The Bigger Picture
It was a pretty fantastic event when Belshazzar, the king of Babylon, saw the finger of God write a message on the wall in the middle of his party! I mean that is crazy! Especially being that it was in a language no one could understand…what do you do in a situation like that?
He had heard of Daniel, a servant of God, who was able to “give interpretations and solve difficult problems” (Daniel 5:16). Calling him forth, he told Daniel that he would clothe him in purple, put a gold chain around his neck, and make him the third highest ruler in the kingdom for giving him the interpretation of the words on the wall. What an honor!
Even before Daniel gave the interpretation, he refused the kingly gift. He interpreted the meaning of the writing anyway, informing King Belshazzar that God was displeased with Babylon. The days of the kingdom were numbered because their sins were great and many, and He would divide it among other nations.
Belshazzar’s response? He glorified Daniel anyway, making him third ruler over the entire kingdom. The king was slain later that night, and his kingdom was divided (v. 30-31).
After reading through this story again, I was confused as to why Daniel refused the gift. The very same thing happened to Joseph in Genesis, where Pharaoh asked him to interpret a dream. He made Joseph the second ruler in all of Egypt, yet Joseph did not refuse. Why did Daniel?
It was because of the heart of King Belshazzar. Daniel knew that Belshazzar didn’t want to give him power and glory out of thanks; it was to get out of punishment. In Joseph’s case, the Pharaoh listened to what God was telling him through the dream, and then gave Joseph thanks by giving him power. Belshazzar, on the other hand, had no intention of making amends or asking for forgiveness from God. He thought that by pleasing God’s servant he could also please God. He didn’t see the bigger picture.
The bigger picture is that God is personal, even in the Old Testament. He didn’t want an act of good or a ritual from Belshazzar; He wanted his heart. Unfortunately, Belshazzar didn’t want to change his ways, nor did he feel sorry for sinning even after God said He was displeased.
What can we learn from this? Doing good for someone else or any other wholesome act without talking to God will not grant us forgiveness or change our situation. Sometimes when we feel bad about ourselves, we try to “make up for it” by doing something we think is a good deed. In reality we have to talk with God, and ask for forgiveness from Him when we sin, and then leave that sin! I am constantly reminding myself to do this. But it gives us forgiveness and peace with ourselves, and more importantly with God. How great it is that our God is a loving and personal God!
He had heard of Daniel, a servant of God, who was able to “give interpretations and solve difficult problems” (Daniel 5:16). Calling him forth, he told Daniel that he would clothe him in purple, put a gold chain around his neck, and make him the third highest ruler in the kingdom for giving him the interpretation of the words on the wall. What an honor!
Even before Daniel gave the interpretation, he refused the kingly gift. He interpreted the meaning of the writing anyway, informing King Belshazzar that God was displeased with Babylon. The days of the kingdom were numbered because their sins were great and many, and He would divide it among other nations.
Belshazzar’s response? He glorified Daniel anyway, making him third ruler over the entire kingdom. The king was slain later that night, and his kingdom was divided (v. 30-31).
After reading through this story again, I was confused as to why Daniel refused the gift. The very same thing happened to Joseph in Genesis, where Pharaoh asked him to interpret a dream. He made Joseph the second ruler in all of Egypt, yet Joseph did not refuse. Why did Daniel?
It was because of the heart of King Belshazzar. Daniel knew that Belshazzar didn’t want to give him power and glory out of thanks; it was to get out of punishment. In Joseph’s case, the Pharaoh listened to what God was telling him through the dream, and then gave Joseph thanks by giving him power. Belshazzar, on the other hand, had no intention of making amends or asking for forgiveness from God. He thought that by pleasing God’s servant he could also please God. He didn’t see the bigger picture.
The bigger picture is that God is personal, even in the Old Testament. He didn’t want an act of good or a ritual from Belshazzar; He wanted his heart. Unfortunately, Belshazzar didn’t want to change his ways, nor did he feel sorry for sinning even after God said He was displeased.
What can we learn from this? Doing good for someone else or any other wholesome act without talking to God will not grant us forgiveness or change our situation. Sometimes when we feel bad about ourselves, we try to “make up for it” by doing something we think is a good deed. In reality we have to talk with God, and ask for forgiveness from Him when we sin, and then leave that sin! I am constantly reminding myself to do this. But it gives us forgiveness and peace with ourselves, and more importantly with God. How great it is that our God is a loving and personal God!
.jpg)
Comments
Post a Comment