WEBVTT 00:00:00.180 --> 00:00:06.200 Please do have a seat. Just before we get into Daniel chapter 5 and the writing of the wall, 00:00:06.500 --> 00:00:12.960 I just want to make us Presbyterian for one second. And I want us to be larger catechism people. 00:00:13.439 --> 00:00:18.300 And particularly in the larger catechism question 160, which is this. 00:00:19.300 --> 00:00:23.100 What is required of those that hear the word preached? 00:00:23.900 --> 00:00:28.740 Now, I don't expect you to know answer 160 of the larger Westminster catechism. 00:00:28.739 --> 00:00:33.299 But we'll read it together. So I'll ask the question and then we'll read the response. 00:00:34.179 --> 00:00:37.339 What is required of those that hear the word preached? 00:00:37.960 --> 00:00:46.599 It is required of those that hear the word preached that they attend upon it with diligence, preparation and prayer. 00:00:47.299 --> 00:00:49.500 Examine what they hear by the scriptures. 00:00:50.280 --> 00:00:52.060 Receive the truth with faith. 00:00:52.579 --> 00:00:56.980 Love meekness and readiness of mind as the word of God. 00:00:56.979 --> 00:00:59.919 Meditate and confer of it. 00:01:00.359 --> 00:01:05.599 Hide it in their hearts and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives. 00:01:06.159 --> 00:01:08.280 You would make wonderful Presbyterians. 00:01:09.620 --> 00:01:10.739 Let's pray together. 00:01:10.739 --> 00:01:18.439 Father God, make us faithful hearers, diligent, prepared and prayerful. 00:01:19.359 --> 00:01:26.399 Examining the scriptures to glean your truth and receiving it with faith, love and meekness as the word of God. 00:01:27.119 --> 00:01:34.519 May we meditate upon it, talk of it afterwards and hide it in our hearts that you might bring forth fruit in our lives. 00:01:34.519 --> 00:01:46.659 Father, help me as I speak that your words would be my words and your scriptures would be handled properly so that their central theme, your son, Jesus Christ, might be seen clearly. 00:01:47.199 --> 00:01:51.659 We ask this in Jesus name, according to his grace and for his glory. 00:01:51.659 --> 00:01:52.140 Amen. 00:01:53.340 --> 00:01:58.719 Daniel chapter 5 was held in contempt by historians until 1854. 00:01:59.379 --> 00:02:09.519 The reference to King Belshazzar in chapter 5 verse 1 generated great scorn because the Babylonians were great chroniclers. 00:02:10.079 --> 00:02:16.180 They wrote about everything and we know exactly who reigned and when they reigned. 00:02:16.180 --> 00:02:19.280 So a little bit of history in the Babylonian monarchy. 00:02:19.659 --> 00:02:22.900 It kind of coincides with the managers of Manchester United. 00:02:24.280 --> 00:02:27.620 So firstly, we have King Nebuchadnezzar. 00:02:28.900 --> 00:02:32.240 605 BC to 562 BC, the longest reign. 00:02:33.120 --> 00:02:38.680 After him comes King Amal Marduk, 562 to 560. 00:02:39.240 --> 00:02:45.439 Following that, King Nergel Shash Susa, 560 to 556. 00:02:45.439 --> 00:02:50.120 After that, King Labashi Marduk, 556. 00:02:50.659 --> 00:02:53.479 He only actually reigned for six months because then there was a coup. 00:02:54.240 --> 00:03:00.219 And King Nabonidus becomes king of the Babylonians. 00:03:00.300 --> 00:03:02.919 I was so pleased that went through because I made this PowerPoint on Wednesday. 00:03:05.159 --> 00:03:08.479 That is the end of the Babylonian Empire. 00:03:08.479 --> 00:03:14.759 And you will see that there is a distinct lack in that list of a king called Belshazzar. 00:03:15.439 --> 00:03:22.479 So therefore, the fact that Daniel writes, King Belshazzar gave a great banquet, generated great scorn. 00:03:23.099 --> 00:03:25.759 Because it was obviously not historically accurate. 00:03:25.759 --> 00:03:32.979 However, in 1854, John George Taylor, an archaeologist from the British Museum, 00:03:33.379 --> 00:03:36.899 was excavating that big skyscraper, the ziggurat that was in Babylon. 00:03:37.939 --> 00:03:42.019 And found during his excavation four identical cylinders, 00:03:42.539 --> 00:03:47.759 inscribed with Babylonian cuneiform, detailing the reign of King Nabodinus. 00:03:47.759 --> 00:03:57.000 In it, he speaks of his firstborn son, Belshazzar, whom he made vice-regent of Babylon, 00:03:57.259 --> 00:03:59.519 co-king of Babylon. 00:03:59.520 --> 00:04:05.660 Because in 549 BC, he had to go and fight a military campaign in Arabia. 00:04:06.060 --> 00:04:10.700 A tour that lasted him 10 years that ended in 539 BC. 00:04:11.200 --> 00:04:15.380 In fact, it ended the very night that we read about in Daniel chapter 5. 00:04:16.480 --> 00:04:21.800 Suddenly, the scorn dissipated, and Daniel chapter 5 was taken seriously. 00:04:22.800 --> 00:04:25.300 And so what do we have in Daniel chapter 5? 00:04:25.300 --> 00:04:29.000 Firstly, two points. 00:04:29.139 --> 00:04:30.960 The God who is God shows up. 00:04:31.439 --> 00:04:34.560 And then secondly, the God who is God sums up. 00:04:35.340 --> 00:04:38.220 Firstly, the God who is God shows up. 00:04:39.060 --> 00:04:44.920 The scene in Daniel chapter 5 takes place on the last day of the Babylonian Empire. 00:04:45.720 --> 00:04:52.780 2,555 years ago, 23 years after King Nebuchadnezzar has died. 00:04:52.779 --> 00:04:57.779 King Nebuchadnezzar, who is the big king, who's in Daniel chapter 1, 2, 3, and 4. 00:04:58.039 --> 00:05:02.259 So between the end of Daniel chapter 4 and Daniel chapter 5, verse 1, 00:05:02.519 --> 00:05:08.159 we have at least 20, 23, 25 years have passed. 00:05:09.239 --> 00:05:14.299 Daniel has been in Babylon for at least six decades. 00:05:15.439 --> 00:05:19.459 He is now an old and seemingly retired civil servant. 00:05:19.459 --> 00:05:28.099 And there is a royal banquet of hedonistic excess going on in the king's banqueting hall. 00:05:28.560 --> 00:05:30.599 Look at the first four verses. 00:05:31.439 --> 00:05:37.879 See, in the first four verses, five times the drinking of wine is mentioned. 00:05:38.759 --> 00:05:42.879 He's emphasizing that this is an alcohol-fueled party. 00:05:43.000 --> 00:05:46.019 This would put the freshers of Edinburgh University to shame. 00:05:46.019 --> 00:05:49.060 There is just wine everywhere. 00:05:49.899 --> 00:05:56.439 And it's a big party, a thousand nobles, lots of women, some wives, some concubines. 00:05:58.500 --> 00:06:02.019 This is about the grandeur of Belshazzar. 00:06:02.699 --> 00:06:07.180 And then in verse 2, in an act of hubris, self-promotion, and showing off, 00:06:07.180 --> 00:06:11.939 Belshazzar enacts a plan to cement his name in history. 00:06:12.720 --> 00:06:15.699 Fed up of being in the shadow of the great Nebuchadnezzar. 00:06:16.220 --> 00:06:19.420 Fed up of being known as the son of the true king. 00:06:19.800 --> 00:06:21.199 He thinks, I'll go further. 00:06:21.639 --> 00:06:27.199 I'll do something so outrageous that people will remember me for years to come. 00:06:27.720 --> 00:06:30.740 He's going to go way beyond the nerve of his ancestors. 00:06:30.740 --> 00:06:38.680 And so he says, please could you bring the golden vessels which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem. 00:06:38.819 --> 00:06:39.900 Please could you bring those. 00:06:40.220 --> 00:06:42.460 And we're going to use them as tankards for our wine. 00:06:44.139 --> 00:06:48.300 And so you can imagine that the servants run off. 00:06:48.360 --> 00:06:50.680 They go to the storehouse of Marduk. 00:06:50.860 --> 00:06:52.100 They have to find the key. 00:06:52.199 --> 00:06:54.480 They then have to find the key to the display cases there. 00:06:54.740 --> 00:06:56.680 They've gathered about 60 years of dust. 00:06:56.740 --> 00:06:57.800 So they need a quick buffing. 00:06:57.800 --> 00:07:04.199 All the time the wine is going and in the end they're bought before Belshazzar. 00:07:05.900 --> 00:07:13.439 And you can imagine the raucous party quietens down as Belshazzar stands over these cups. 00:07:13.600 --> 00:07:18.519 And suddenly everyone's shouting, Shaz, Shaz, Shaz. 00:07:20.100 --> 00:07:21.819 And he fills the cup. 00:07:22.560 --> 00:07:23.780 He's not going to, is he? 00:07:23.780 --> 00:07:24.720 He's not going to dare. 00:07:25.080 --> 00:07:26.080 Is he going to do it? 00:07:26.079 --> 00:07:27.979 Is he going to perform sacrilege? 00:07:29.240 --> 00:07:30.839 And he lifts the cup. 00:07:31.620 --> 00:07:36.680 And he toasts the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone. 00:07:37.139 --> 00:07:42.979 He toasts the great Babylon plethora of gods, the pantheon. 00:07:42.980 --> 00:07:50.080 And everyone screams and shouts and goes, Belshazzar, you've done it. 00:07:50.100 --> 00:07:52.620 You're the most brave king. 00:07:52.879 --> 00:08:00.860 You've elevated yourself to the realm of the God of Jerusalem, whom your ancestor Nebuchadnezzar defeated. 00:08:00.860 --> 00:08:05.780 This is rebellious idolatry. 00:08:08.020 --> 00:08:11.860 This is not respecting the one true God as gods. 00:08:12.400 --> 00:08:17.819 Using the things that were devoted to his worship for mundane things in an act of sacrilege. 00:08:17.819 --> 00:08:20.540 It is not respecting God as gods. 00:08:21.540 --> 00:08:25.899 But it's also idolatry because they're worshipping things to replace him. 00:08:26.480 --> 00:08:30.219 This is rebellious idolatry. 00:08:30.740 --> 00:08:36.720 Not worshipping God as God, not respecting him as God and replacing him with something else. 00:08:36.720 --> 00:08:39.580 This is an Old Testament Romans 1. 00:08:40.600 --> 00:08:45.519 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him. 00:08:45.720 --> 00:08:49.639 But their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 00:08:51.019 --> 00:08:57.160 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God. 00:08:58.100 --> 00:09:04.120 For images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. 00:09:04.580 --> 00:09:06.620 It's that kind of foolishness. 00:09:07.379 --> 00:09:10.279 That Belshazzar is enacting. 00:09:11.220 --> 00:09:14.340 While we may not do it as overtly as Belshazzar. 00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:16.860 Because let's face it, none of us have got a thousand friends. 00:09:17.820 --> 00:09:19.460 We do that all the time. 00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:22.240 Fail to respect God as gods. 00:09:22.800 --> 00:09:26.279 And replace him with countless other things. 00:09:28.660 --> 00:09:31.980 Belshazzar just does it in a more overt way. 00:09:31.980 --> 00:09:37.680 We may not be vice regents of an enormous kingdom with multiple wives. 00:09:37.920 --> 00:09:39.600 A plethora of concubines. 00:09:40.960 --> 00:09:43.779 And a gang of nobles hanging on our every word. 00:09:43.879 --> 00:09:45.659 But our sinful hearts are just the same. 00:09:45.659 --> 00:09:50.120 And if we had the same amount of money, we would do the same kind of things. 00:09:50.719 --> 00:09:54.259 Because in our natural sinful self, we don't respect God as God. 00:09:54.679 --> 00:09:59.759 And we readily replace him with other things that we choose to worship instead. 00:09:59.759 --> 00:10:08.720 This is a Psalm 2 situation where the nations of the earth band together to usurp the rule of God. 00:10:08.799 --> 00:10:10.620 To break his chains of dominion. 00:10:10.700 --> 00:10:12.559 To throw off the shackles of his rule. 00:10:12.559 --> 00:10:16.479 And God's response to these efforts, he laughs. 00:10:17.119 --> 00:10:18.479 And he scoffs. 00:10:19.559 --> 00:10:24.199 Like a parent laughing at the stubborn toddler who lashes out. 00:10:25.139 --> 00:10:27.099 God laughs. 00:10:28.039 --> 00:10:34.939 And now this laughing God, verse 5, is going to come down and spell out to Belshazzar exactly what he's done wrong. 00:10:35.000 --> 00:10:37.799 That this God will not be mocked. 00:10:39.139 --> 00:10:41.299 Verse 6, look at it with me. 00:10:42.559 --> 00:10:45.219 This man who was playing the big man. 00:10:45.919 --> 00:10:47.299 His face turned pale. 00:10:47.899 --> 00:10:50.819 And he was so frightened that his legs became weak. 00:10:51.199 --> 00:10:53.239 And his knees were knocking. 00:10:53.919 --> 00:10:56.239 The NIV is a very polite translation. 00:10:56.799 --> 00:10:58.599 It uses the phrase, his knees were knocking. 00:10:58.719 --> 00:11:02.519 The Hebrew idiom is that the knots of his loins were loosened. 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:05.799 It literally means that he soiled himself. 00:11:06.759 --> 00:11:11.059 And therefore we have the man who is playing the big man in verses 1 to 4. 00:11:11.059 --> 00:11:14.119 And in verse 6 he's the embarrassed little boy. 00:11:14.559 --> 00:11:19.399 Who is so terrified by what he sees before him. 00:11:20.619 --> 00:11:27.279 The king in his terror invites the faculty of futurology. 00:11:27.279 --> 00:11:34.339 The think tank and they come in again and they're completely clueless as to what these four words mean. 00:11:34.340 --> 00:11:39.019 They come up completely empty. 00:11:39.200 --> 00:11:41.519 Now it's not clear why they don't understand what's written. 00:11:43.560 --> 00:11:50.000 It might be like in Rembrandt's painting of this that the hand is written vertically instead of horizontally. 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:51.320 That might be the confusion. 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:55.460 It might also be because Aramaic like Hebrew doesn't have vowels. 00:11:55.460 --> 00:11:58.960 So nobody's quite sure what this collection of consonants means. 00:11:59.180 --> 00:12:03.480 Because there's a real lack of context to spell it out. 00:12:04.379 --> 00:12:05.740 But verse 10. 00:12:06.360 --> 00:12:07.540 The queen mother. 00:12:07.660 --> 00:12:09.080 I'm pretty sure it's the queen mother. 00:12:09.660 --> 00:12:10.960 The word can mean both. 00:12:11.400 --> 00:12:14.440 But Belshazzar's wives are already at the banquet. 00:12:16.220 --> 00:12:17.220 And the queen mother. 00:12:17.820 --> 00:12:19.100 Who if it is the queen mother. 00:12:19.580 --> 00:12:22.420 Is Nabonidus' wife. 00:12:22.500 --> 00:12:24.320 Who is actually Nebuchadnezzar's daughter. 00:12:24.320 --> 00:12:26.240 So she was probably in the royal court. 00:12:26.440 --> 00:12:28.860 When Daniel interpreted these dreams before. 00:12:29.580 --> 00:12:31.040 And she comes and says. 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:32.140 There is a man. 00:12:32.260 --> 00:12:32.600 Daniel. 00:12:32.720 --> 00:12:34.700 He used to be head of the civil service. 00:12:35.980 --> 00:12:37.400 My father. 00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:40.379 Nebuchadnezzar had lots of quandaries like this. 00:12:40.460 --> 00:12:42.520 And Daniel was able to sort them out. 00:12:43.920 --> 00:12:46.379 She recounts how Daniel has a keen mind. 00:12:46.379 --> 00:12:46.860 Knowledge. 00:12:47.020 --> 00:12:49.340 Understanding the ability to interpret dreams. 00:12:49.760 --> 00:12:50.540 Explain riddles. 00:12:50.660 --> 00:12:51.920 And solve difficult problems. 00:12:51.919 --> 00:12:54.199 It seems with that CV. 00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:55.939 Daniel might just be the guy. 00:12:56.579 --> 00:12:57.620 To help. 00:12:57.959 --> 00:12:59.899 This king who is being humbled. 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:03.000 Daniel is summoned. 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:06.120 It seems that he's fallen out of favor in the civil service. 00:13:07.620 --> 00:13:09.079 He has to come in. 00:13:09.659 --> 00:13:11.500 He is now an elderly man. 00:13:11.599 --> 00:13:13.899 Standing before a petulant young king. 00:13:13.899 --> 00:13:17.059 And I wonder what Daniel will do. 00:13:17.779 --> 00:13:19.159 I think it's a good place. 00:13:19.299 --> 00:13:20.079 To pause here. 00:13:20.139 --> 00:13:20.980 And just consider. 00:13:21.500 --> 00:13:23.360 Where we are at in the Daniel story. 00:13:24.340 --> 00:13:26.299 The first thing I think we see in Daniel. 00:13:26.419 --> 00:13:28.379 Is a long faithfulness. 00:13:28.899 --> 00:13:30.579 By the time Daniel appears. 00:13:31.220 --> 00:13:32.019 He's in his 70s. 00:13:33.139 --> 00:13:34.980 He's been in Babylon for 60 years. 00:13:35.199 --> 00:13:36.679 He used to be a big deal. 00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:38.199 He served God faithfully. 00:13:38.559 --> 00:13:39.980 But he's fallen out of favor. 00:13:40.100 --> 00:13:41.199 But is he upset? 00:13:41.200 --> 00:13:43.520 Has he just jacked it in and said. 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:44.860 God you've let me down? 00:13:45.900 --> 00:13:46.259 No. 00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:49.900 This Daniel who was faithful on day one in Babylon. 00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:50.660 Is faithful. 00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:52.580 60 years later. 00:13:53.980 --> 00:13:55.900 Things haven't got better for him. 00:13:57.160 --> 00:13:58.040 And yet. 00:13:58.240 --> 00:13:59.740 He's still trusting God. 00:14:00.560 --> 00:14:02.379 Even though he's not gone home. 00:14:02.920 --> 00:14:04.660 Even though he's suffered a demotion. 00:14:04.800 --> 00:14:05.800 And has fallen out. 00:14:06.040 --> 00:14:08.259 Of Babylonian high society. 00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:10.939 He doesn't lack zeal. 00:14:11.039 --> 00:14:12.220 When the opportunity comes. 00:14:12.299 --> 00:14:14.700 To give this king really bad news. 00:14:14.919 --> 00:14:16.340 He doesn't bottle it. 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:17.220 And shy away. 00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:20.360 I wonder if Daniel isn't a model for us. 00:14:20.419 --> 00:14:21.340 In this respect. 00:14:21.960 --> 00:14:23.200 Serves God wholeheartedly. 00:14:23.200 --> 00:14:25.179 No matter what it goes like on the ground. 00:14:25.860 --> 00:14:27.439 Still prayerful. 00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:29.039 Still willing. 00:14:30.039 --> 00:14:32.279 Still persevering with his God. 00:14:33.200 --> 00:14:34.319 And he's also a man. 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:34.899 I think. 00:14:34.899 --> 00:14:36.340 In his 70s. 00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:38.039 Of unwavering boldness. 00:14:39.259 --> 00:14:41.679 Daniel appears before Belshazzar. 00:14:42.620 --> 00:14:44.860 The words are not good news. 00:14:45.939 --> 00:14:46.659 He doesn't. 00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:49.139 Even have the slice of goodness. 00:14:49.480 --> 00:14:49.580 Like. 00:14:51.159 --> 00:14:51.799 Nebuchadnezzar. 00:14:51.840 --> 00:14:53.000 You're the golden head. 00:14:53.100 --> 00:14:54.360 There's no kind of. 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:55.600 Sugar on the pill. 00:14:57.500 --> 00:14:58.299 It is. 00:14:58.379 --> 00:14:59.659 This is going to go really bad. 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:01.340 These words are words of judgment. 00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:02.980 From the God. 00:15:03.059 --> 00:15:04.080 Who you've neither honored. 00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:05.700 Nor respected. 00:15:05.700 --> 00:15:06.800 And actually derided. 00:15:07.480 --> 00:15:08.220 In public. 00:15:09.340 --> 00:15:10.220 I wonder again. 00:15:10.300 --> 00:15:11.900 If this isn't a model for us. 00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:13.220 If there's one thing. 00:15:13.280 --> 00:15:14.020 We all lack. 00:15:14.120 --> 00:15:15.200 It's boldness. 00:15:15.600 --> 00:15:17.280 That when opportunity comes. 00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:18.100 To share both. 00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:19.940 The bad news of God's judgment. 00:15:20.020 --> 00:15:21.500 And the good news of the gospel. 00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:23.059 How often. 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:25.399 Do we shy away. 00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:27.440 And stay quiet. 00:15:27.940 --> 00:15:29.399 We need to be bold. 00:15:30.200 --> 00:15:31.639 We need to be clear. 00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:33.559 In the face of fear. 00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:35.000 Clear. 00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:36.820 In the face of fear. 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:37.340 Clear. 00:15:37.700 --> 00:15:39.179 About people's predicament. 00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:39.940 Before God. 00:15:40.179 --> 00:15:41.419 That as Romans 1 says. 00:15:41.480 --> 00:15:42.200 We're all guilty. 00:15:42.200 --> 00:15:44.340 But clear. 00:15:44.940 --> 00:15:46.259 That there is one hope. 00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:47.980 That we've been singing about this morning. 00:15:48.560 --> 00:15:49.460 The Lord Jesus. 00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:51.400 Daniel. 00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:52.020 A man. 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:55.420 Of long faithfulness. 00:15:55.420 --> 00:15:57.320 And unwavering boldness. 00:15:58.020 --> 00:15:59.600 We then get to the second half. 00:16:00.259 --> 00:16:01.600 And God sums it up. 00:16:02.340 --> 00:16:03.840 Daniel now gives Belshazzar. 00:16:03.920 --> 00:16:04.780 A history lesson. 00:16:04.900 --> 00:16:05.759 Concerning his. 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:06.840 Ancestor. 00:16:06.900 --> 00:16:07.420 The great Nebuchadnezzar. 00:16:08.400 --> 00:16:09.840 And the most high God's. 00:16:09.900 --> 00:16:11.500 Patient dealings with him. 00:16:12.200 --> 00:16:14.179 See the description of Nebuchadnezzar's. 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:15.220 Absolute power. 00:16:15.700 --> 00:16:17.620 If you want to know what absolute power is. 00:16:18.080 --> 00:16:19.700 Verse 19 gives us a clue. 00:16:20.139 --> 00:16:21.960 Those the king wanted to put to death. 00:16:22.019 --> 00:16:22.940 He put to death. 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:24.580 Those he wanted to spare. 00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:25.240 He spared. 00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:27.000 Those he wanted to promote. 00:16:27.100 --> 00:16:27.639 He promoted. 00:16:28.059 --> 00:16:29.539 And those he wanted to humble. 00:16:29.659 --> 00:16:30.159 He humbled. 00:16:30.659 --> 00:16:32.039 That is absolute power. 00:16:32.039 --> 00:16:33.279 He can do what he wants. 00:16:33.340 --> 00:16:34.080 With who he wants. 00:16:34.159 --> 00:16:34.960 When he wants. 00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:37.340 But we learn. 00:16:37.440 --> 00:16:39.320 That standing behind absolute power. 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:41.039 Is universal strength. 00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:42.220 Sovereign power. 00:16:42.299 --> 00:16:43.259 In the hand of God. 00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:44.139 Almighty. 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:47.759 And God intervenes. 00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:49.639 Verse 20. 00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:52.820 But when Nebuchadnezzar's heart. 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:53.799 Became arrogant. 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:55.259 And hardened with pride. 00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:57.799 He was deposed from his royal throne. 00:16:57.960 --> 00:16:59.700 And stripped of his glory. 00:17:00.539 --> 00:17:01.419 He goes mad. 00:17:01.820 --> 00:17:03.720 He eats grass like the ox of the field. 00:17:03.940 --> 00:17:04.319 Why? 00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:06.920 Because in his arrogance. 00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:07.900 God humbled him. 00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:10.340 And our God opposes the proud. 00:17:10.420 --> 00:17:11.620 But gives grace to the humble. 00:17:12.400 --> 00:17:13.560 And therefore this man. 00:17:13.640 --> 00:17:15.740 Who thought there was no one like him. 00:17:15.800 --> 00:17:18.160 Finds there's a God that is above him. 00:17:19.840 --> 00:17:21.080 But so low. 00:17:21.160 --> 00:17:22.259 Until he acknowledged. 00:17:22.380 --> 00:17:23.039 Verse 21. 00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:25.560 The most high God. 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:28.620 Is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth. 00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:30.240 And sets over them. 00:17:30.300 --> 00:17:31.259 Anyone he wishes. 00:17:31.259 --> 00:17:37.099 Nebuchadnezzar humbled. 00:17:37.099 --> 00:17:38.980 Until he acknowledged God. 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:41.160 Belshazzar. 00:17:42.180 --> 00:17:44.059 Performs pride filled. 00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:45.379 Idolatry. 00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:47.240 Sacrilege. 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:49.640 Uses things devoted to God. 00:17:49.779 --> 00:17:51.619 To worship the Babylonian gods. 00:17:51.839 --> 00:17:54.099 Of gold and silver and bronze. 00:17:54.460 --> 00:17:56.140 And iron, wood and stone. 00:17:56.420 --> 00:17:58.059 Which cannot see or hear. 00:17:58.059 --> 00:18:00.200 The lesson's the same. 00:18:01.460 --> 00:18:02.019 Belshazzar. 00:18:02.159 --> 00:18:03.879 You have not acknowledged. 00:18:04.019 --> 00:18:05.299 Or humbled yourself. 00:18:05.899 --> 00:18:08.279 Before the God who holds in his hand. 00:18:08.359 --> 00:18:09.139 Verse 23. 00:18:09.639 --> 00:18:10.559 Your life. 00:18:11.079 --> 00:18:12.339 And all your ways. 00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:17.339 Belshazzar's failed to honor the God. 00:18:17.859 --> 00:18:19.480 Who stands above him. 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:22.539 And he will be deposed. 00:18:22.980 --> 00:18:24.179 Like Nebuchadnezzar. 00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:26.480 Belshazzar. 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:28.319 The writing on the wall. 00:18:28.420 --> 00:18:30.860 The verdict is given by God himself. 00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:32.140 Mene. 00:18:32.380 --> 00:18:33.559 Repeated twice. 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:37.079 For emphasis to show that this is absolutely true. 00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:40.860 That God has numbered the days of your reign. 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:42.039 And brought it to an end. 00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:43.799 A truth he's going to discover. 00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:45.680 As his cold dead body lies. 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:48.319 On the banqueting floor this very night. 00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:50.740 Take all you have been weighed. 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:53.480 On the scales and found wanting. 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:53.680 Nothing. 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:55.700 Like the goddess Justicia. 00:18:55.860 --> 00:18:59.160 Who is the statue on top of the old Bailey in London. 00:18:59.940 --> 00:19:01.299 He's got the sword of judgment. 00:19:01.400 --> 00:19:02.779 And the scales of justice. 00:19:03.900 --> 00:19:04.759 And God is saying. 00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:05.579 I've weighed you. 00:19:05.640 --> 00:19:06.900 And you've been weightless. 00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:09.860 There's no evidence of you honoring me. 00:19:09.920 --> 00:19:10.799 As you should. 00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:12.160 Belshazzar. 00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:14.579 Who seemed to be the weightiest man alive. 00:19:14.779 --> 00:19:15.880 With all this glory. 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:16.880 All this banqueting. 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:17.779 All this greatness. 00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:18.700 And God says. 00:19:19.299 --> 00:19:19.640 Nothing. 00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:22.440 You are a mist in my view. 00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:23.840 You have been weighed. 00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:24.460 And measured. 00:19:24.680 --> 00:19:25.539 And found wanting. 00:19:26.100 --> 00:19:26.960 And then passing. 00:19:27.120 --> 00:19:28.200 Your kingdom is divided. 00:19:28.400 --> 00:19:29.820 And given to another. 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:31.000 In fact. 00:19:31.080 --> 00:19:32.759 While this banquet is going on. 00:19:33.100 --> 00:19:34.400 The Medes and Persians. 00:19:34.660 --> 00:19:37.360 Are finishing the most audacious battle plan. 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:38.640 That's ever been enacted. 00:19:38.640 --> 00:19:39.980 In the ancient worlds. 00:19:40.320 --> 00:19:41.500 The river Euphrates. 00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:42.940 That runs through Babylon. 00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:44.080 What have they done? 00:19:44.140 --> 00:19:45.480 Well they've totally diverted. 00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:46.519 The course of the river. 00:19:47.180 --> 00:19:48.779 They've put it into swampland. 00:19:48.840 --> 00:19:50.539 Which lies to the east of Babylon. 00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:52.579 Drying up the riverbed. 00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:54.920 So the impenetrable Babylon. 00:19:56.180 --> 00:19:59.700 Is penetrated by all the soldiers rushing up the river. 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:05.000 And totally decimating the Babylonian kingdom. 00:20:06.940 --> 00:20:08.420 Well verse 29. 00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:12.139 Then at Belshazzar's command. 00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:13.500 Despite what Daniel said. 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:15.139 Earlier on in the chapter. 00:20:15.319 --> 00:20:17.299 A gold chain was placed around his neck. 00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:19.799 And he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom. 00:20:20.599 --> 00:20:21.200 So what? 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:23.859 That's like getting a cabin upgrade on the Titanic. 00:20:24.659 --> 00:20:26.019 Because it's all going down. 00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:28.299 The reason he's the third highest ruler. 00:20:28.419 --> 00:20:29.859 Well you've got Nabodinus. 00:20:30.859 --> 00:20:31.379 Belshazzar. 00:20:31.919 --> 00:20:34.259 And then the first spot available is. 00:20:34.680 --> 00:20:35.119 Chapter. 00:20:35.619 --> 00:20:37.399 Is the third place. 00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:39.819 Verse 30. 00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:40.940 That very night. 00:20:42.059 --> 00:20:44.440 Belshazzar king of the Babylonians was slain. 00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:50.080 And Darius the Mede took over the kingdom at the age of 32. 00:20:51.420 --> 00:20:53.200 I don't know if it bothers you though. 00:20:54.240 --> 00:20:55.180 That Nebuchadnezzar. 00:20:55.320 --> 00:20:57.080 God has been very patient with him. 00:20:57.600 --> 00:20:59.539 We've had four chapters of long reign. 00:20:59.640 --> 00:21:01.860 And God seems to have dealt patiently with him. 00:21:02.539 --> 00:21:05.279 Whereas Belshazzar seems to kind of one strike and you're out. 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:10.559 Well I don't think that's what the text is telling us. 00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:15.139 Firstly Belshazzar is drinking from the goblets. 00:21:15.700 --> 00:21:17.960 This isn't a spare of the moment decision. 00:21:18.579 --> 00:21:20.920 This is just alcohol fuel boldness. 00:21:21.359 --> 00:21:24.680 Giving him courage to do what he's always wanted to do. 00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:27.299 His heart has been set against God. 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:28.559 For a while. 00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:31.859 Secondly read verse 22 carefully. 00:21:32.899 --> 00:21:35.000 But you Belshazzar his son. 00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:36.839 Have not humbled yourself. 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:39.519 Though you knew all this. 00:21:41.399 --> 00:21:41.679 God. 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:43.819 Belshazzar knows. 00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:46.200 About the reality of God. 00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:47.700 How he humbles the proud. 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:50.119 How he will not be mocked. 00:21:50.379 --> 00:21:51.159 How those that are. 00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:53.440 Perform sacrilege and idolatry. 00:21:53.579 --> 00:21:54.480 Will be judged. 00:21:55.579 --> 00:21:57.079 Belshazzar knows all this. 00:21:57.079 --> 00:22:00.240 But he sets himself up against the Lord of heaven. 00:22:00.659 --> 00:22:01.059 Anyway. 00:22:01.619 --> 00:22:02.460 This isn't. 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:04.259 This isn't foolish ignorance. 00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:05.639 This is pride filled. 00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:06.819 Arrogance. 00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:10.019 Belshazzar knows all this. 00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:11.240 But he's going to do it anyway. 00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:13.119 He does not heed the warning. 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:14.639 He does not learn the lessons. 00:22:15.179 --> 00:22:17.919 He will not follow in the footsteps of Nebuchadnezzar. 00:22:18.339 --> 00:22:19.779 Who God was so patient with. 00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:20.779 This is idiocy. 00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:26.699 It's interesting that in. 00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:28.119 Jesus' ministry. 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:29.819 He only calls three people foolish. 00:22:30.919 --> 00:22:34.679 And there are three people who fail to heed judgment when it's coming. 00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:36.039 And just carry on regardless. 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:37.879 In this sense. 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:39.259 Belshazzar is a fool. 00:22:40.419 --> 00:22:42.059 Yet left to our own devices. 00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:44.299 Would the verdict from God be much different. 00:22:44.699 --> 00:22:46.679 On us than it was on Belshazzar. 00:22:46.680 --> 00:22:50.019 If our deeds were measured by the perfect God. 00:22:50.019 --> 00:22:50.860 Who scales. 00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:53.779 Only register. 00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:55.039 Perfection. 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:58.880 Would God write anything much different across our lives. 00:22:59.360 --> 00:23:00.600 Than these words of judgment. 00:23:00.599 --> 00:23:03.359 I think it's very interesting. 00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:05.299 That looking through the pages of scripture. 00:23:05.899 --> 00:23:07.879 What do we see about God's finger. 00:23:07.879 --> 00:23:09.719 And his writing in human history. 00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:13.179 Well the first place we see God's finger mentioned. 00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:14.339 Is in Exodus 8. 00:23:15.339 --> 00:23:17.539 Where Moses and Aaron go to. 00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:19.179 The Pharaoh's house. 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:22.019 And they have this kind of miracle off. 00:23:22.419 --> 00:23:23.980 That Moses performs something. 00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:26.199 And then Pharaoh's magicians perform something. 00:23:26.279 --> 00:23:27.019 And then something else. 00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:27.740 And then something else. 00:23:27.759 --> 00:23:28.920 Until you get to number three. 00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:30.600 Where the gnats come. 00:23:32.140 --> 00:23:33.299 And the magicians say. 00:23:33.360 --> 00:23:34.720 This is the finger of God. 00:23:35.799 --> 00:23:39.380 God in his plagues has revealed himself to be sovereign over it all. 00:23:39.580 --> 00:23:41.519 That's what God had written in history. 00:23:42.600 --> 00:23:44.220 The next place we get God. 00:23:44.600 --> 00:23:48.620 God's finger writing is on Mount Sinai in Exodus 31. 00:23:49.580 --> 00:23:53.120 We read of stone tablets inscribed by the finger of God. 00:23:53.119 --> 00:23:56.599 These laws written by God to reveal who he was. 00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:58.519 And what his people are to do. 00:23:59.139 --> 00:24:00.679 God writes about his sovereignty. 00:24:01.479 --> 00:24:03.859 He writes about what he expects from his people. 00:24:04.179 --> 00:24:06.279 As those that have revelation of him. 00:24:06.899 --> 00:24:10.259 The third place God writes is here in Daniel chapter 5. 00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:11.919 Words of judgment. 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:17.399 Against Belshazzar who has broken the first two commandments on a gigantic scale. 00:24:17.399 --> 00:24:18.399 Just as we have. 00:24:19.319 --> 00:24:21.159 We haven't worshipped God as we ought. 00:24:21.160 --> 00:24:26.060 We haven't honoured him and worshipped many idols instead. 00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:30.120 And so God's finger writes judgment over Belshazzar. 00:24:30.840 --> 00:24:33.200 But in many ways over all humanity. 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:37.080 People who have failed to keep God's law have failed to love God. 00:24:37.340 --> 00:24:40.140 And who have turned away to many and various idols. 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:45.460 Belshazzar's judgment and death is also our judgment and death. 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:49.120 These should be the words written over our lives. 00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:51.680 That God has weighed us and measured us and found us wanting. 00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:56.380 However there's one more place where God writes. 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:59.120 It's in John chapter 8. 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:06.279 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law frog march a woman to Jesus who's been caught in adultery. 00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:11.420 They try to trap Jesus and get him to condemn the woman to being stung to death. 00:25:11.660 --> 00:25:16.079 Just as God's law written by Moses said. 00:25:17.799 --> 00:25:20.440 This woman who's broken commandment number 7. 00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:21.539 What does Jesus do? 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:25.279 He bends down and he writes in the ground with his finger. 00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:30.279 The very same finger that's written before. 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:30.720 Before. 00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:36.200 He repeats the act and invites the sinless one to write. 00:25:36.399 --> 00:25:38.039 To throw home the first stone. 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:41.799 And everyone flees starting with the eldest. 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:45.440 Once everyone's gone Jesus says. 00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:47.480 Woman where are they? 00:25:47.619 --> 00:25:48.980 Has no one condemned you? 00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:51.319 No one said they she said. 00:25:51.899 --> 00:25:53.480 Then neither do I condemn you. 00:25:54.379 --> 00:25:55.819 Jesus declared go now. 00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:58.420 And leave your life of sin. 00:25:58.420 --> 00:26:01.759 And the final words written by the hand of God. 00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:04.039 Are words of grace. 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:07.580 Words of forgiveness to people who will come. 00:26:08.120 --> 00:26:09.840 Humbly before him and acknowledge. 00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:14.740 And receive his offer of forgiveness and pardon. 00:26:15.560 --> 00:26:19.000 That Jesus will write words of grace over our lives. 00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:22.160 If we lay down our opposition to him. 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:25.440 If we stop not respecting him as we should. 00:26:25.539 --> 00:26:27.140 But respect him as we should. 00:26:27.140 --> 00:26:30.340 And we stop replacing him with other things. 00:26:30.580 --> 00:26:33.259 And worship Jesus alone. 00:26:34.140 --> 00:26:37.140 One thing we learn from Daniel chapter 4 and chapter 5. 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:39.020 That there really are only two ways to live. 00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:43.040 We can live like Belshazzar who wants to be king himself. 00:26:43.900 --> 00:26:45.660 And he signs his own death warrant. 00:26:46.380 --> 00:26:50.280 Or we can live like Nebuchadnezzar who lived like Jesus was king. 00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:53.720 A new life and a relationship with God. 00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:58.220 It is only fun sitting in the boss's chair until the boss turns up. 00:26:58.559 --> 00:27:00.599 And then there's serious ramifications. 00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:04.379 One man Nebuchadnezzar pardoned and restored. 00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:07.500 The other Belshazzar judged and killed. 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:10.880 For all those who will turn to trust Jesus. 00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:13.579 God's finger does one more act of writing. 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:16.900 He writes their names in his book of life. 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:21.259 Having your names written in this book will ultimately be worth everything. 00:27:21.920 --> 00:27:24.839 Listen to these words from Revelation 20 and then we're finished. 00:27:24.839 --> 00:27:29.879 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. 00:27:30.159 --> 00:27:34.179 The earth and the heavens fled from his presence and there was no place for them. 00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:39.899 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne and books were opened. 00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:43.959 Another book was opened which is the book of life. 00:27:44.679 --> 00:27:48.799 The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:55.619 The sea gave up the dead that were in it and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them. 00:27:55.899 --> 00:27:59.039 And each person was judged according to what they had done. 00:27:59.619 --> 00:28:02.440 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. 00:28:02.559 --> 00:28:04.339 The lake of fire is the second death. 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:11.960 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown also into the lake of fire. 00:28:12.440 --> 00:28:18.180 There is nothing more important than having your name in God's book of life through faith in the Lord Jesus. 00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:23.059 That over your life is not written judgment but written grace. 00:28:23.659 --> 00:28:30.680 That when we're weighed and measured we will not be found wanting but be found in Jesus our Lord. 00:28:30.740 --> 00:28:31.220 Let's pray. 00:28:37.680 --> 00:28:39.839 Father God bless us and help us. 00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:43.639 Father what is from you seared on our hearts? 00:28:44.500 --> 00:28:47.579 Father what is just the foolish ramblings of fallen people? 00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:49.220 Lord may it blow away in the wind. 00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:56.259 Father I pray we might leave here declaring that you Lord Jesus are our King and our God. 00:28:57.019 --> 00:29:02.460 And that we might leave here with the assurance that you have written words of grace over our lives. 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:06.500 Father may these words continue to resonate in our hearts. 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:09.919 And bring about transformed and fruitful lives we pray. 00:29:10.460 --> 00:29:11.419 In Jesus name. 00:29:11.419 --> 00:29:12.259 Amen.