DANIEL 5

2 Outlines

Daniel 5

THE PARTY'S OVER

(I got this title from a song by the same name, written by Joel Hemphill.)

We use the expression "The Party's Over" to say that whatever a person has enjoyed doing has been completed. Reality has set in, and a person must face whatever consequences are facing him.

Belshazzar, a wicked king, was literally having a party.

God was announcing that the party was over for Belshazzar.

The enemy armies were outside the city. The Kingdom of Babylon was about to fall to the Medes and Persians.

CORRUPTION OF THE KING Vss. 1-4

The king was committing blasphemy by drinking out of containers dedicated to God (Jerusalem temple), and praising his gods of wood and stone.

CONFUSION IN THE COURT Vss. 5-16

The mysterious fingers appear on the wall. Everyone is in a panic. Nobody could read the writing. The queen mother suggests that Daniel be called in.

CONSULTATION WITH THE PROPHET Vss. 17-24

Daniel reminds Belshazzar of Nebuchadnezzar's rebellion against God, his judgment, restoration and repentance (See Daniel 4). Although Belshazzar knew these things, he rebelled against the Lord of heaven.

CONDEMNATION BY GOD Vss.25-31

God finished Belshazzar's kingdom that night.

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Daniel 5

THE FALL OF A KING

GOD REJECTED - Vss. 1-4

There was a drinking party. King Belshazzar called for the sacred vessels taken out of the Temple in Jerusalem. While desecrating the sacred vessels the people also praised their false Gods. The true God was obviously being rejected.

THE PROPHET REMEMBERED - Vss. 5-12

This was a time of fear and confusion. The fingers of a man's hand appear and write on the wall.

This was also a time when others couldn't help. The Queen Mother remembered Daniel after all the wise men of Babylon could not tell the king the meaning of the writing on the wall. Isn't it interesting how often people turn to God only after all other possible sources of help have been depleted?

THE KING REBUKED - Vss. 13-31

Compliment - Vss. 13-16 - The king had heard of Daniel and his ability. He offered great reward if Daniel would interpret the writing on the wall.

Comparison - Vss. 17-23 - Daniel tells the story of Nebuchadnezzar who had been disciplined by God and repented, humbling himself before God. (See Daniel 4.) By contrast, Belshazzar rebelled against God and hadn't repented.

Condemnation - Vss. 24-31 - The handwriting on the wall was interpreted. Belshazzar is judged and found wanting. His kingdom was taken from him.

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