Resources For Daniel 5 From Each Harderwyk Preacher
Pastor Bill Lindner - Celebration Preacher
Freshman Humanities Class and the Book of Daniel - my Blog Post - CLICK HERE
I was taught as a college student that there was no mention of King Belshazzar apart from Daniel 5 and that the Bible was not trustworthy in its history. At that moment, a rebuttal was sitting in a Berlin museum waiting to be translated. A real-life archaeology story that is not as adventurous as Indiana Jones, bur far more consequential.
Daniel - The Bible Project - CLICK HERE to go to YouTube.
This a well-done animation that gives a 9-minute overview of the structure and message of Daniel. They point to "the pattern and the promise" intended to give hope to God's suffering people in many times and seasons.
From Daniel: Reformed Expository Commentary by Iain Duguid
This is why the humble are exalted: not because their humility is meritorious, but because they fix their eyes on their Lord, who was once humbled and is now glorified, instead of looking at themselves. They are united to him, so that his glorification means their glorification also. p.75
Unlike his illustrious predecessor, King Nebuchadnezzar, who destroyed cities and carried off plunder (Dan. 1:2), made mighty statues (Dan. 3), and built the wonders of royal Babylon (4:30), the only thing that Belshazzar could make was a feast. The former built an empire, while the latter planned a party. p.79
As Christians, we may say that we believe these truths, but in practice we often act as if they were not true. Why is it that we are completely undone by far less threatening scenarios than that which faced Belshazzar? Our hearts are wracked with worry if our job is merely threatened or if the car refuses to start; we are overwhelmed and despairing if our health breaks down or a treasured relationship ends; we respond angrily to people who insult us and damage our pride. These responses reveal our hearts every bit as clearly as Belshazzar’s feast revealed his pride and the idols in which his trust was placed. We are all functional Belshazzars. p.86
Gospel Transformation Bible - Daniel
Four times in chapter 5 the text reminds us that Nebuchadnezzar was the “father” of Belshazzar’s rule. While the term signifies “predecessor” more than an actual father, its repeated appearance implies something more profound. Daniel repeatedly directs his audience’s attention to the spiritual victory in Nebuchadnezzar’s life in contrast to Belshazzar’s subsequent surrender to wickedness. The message is that sin can re-infect a people, but the primary audience of this message is not Babylon; it is the people of God. God is pointedly warning Israel (and us) that sin results in judgment and that every generation must seek him anew. p.1132
The Gospel according to Daniel - by Bryan Chapell
Two equally evil kings demonstrate two equally vital messages: God’s complete pardon for the humble and God’s sure judgment for the proud. Here the gospel message that has been developing through the book of Daniel takes an important turn. Previously we have learned that God will remember sinful people (Dan. 1, his grace toward Daniel and his friends), he will rescue an unworthy people (Dan. 2, his ultimate establishment of a messianic kingdom), he remains “right here” with his people (Dan. 3, appearing with Daniel’s friends in the fiery furnace), and he can show mercy to the worst of people (Dan. 4, rescuing even Nebuchadnezzar). Now in chapter 5 there is this aspect of grace for us to deal with: God also reveals his judgment on the unrepentant. We must also consider this aspect of the gospel if we are to be faithful to all that Daniel would teach. p.92
Though secure in the world, those who are unrepentant before God will ultimately be identified, weighed and judged. p.94
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