchadnezzar to King
Belshazzar (leader p. 35). Then read Daniel 5:1-9. Describe Belshazzar’s
mind-set and the nature of the feast he was holding. Connect the Babylonians’
foolishness with sin’s effect on us (leader pp. 35-36; PSG pp. 29-30).
In what ways does sin dull our senses and distract us
from reality?
Comment on what brought the king to his senses—the fingers of a man’s
hand appearing and writing an inscription on the wall. As in chapters 2
and 4, Daniel alone could provide a sound interpretation of the message to
the king (leader pp. 36-37; PSG pp. 30-31). Call attention to Pack Item 3:
Daniel’s Life for the context of the narratives in Daniel 2 and 4.
In what people or things does our society place its
confidence and find its security?
What would it take for such “security” to be challenged?
2. G
od warns us not to exalt ourselves against
Him (Dan. 5:13-24).
Read Daniel 5:13-24. Point out that Daniel’s response to the king was direct
but not disrespectful (leader pp. 37-38; PSG pp. 31-32).
In what ways does Daniel show humility in this passage,
even as he is bold and confrontational to the king?
What is the contrast between Daniel and Belshazzar?
Between Belshazzar and Nebuchadnezzar?
For Further
Discussion
How should our belief in
God’s sovereignty over
history inform how we
handle confronting others
with their sin?
How does God’s
omnipotence lead us to
remain humble when
communicating hard truths
to others?
Explain the recent history of Belshazzar’s grandfather, Nebuchadnezzar, that
Daniel referenced before giving the interpretation of the handwriting (or
consider enlisting a volunteer before the meeting to read Daniel 4 and summarize
the narrative for the group). This was Daniel’s way of letting the king know
that God would humble him in judgment (leader p. 39; PSG pp. 32-33).
What are some other examples we have seen in Scripture
where someone who exalts himself against God is
struck down? What do we learn from these examples?
3. God warns us of the consequences of
unrepentant sin (Dan. 5:25-31).
Ask a volunteer to read Daniel 5:25-31. Note that there are no signs of
repentance from Belshazzar—in contrast to Nebuchadnezzar’s “confessions”
(leader p. 40). Draw attention to the short-lived nature of Daniel’s ascent in
the Babylonian empire because God was bringing down Babylon and setting
up a new world monarch in Darius the Mede, just as the prophets had said.
And this is a preview of the coming day when God’s kingdom will prevail
over the evil and wicked world system (leader pp. 39-40; PSG pp. 33-34).
When have you sensed God warning you away from sin or
self-exaltation?
How can we take heed of God’s warnings and also lovingly
warn others of His judgment?
Conclusion
Credit the Spirit for His role in Daniel’s life of impeccable character. Also
highlight that Daniel’s story should seem familiar to us since Jesus too was
strongly associated with the Spirit (leader p. 41; PSG p. 35). Apply the truths of
this session with “His Mission, Your Mission” (PSG p. 36).
Christ Connection: The
handwriting on the wall
communicated the
judgment of God against
the king. The cross of Jesus
Christ communicated the
judgment of God against
sin but also demonstrated
His love for undeserving
sinners who repent and
trust in Him.
........................................................
Missional Application: God
calls us to take heed of
His warnings, to humble
ourselves before Him
in repentance, and to
lovingly warn others of
His judgment.
Session 3
33
Expanded Session Content
The Handwriting
of God
Session 3
Introduction
Voices from
Church History
“Pride is the fertile mother
of sins.” 1
–Johann Wigand (1523-1587)
The second installment of the famous Godfather trilogy features a scene
in which the main character, Michael Corleone, is in Cuba to seal a deal
with the Cuban government that would bring massive wealth to his family.
Michael has been concerned about rebel activity, but he is reassured that
the Cuban government has everything under control.
Suddenly, at a grand gala put on by the Cuban leaders, the military
leadership marches in to inform the most powerful man in Cuba that his
government has collapsed, the rebels will soon have control, and everyone
should flee to safety. Michael escapes, but the Cuban government falls into the
hands of Communist rebels. Pride, arrogance, and a sense of indestructability
led the government officials to ignore “the handwriting on the wall.”
The popular phrase “the writing on the wall” describes a premonition
or foreshadow of disaster that someone has chosen to ignore. The
expression comes from Daniel 5, and on this occasion, the “writing” came
from the finger of God. The message was clear and its promise certain.
Disaster would befall those who believed they were invincible in their
independence from God.
When have you heard people talk about seeing or ignoring
“the handwriting on the wall”?
What are some signs people tend to ignore, signs that
precede a failure or disaster?
Session Summary
As we continue our study of how God sustained His people in exile,
we come to a scene in which God demonstrated His opposition to those
who rise against Him and ignore His warnings. The story of Belshazzar
and the “writing on the wall” is a vivid illustration of the truth that “the
Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he
will” (Dan. 5:21). From this event, we learn that we should not place our
faith in the security of earthly kingdoms or leaders who exalt themselves
above God. Knowing the consequences of rebellion, we heed the warnings
of God and we lovingly warn others of God’s judgment.
34
Leader Guide
1. God warns us not to trust in the security of
earthly kingdoms (Dan. 5:1-9).
The Hebrew people had been defeated and exiled, but God was in
control, and they were learning to trust Him even when they could not
trace His hand. There is a chronological gap of roughly twenty years
between Daniel 4 and Daniel 5. Up to this point, we have been dealing
with King Nebuchadnezzar. In this chapter, however, we are introduced to
a successor—King Belshazzar.
King Belshazzar made a great feast for a thousand of his lords and
drank wine in front of the thousand.
2
Belshazzar, when he tasted the wine, commanded that the vessels
of gold and of silver that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the
temple in Jerusalem be brought, that the king and his lords, his wives,
and his concubines might drink from them. 3 Then they brought in the
golden vessels that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God in
Jerusalem, and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank
from them. 4 They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver,
bronze, iron, wood, and stone.
5
Immediately the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on
the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace, opposite the lampstand. And
the king saw the hand as it wrote. 6 Then the king’s color changed, and his
thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together.
7
The king called loudly to
bring in the enchanters, the
Chaldeans, and the astrologers.
The king declared to the wise
men of Babylon, “Whoever
reads this writing, and shows
me its interpretation, shall
be clothed with purple and
have a chain of gold around
his neck and shall be the third
ruler in the kingdom.” 8 Then
all the king’s wise men came
in, but they could not read the writing or make known to the king the
interpretation. 9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly alarmed, and his color
changed, and his lords were perplexed.
1
Consider the scene from the standpoint of the powerful. With pomp
and promiscuity, the all-powerful Babylonian king Belshazzar was
throwing a party for the ages. What he didn’t know was that he was the
last in the line of Babylonian kings. Darius the Mede was about to invade
Babylon and bring its empire to an end.
Further
Commentary
“Where does one turn
in such moments? Why,
to religion, of course.
Or at least that’s what
Belshazzar did. He turned
to his ‘faith.’ He hollered
for ‘the conjurers, the
Chaldeans, and the
astrologers’ (v. 7) to
come in and interpret the
mysterious text. So these
losers came traipsing in
again (cf. 2:2,10-11,27; 4:7).
Once more they fail (v. 8)
and Belshazzar’s alarm
only intensifies (v. 9).
This is sometimes God’s
pattern—to aggravate our
helplessness by exposing
the uselessness of our
favourite props, even our
favourite religious props.
You may have your own
paganism of choice—
occultism, pluralism,
machoism, feminism,
agnosticism, moralism—
and they will prove as
petrifyingly useless as
the Babylonian variety.
The human defiance is
quite clear, but you may
wonder where the divine
opportunity appears.
Precisely here, at the end of
verse 9! God has frightened
Belshazzar; religion has
failed him; he is reduced to
a shivering, sniffling mess
with no supports whatever.
He is therefore on the edge
of the abyss of hope, is
he not? He is the object
of God’s terror, but in one
sense it is a kind terror. God
does Belshazzar the favour
of leaving him without
any recourse, in utter
helplessness—and hence
with a huge opportunity.
Whenever God brings a
man to the end of himself,
smashing all his props and
wasting his idols, it is a
favourable moment indeed.
If he will but see it.” 2
–Dale Ralph Davis
Session 3
35
99 Essential
Christian Doctrines
12. God Is Omnipotent
God is all-powerful: there
is nothing God cannot
do so long as it does
not contradict His own
nature or law. God has
power and authority over
the universe He created,
from the largest solar
system to the smallest
particle. Affirming that
God is all-powerful does
not mean that God can
sin—since that would go
against His perfect moral
nature. As Christians, we
rest in the belief that the
God who has all power is
good, and we gain great
comfort by knowing that
an all-powerful God is
working for our good
and joy.
Voices from
the Church
“There is no human
wall so high, no human
accomplishment so great,
that it is secure against the
judgment of God.” 3
–Bryan Chapell
Belshazzar’s celebration was more than just a party. It was part feast
and part orgy, with the king drinking wine in front of the guests (v. 1),
thus setting an example of drunkenness, sensuality, and revelry. He would
be the life of the party until his own way of life would come to an
abrupt end.
Belshazzar’s foolishness didn’t stop with the revelry; he added
blasphemy and mockery to his list of sins. In his drunken stupor, he
“commanded that the vessels of gold and silver that Nebuchadnezzar his
father [actually his grandfather, but a typical Jewish way of identifying
one’s ancestor] had taken from out of the temple in Jerusalem be
brought” that his fellow party animals might drink from them (v. 2).
In other words, Belshazzar along with his lords, numerous wives, and
concubines drank their wine from the sacred vessels taken from the
Lord’s temple. Then they added idolatrous worship to their debased
behavior as they “praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood,
and stone” (v. 4).
Belshazzar’s action was intended to mock the God of the Jews and to
celebrate the gods of Babylon as being superior. He was making a spectacle
of God by treating His holy vessels as common utensils, in service to the
debauchery of the night.
Perhaps Belshazzar was attempting the win the favor and protection of
his false gods. By trusting in his own power as ruler or in these gods (who
were no gods at all), the king was making the biggest mistake of his life.
The wisdom of Proverbs 6:12-15 was about to be proven true: “A worthless
person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, winks with his
eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger, with perverted heart
devises evil, continually sowing discord; therefore calamity will come upon
him suddenly; in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.”
The Babylonians were having a gala to remember, completely out of
touch with reality and the impending invasion. Sin does the same thing to
us. It makes us dull. It makes us stupid.
In what ways does sin dull our senses and distract us
from reality?
Suddenly, the king was brought to his senses. What yanked him back
into reality? “The fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the
plaster of the wall of the king’s palace, opposite the lampstand. And the
king saw the hand as it wrote” (Dan. 5:5). The same fingers that wrote the
Ten Commandments for the Hebrew people (see Ex. 31:18; Deut. 9:10)
now confronted blasphemous Belshazzar with his sins and told of
imminent judgment.
36
Leader Guide
The king tried to gain his composure and get a grip on things, but
it was a bumbling, stumbling effort to say the least. He “called loudly to
bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers.” He promised
these “wise men of Babylon” honor (“clothed with purple”), wealth
(“a chain of gold”), and status (“third ruler in the kingdom”) if they could
read the writing on the wall and provide the interpretation (v. 7).
The foolishness of this move only added to the foolishness in
verses 1-4. This brain trust, these cardinals of counsel, these intellectual
elitists, these PhDs who commanded the respect of the common people
proved once more to be totally useless.
The “wise men of Babylon” could not interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s
dream in chapter 2, and Daniel bailed them out. The same thing
happened again in chapter 4. Now for the third time, “all the king’s wise
men” were brought in and once more they all struck out (5:8).
“Then King Belshazzar was greatly alarmed, and his color changed,
and his lords were perplexed” (v. 9). He realized he could not place his
confidence in his own power, his kingdom, or the wisdom of his people.
In what people or things does our society place its
confidence and find its security?
What would it take for such “security” to be challenged?
2. God warns us not to exalt ourselves against
Him (Dan. 5:13-24).
The story continues with Daniel, now up in years, being brought
before the king to interpret the strange message on the wall. As we see in
Daniel’s prelude to his translation of the message, King Belshazzar was
guilty of failing to learn from his predecessor—Nebuchadnezzar—that
pride goes before a fall. Exalt yourself against God and you will be
struck down.
Further
Commentary
“Writers of historical
narrative frequently
communicate the essential
message of a text through
dialogue. In this case,
Daniel’s words served as
a rebuke of Belshazzar
for his failure to learn
from the experience of
Nebuchadnezzar (as
described in Daniel 4).
Daniel reprimanded
Belshazzar because he
had not humbled his
heart, even though he
knew what had happened
to Nebuchadnezzar.
According to ancient
Babylonian texts,
Belshazzar had served in
the government of King
Neriglissar in 560 b.c. This
indicates that he had been
old enough to be aware
of the events at the end
of Nebuchadnezzar’s life.
Instead of learning to
submit to the Almighty, he
exalted himself against
God by using the temple
vessels to blaspheme
God. The specific sins
Daniel cited were pride,
blasphemy, idolatry, and
failure to glorify the true
God. For this reason, the
writing was inscribed on
the wall with a message of
judgment and doom.” 4
–Michael Rydelnick,
HCSB Study Bible
Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king answered
and said to Daniel, “You are that Daniel, one of the exiles of Judah,
whom the king my father brought from Judah. 14 I have heard of you that
the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and
excellent wisdom are found in you. 15 Now the wise men, the enchanters,
have been brought in before me to read this writing and make known to
me its interpretation, but they could not show the interpretation of the
matter. 16 But I have heard that you can give interpretations and solve
problems. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its
interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold
around your neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”
13
Session 3
37
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. 18 O king,
the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father kingship and
greatness and glory and majesty. 19 And because of the greatness that he
gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before
him. Whom he would, he killed, and whom he would, he kept alive;
whom he would, he raised up, and whom he would, he humbled. 20 But
when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt
proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was
taken from him. 21 He was driven from among the children of mankind,
and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the
wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the
dew of heaven, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom
of mankind and sets over it whom he will. 22 And you his son, Belshazzar,
have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, 23 but you have
lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house
have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and
your concubines have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the
gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see
or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are
all your ways, you have not honored.
24
“Then from his presence the hand was sent, and this writing
was inscribed.
17
Voices from
Church History
“As Nero is said to have
fiddled while Rome burned,
so Belshazzar feasted
while Babylon fell.” 5
–John Phillips (1927-2010)
Voices from
Church History
“When Daniel rebuked
King Belshazzar for his
pride and arrogance, he
said, ‘But you did not honor
the God who holds in his
hand your life and all your
ways’ (Dan. 5:23). What
was true for Belshazzar is
just as true of us today…
Life is uncertain and
unpredictable. ‘You do not
know what a day may bring
forth’ (Prov. 27:1).” 6
–Jerry Bridges (1929-2016)
Daniel, the man of God, was brought before the king. He was referred
to as “one of the exiles from Judah” (v. 13), and interestingly, the king
called him by his Jewish name. Belshazzar recounted the failure of his
impotent soothsayers and reaffirmed his promise of purple, gold, and
promotion to third ruler in the kingdom if Daniel could interpret the
handwriting on the wall (vv. 15-16).
Daniel’s response was not disrespectful but direct. To paraphrase:
“Keep your stuff or give it to someone else. I don’t need it and I don’t want
it.” Daniel went on: “I will read the writing to the king and make known
to him the interpretation” (v. 17). Daniel knew that his wisdom in
interpretation came from God. He would not exercise the gift in order to
earn rewards from the king. He utilized the gift in order to communicate
God’s message to the king.
In what ways does Daniel show humility in this passage,
even as he is bold and confrontational to the king?
What is the contrast between Daniel and Belshazzar?
Between Belshazzar and Nebuchadnezzar?
38
Leader Guide
Before Daniel interpreted the handwriting, he did a little preaching
and schooled Belshazzar in recent history and biblical theology. Note
that God is referenced four times in verses 18-28. He was variously
called “the Most High God” (vv. 18,21), “the Lord of heaven” (v. 23),
and “the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your
ways” (v. 23).
The Most High God gave Belshazzar’s grandfather, Nebuchadnezzar,
his kingdom with the glory and privileges that go with such a position
(vv. 18-19). But he became arrogant and prideful; so God took him down
and caused him to live like a beast with animals like oxen and donkeys.
God did this so that he would know “the Most High God rules the
kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will” (vv. 20-21).
Then Daniel pointed the finger at the current king. In essence, he said:
“You, Belshazzar, are just like he was, and you should know better! You are
even more responsible than your predecessor! You have blasphemed and
mocked the Lord with your revelry and idolatry, and you knew better!
Indeed, you have not honored the God in whose hand is your breath and
whose are all your ways. Therefore, you have seen the hand God sent to
spell out your consequences.”
In Daniel’s speech to the king, we see the results of exalting oneself
above God. No matter the grandiose thoughts Belshazzar had about himself,
God saw the reality, and He would make it plain for Belshazzar to see.
What are some other examples we have seen in Scripture
where someone who exalted himself against God was
struck down? What do we learn from these examples?
3. God warns us of the consequences of
unrepentant sin (Dan. 5:25-31).
The story continues as Daniel translated the writing that was inscribed
on the wall. It was bad news for Belshazzar.
And this is the writing that was inscribed: Mene, Mene, Tekel,
and Parsin. 26 This is the interpretation of the matter: Mene, God has
numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; 27 Tekel,
you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; 28 Peres, your
kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”
29
Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed
with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a
proclamation was made about him, that he should be the third ruler in
the kingdom.
25
Further
Commentary
A basic and important
theological principle is
in play here: “Revelation
brings responsibility. The
more you know, the greater
is your accountability
before God.” Verses 24-28
need further attention for
us to understand what
had been written on the
wall. The writing on the
wall was inscribed in
Aramaic as MENE, MENE,
TEKEL, and PARSIN (v. 26).
There would have been
no vowel markings, and
the letters would have run
consecutively. Daniel’s
first step was to separate
rightly the letters into
the appropriate word
division, which he did.
There were four words to
the inscription that read
“numbered, numbered,
weighed, divided.”
Daniel then provided the
devastating interpretation
in verses 26-28. In sum,
“God is closing the
books on your kingdom
Belshazzar. You are a
lightweight! My measuring
standard proves it. You
challenged the Most High
God and you lose. You
crossed the line and the
gig is up. God saw your sin
just like he sees everyone’s
sin. You may enjoy sin for
a season, but ‘payday
someday’ is coming to all
who refuse to bow and
humbly submit to the Most
High God.” Likewise, we
should remember a day
is coming when “every
knee should bow…and
every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the
glory of God the Father”
(Phil. 2:10-11).
Session 3
39
That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was killed. 31 And
Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.
30
Further
Commentary
“That very night
Belshazzar the Chaldean
king was killed” (5:30),
not exactly the way he
expected his party to end.
According to the Greek
historians Herodotus
(fifth century b.c.)
and Xenophon (circa
434-355 b.c.), the MedoPersian army did not
attempt to storm the
impregnable Babylonian
walls, of which the outer
ring were at least 40 feet
high and 25 feet in width.
[It is interesting to note that
Herodotus claimed the
walls where 56 miles long,
about 85 feet thick, and
350 feet high! While this
was likely an exaggeration
(walls over 30 stories
high), no one denies their
magnificence.] So how did
the Medo-Persians get into
the city? “[They] diverted
water from the Euphrates
River (which ran under the
walls of Babylon) into a
marsh. With the level of the
water lowered, the soldiers
were able to wade the river
under the walls and enter
the city. Xenophon added
that the city was invaded
while the Babylonians
were feasting in a time
of drunken revelry…As a
matter of fact, Xenophon
cited the festival as the
reason the Persians chose
to attack Babylon on that
particular night.” The dates
were October 11-12, 539 b.c. 8
It is interesting to note that “chapters 2, 3, and 4 all end with some
‘confession’ by Nebuchadnezzar (2:46-47; 3:28-29; 4:34-37), but there is
none of that at the end of chapter 5.” 7 Turn out the lights; the party’s over!
Tell the band they can all go home. The Most High God was taking
Belshazzar out and setting up a new world monarch named Cyrus, here
identified as Darius the Mede (vv. 30-31).
Belshazzar showed no signs of repentance for his arrogance,
blasphemies, idolatry, pride, and sensualities. He did, however (probably
reluctantly), keep his word to Daniel. Like wicked King Herod, who
murdered John the Baptist, he no doubt was “exceedingly sorry…because
of his oaths” (Mark 6:26). But to save face, he “gave the command,” and
Daniel was clothed in purple, got his gold chain, and was raised up to “be
the third ruler in the kingdom” (Dan. 5:29).
Once again God has honored his faithful servant in this hostile and
pagan world. God brought Daniel out of “retirement” and made him the
third ruler in the kingdom. After Nabonidus and his son Belshazzar, no
one was more powerful than this Judean exile. But Daniel’s ascent in the
Babylonian empire was very short-lived. It was like getting a promotion
the day before the company goes bankrupt. It was like getting a medal
even though you lost the war. It lasted only a few hours.
Belshazzar died that night, “and Darius the Mede received the
kingdom, being about sixty-two years old” (v. 31). The Babylonian king
had challenged and mocked the Most High God. He had been confronted
with his sin and showed no repentance. God’s judgment, in this case,
came as fast as a lightning bolt from heaven.
To those who knew their Scriptures, this was no surprise. God’s
prophets had already laid out Babylon’s destiny. They knew this kingdom
was a passing fad, here today and gone tomorrow, according to a divine
timetable, not a human one (see Isa. 21:1-10; Jer. 50–51).
In Revelation 18, we read of the ultimate destruction of Babylon, that
evil and wicked world system that stands against the kingdom of God
economically, morally, politically, and spiritually. In Daniel 5, we have
received a preview of that coming, eschatological day. Here we find words
of wisdom and words of warning.
When have you sensed God warning you away from sin or
self-exaltation?
How can we take heed of God’s warnings and also lovingly
warn others of His judgment?
40
Leader Guide
Conclusion
In the story of God’s handwriting on the wall, a Hebrew exile came
out of nowhere to confront the powers of this world with their sins of
blasphemy, mockery, arrogance, pride, and idolatry. He was a man of
impeccable character who could not be bought or seduced by the idols of
this world. Why? Because in this man of incredible wisdom was the Spirit
of the holy God (see Dan. 5:11). In fact, even the pagans acknowledged his
good testimony (see 3 John 11-12), that he had “an excellent spirit,
knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and
solve problems” (Dan. 5:12; cf. 6:3).
This sounds familiar with respect to another exile from Judah who
comes on the scene in the first century—a man by the name of Jesus,
who said of Himself, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he
has anointed me” (Luke 4:18). Later, we are not surprised to hear even
His enemies admit, “No one ever spoke like this man” (John 7:46).
Daniel points forward to the coming Messiah. This servant of the Lord
foreshadows the Servant of the Lord upon whom rests “the Spirit of the
Lord…the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and
might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord” (Isa. 11:2).
Daniel’s wisdom and abilities and position are similar in many ways to
the patriarch Joseph (Gen. 37–50). In this, his life looks back. However, as
a mediator of God’s wisdom to sinful humanity, his life looks forward to
the ultimate mediator between God and humanity, the Lord Jesus Christ
(1 Tim. 2:5), the One Paul called the “wisdom of God” in (1 Cor. 1:30),
the One of whom Paul said “in whom are hidden all treasures of wisdom
and knowledge” (Col. 2:3).
Voices from
the Church
“Belshazzar is perhaps the
supreme Old Testament
parallel to the rich fool
in Jesus’ parable. Having
already given expression
to their lust for more (in
the case of the rich fool his
lust for more money), they
would never be satisfied
without more. Blinded by
the pursuit of that lust,
they were oblivious to the
possibility that ‘This night
your soul will be required of
you; then whose will those
things be which you have
provided?’ (Luke 12:20).” 9
–Sinclair Ferguson
CHRIST CONNECTION: The handwriting on the wall
communicated the judgment of God against the king. The cross
of Jesus Christ communicated the judgment of God against sin
but also demonstrated His love for undeserving sinners who
repent and trust in Him.
Session 3
41
Additional Resources
The Handwriting of God
References
1. Johann Wigand, Commentaries
on Daniel, 12, quoted in Ezekiel,
Daniel, ed. Carl L. Beckwith, vol. XII
in Reformation Commentary on
Scripture: Old Testament (Downers
Grove: IVP, 2012), 305.
2. Dale Ralph Davis, The Message
of Daniel, in The Bible Speaks Today
(Downers Grove: IVP, 2013), 74-75.
3. Bryan Chapell, The Gospel
According to Daniel (Grand Rapids:
Baker, 2014), 97.
4. Michael Rydelnick, in HCSB Study
Bible (Nashville: B&H, 2010), 1443,
n. 5:18-24.
5. John Phillips, Exploring the
Book of Daniel, in The John Phillips
Commentary Series (Grand Rapids:
Kregel, 2009) [WORDsearch].
6. Jerry Bridges, The Joy of
Fearing God (Colorado Springs:
WaterBrook Press, 1998), 192.
7. Dale Ralph Davis, The Message of
Daniel, in The Bible Speaks Today, 71.
8. See Daniel, by Stephen R.
Miller, vol. 18 in The New American
Commentary (Nashville: B&H,
2003), 140, n. 43; 167.
9. Sinclair B. Ferguson, Daniel,
vol. 21 in The Preacher’s
Commentary (Nashville: Thomas
Nelson, 1988) [eBook].
Get expert insights on weekly studies through Ministry
Grid at MinistryGrid.com/web/TheGospelProject.
Grow with other group leaders at the Group Ministry
blog at LifeWay.com/GroupMinistry.
Study Material
-- “Loving Enough to Warn”—Chapter 5 from The Gospel According
to Daniel by Bryan Chapell
-- “2 Kings 1; 2 Thessalonians 1; Daniel 5; Psalms 110–111”—Blog post by
D. A. Carson; find a link to this article at GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources
-- Previous Biblical Illustrator articles, including “The Rise and Fall of the
Neo-Babylonian Empire,” can be purchased, along with other articles
for this quarter, at LifeWay.com/BiblicalIllustrator. Look for Bundles:
The Gospel Project.
Sermon Podcast
Daniel Akin: “The Handwriting Is on the Wall”
Find a link to this at GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources
Tip of the Week
Trading a Party for a Project
Too many times when we think of a group project, we think of going to
the soup kitchen and forget about the needs that might be right under our
noses. There may be someone in your group needing some type of help
this month. Encourage care group leaders to ask the people in their group
about any needs they may have this Christmas or if there is a need in their
neighborhood. As needs are discovered, mobilize the group as a whole to
meet the need. You may even want to suggest that, in lieu of a Christmas
party, your group be involved in meeting a need in your community.
42
Leader Guide
About the Writers
Unit 1:
Daniel Akin (sessions 1-4) is the President of Southeastern
The Gospel Project®
Adult Leader Guide ESV
Volume 5, Number 2 Winter 2016-17
Eric Geiger
Vice President, LifeWay Resources
Baptist Theological Seminary and also a professor of preaching
and theology. He received a PhD from the University of
Texas at Arlington. He and his wife, Charlotte, have four
grown children.
Ed Stetzer
General Editor
Trevin Wax
Managing Editor
Daniel Davis
Content Editor
Josh Hayes
Walter R. Strickland II (sessions 5-6) serves as Special
Advisor to the President for Diversity and Instructor of Theology
at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is pursuing
a PhD from the University of Aberdeen. He and his wife,
Stephanie, have three daughters, Hope, Kendra, and Kaiya.
Content and Production Editor
Ken Braddy
Manager, Adult Ongoing Bible Studies
Michael Kelley
Director, Groups Ministry
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Unit 2:
Jimmy Scroggins (session 7) is the Lead Pastor of Family
Church in West Palm Beach, Florida. He earned his MDiv and
PhD from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and
his wife, Kristin, have eight children, James, Daniel, Jeremiah,
Isaac, Stephen, Anna Kate, Mary Claire, and Caleb.
Matt Capps (sessions 8-10) is Senior Pastor of Fairview
Baptist Church in Apex, North Carolina. He is working
toward a DMin in pastoral ministry at Gordon-Conwell
Theological Seminary. Matt and his wife, Laura, have three
children, Solomon, Ruby, and Abby.
D. A. Horton (session 11) currently serves as a pastor at
Reach Fellowship, a church plant in Los Angeles, California.
He is also working toward his PhD in Applied Theology at
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife,
Elicia, have three children, Izabelle, Lola, and D. A. Jr.
Robby Gallaty (session 12) serves as the Senior Pastor
of Long Hollow Baptist Church and President of Replicate
Ministries. Robby holds a PhD, has written several books, and
provides discipleship resources through Replicate Ministries.
He and his wife, Kandi, have two young sons, Rig and Ryder.
Special Session—Christmas:
Rey De Armas serves as one of the campus pastors at Christ
Fellowship in Miami, leading the Coral Gables campus. He
received an MDiv from The Southern Baptist Theological
Seminary. He is married to Lauren, and they have two
daughters, Zoe and Lexi.
WRITERS