Chapter 5 opens with the son of Nebuchadnezzar ruling Babylon and upon his orders, the sacred elements stolen from Jerusalem were defiled.
3Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. 4They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
A message from God to this ruler is written on the wall by a supernatural hand and again, the sorcerers, soothsayers, magicians and Chaldeans were unable to decipher the meaning. Many on earth will be blind to the truth of God in the last days, just like this group. Daniel had been forgotten of by the new ruler until he is reminded by his wife of Daniel’s wisdom from God.
The king promises Daniel great power, the third highest ruling position in the kingdom, but Daniel rejects the king’s offer. Belshazzar’s actions displayed his evil nature. King Nebuchadnezzar had a heart malleable to God and so Daniel had accepted his gifts graciously, knowing they would be used as part of God’s plan. The king’s son, Belshazzar was different. His heart was against God and we see how Daniel operated differently with him. Daniel rejected Belshazzar’s gifts, just as Belshazzar rejected God. By doing this, Daniel maintains genuineness in his interpretations from God. His mind is not tainted or distracted by any promise of earthly benefits.
Daniel tells the meaning of the message.
25And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 26This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. 27TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. 28PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. – Daniel 5:25-28 KJV
God had made it clear to Nebuchadnezzar that He decided who would rule on earth and God was merciful to Nebuchadnezzar. The outcome for Belshazzar is different. He rejected God and allowed his pride and arrogance to drive him to desecrate God’s sacred elements. God’s tolerance for Belshazzar ran out, just as it will for the “man of perdition” in the last days. God is in control and the final kingdom of Babulon will be weighed in judgment by God and will be found wanting.
The death of Belshazzar reflects the end of the kingdom represented by the golden head of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, with the final blow of control on earth being given to the Medes and the Persians.
Daniel was again lifted up under king Darius in chapter 6.
3Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. – Daniel 6:3 KJV
It was God’s Holy Spirit operating through Daniel that Darius respected. Daniel was righteous and wise because he submitted to God. God working through him gave him a presence of strength and integrity that was appealing to the king. Leaders who were required to report to Daniel did not agree with the king’s decision. They rejected Daniel and God and sought Daniel’s demise.
5Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. – Daniel 6:5 KJV
Daniel was faithful. He was true to God. So, the other leaders connived to create a system pitted against Daniel’s worship of God. They played on the king’s ego, encouraging him to establish a statute against worship of any, other than the king. The penalty of which was to be thrown into the lions den.
10Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. 11Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. – Daniel 6:10-11 KJV
The trap was set to prevent worship of the one true God.
16Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. – Daniel 6:16 KJV
The king would not go against the statute he was tricked into establishing, but in his heart, he did not want to go against Daniel or God. Darius had hope Daniel would be saved by his God.
18Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him. – Daniel 6:18 KJV
The group sought to destroy Daniel, but the king had a soft spot in his heart for both Daniel and the God whom Daniel served. Darius grieved for Daniel, lamenting the decree requiring he be thrown into the lions den. He fasts and abstains from music hoping God would protect Daniel.
20And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? 21Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. 22My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. – Daniel 6:20-22 KJV
Our willingness to stand, as God directs opens the door for others to see the power of God, that they too may seek and learn of God and His ways, just as Darius did.
Daniel was innocent in God’s eyes. So, God protected him by sending His angel to close the mouths of the lions. Daniel was removed from the den completely unharmed. Righteous Daniel was protected from the lions. Unrighteous accusers were cast into the lions den with their wives and children, all of whom were devoured by the lions.
King Darius responds with a new decree to all.
26I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.
27He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. – Daniel 6:26-27 KJV
The one true living God is again glorified in a land of pagan gods, this time by king Darius. This story reflects another example of humans attempting to rise against God and His people. They may have power for a time, as the presidents and princes under Darius did, but that time is limited. In the end, God will rule. He will have the final say. And those who love and are in relation with Him will be with Him, just as is represented at the close of the book of Revelation. No worldly system established against God will survive. God will ultimately destroy it and all those who are aligned with it against God Almighty!
The chapter closes with a simple verse.
28So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian. – Daniel 6:28 KJV
Daniel prospered under kings who were respectful to God. They may not have been followers, devoted to God as Daniel, Hannaniah, Mishel and Azariah. But they saw the power of God and rewarded those who carried themselves righteously. Unlike Nebuchadnezzar and Darius, Belshazzar was evil. His heart was against God. Yet Daniel still survived under the evil leader and the time still came for him to do God’s work in the earthly kingdom. Daniel’s circumstances changed along the Lord’s path for him, but his devotion to God remained constant. We too will have ebbs and flows along our paths with the Lord. But we have the opportunity to remain devoted throughout any earthly circumstances.