OVERVIEW:
Nebuchadnezzar’s tree dream and Daniel’s interpretation (Chapter 4); Belshazzar and the handwriting of God on the wall (Chapter 5; Daniel in the lion’s den (Chapter 6).
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
In chapter 4, Nebuchadnezzar has another dream. This time the dream was about a huge tree overshadowing the entire earth that was ordered to be cut down by an angelic voice. Once again, the king summoned his wise men to interpret the dream, but to no avail, and so once again, he called upon Daniel, the man of God, to provide the interpretation. After hearing the description of the dream, Daniel was rather reluctant to declare the troubling interpretation, sitting in complete silence for a solid hour. The dream dealt with some pretty disconcerting things the king would be encountering in his near future.
The interpretation/explanation of the dream was not difficult. The tree represented Nebuchadnezzar and his mighty kingdom. It would be cut down because Nebuchadnezzar did not give God the glory, even after beholding all of the things God had done. (Daniel 1–3) The interpretation specified that not only would Nebuchadnezzar lose his position, but he would be forced to live like a beast of the field for seven years. The intent of those seven horrific years was obviously to teach Nebuchadnezzar humility, and yet, even after hearing and believing the interpretation, he refused to repent, and continued with his prideful boasting for twelve full months. (4:30) While his boastful words were still in his mouth, the interpretation of the dream began its fulfillment.
For seven years he lived like a beast, just as the dream had delineated. After those seven long years, he finally “lifted up his eyes unto heaven…and blessed the most high.” (4:34) Though it took these drastic measures to finally flush out Nebuchadnezzar’s pride, this chapter is essentially the story of Nebuchadnezzar’s conversion! Our God is, indeed, merciful! Hallelujah! May Nebuchadnezzar’s powerful statement in 4:37 be a very practical warning to all of us: “…and those that walk in pride [God] is able to abase.”
Yet, recognize that this chapter is actually a prophetic preview of what will befall the nations of the world in the latter days. Just about the time the nations will be boasting of their greatness and glory, God will send seven years of awful judgment upon them, bringing them extremely low. Then, at the end of the tribulation period, Christ will return to the earth to establish His millennial kingdom. The nations that have trusted Him will enter into the glorious kingdom while the others will be abased.
In chapter 5, Daniel is now about 80 years old, and Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson*, is now king. Apparently, Belshazzar had not been impressed with his grandfather’s decision to worship the one true God of heaven, as we find him in this chapter throwing a party in honor of one of the Babylonian gods. However, he was not content to simply drink wine in honor of his gods. His rebellious spirit made him feel the need to also blaspheme the God of the Jews (and the whole earth), bringing in the sacred temple vessels to be used in his idolatrous and blasphemous feast. (5:3–4) It was then, that a mysterious hand appeared, writing a secret message on the wall, causing Belshazzar to shake uncontrollably in fear. (5:6) As usual, the king’s experts could not interpret the message in the handwriting on the wall causing the king to become even more freaked out. (5:9) Evidently, the queen hears about how God had crashed her wicked husband’s party and enters the room to tell him about a man by the name of Daniel who could most certainly provide the interpretation of the writing.
Obviously, Belshazzar was completely oblivious of Daniel, and Daniel’s God! Daniel is summoned, as we have grown to expect, and quickly proceeds to exercise his God-given spiritual wisdom in providing the interpretation. Three key words summarize God’s message to Belshazzar in the infamous “handwriting on the wall” (a phrase used to this day because of this account, to refer to circumstances that clearly indicate imminent disaster): numbered, weighed, and divided. Belshazzar’s days were “numbered” and his time was up! He had been “weighed” on God’s scales and found wanting! Now, his kingdom would be taken from him and “divided” by the Medes and Persians. The question is, did Belshazzar actually believe Daniel? There is certainly no evidence of repentance, or the least bit of concern, for that matter! He did, however, keep his promise to Daniel, putting him third in command, as if his kingdom would continue forever. Yet, that same night, Belshazzar was slain and the Medes and Persians took the kingdom, just as God had said. (5:30–31)
Chapter 6 deals with a day in the life of Daniel, the Prime Minister of the Medo-Persian empire. God had honored Daniel’s faithfulness through many different kings and kingdoms. Don’t forget, though, that ever since Cain and Abel, the wicked have hated the righteous, a fact proven again by the events in this chapter. The other leaders of the land conspire against Daniel and manipulate the king to pass a law prohibiting any man from petitioning any God or man, except for the king, for a period of 30 days. This, of course, was a trap specifically designed to ensnare Daniel, because they knew he purposely and consistently cleared off time in his busy schedule three times during the day to pray to his God. They also knew he would continue regardless of the law, choosing to obey God rather than men. (6:10; Acts 5:29)
After hearing of this new law, just as His conspirators suspected, Daniel fearlessly continued his pattern of praying three times a day just as before! Though the king loved and respected Daniel, because of the law, he was forced to cast Daniel into the lion’s den even against his own inner desires. (6:14) The law simply could not be reversed, even by the king himself. (6:15) Daniel, of course, was placed into the lion’s den, sending King Darius into a night of fasting and sleeplessness! (6:16–18) When morning finally arrived, much to the king’s delight, he discovered that Daniel’s God had miraculously spared him from the mouths of the lions. (6:19–23) The men who had accused Daniel were then cast into the lion’s den and killed. (6:24) The king then made a decree stating that Daniel’s God was the one true God, and that He was to be feared and followed. (6:25–27) Daniel went on to prosper in the kingdom throughout the reigns of Darius and Cyrus. (6:28)
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
- As GOD’S ANGEL sent to shut the lion’s mouths — Daniel 6:22 (Revelation 20:3; 1st Peter 5:8; Hebrews 11:33)
*Nebuchadnezzar dies shortly after his conversion and Evil-me-ro-dach begins to reign in Babylon (2nd Kings 25:27). History records a couple other kings, Neriglissar and Nabonidus, with Belshazzar, a son, co-reigning much of the time with Nabonidus. (The Chronological Bible, Regal Publishers, Inc., 1977, pages 1144-1445)