David Bahn – Reflections

Read Daniel 6:10-18

Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” ¹⁷ And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. ¹⁸ Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him.

I have had seasons of restless non-sleep. I somehow manage to take hold of worries, troubles, trials, challenges, and difficulties – some of which belong to me – but over which I have little or no control. I will often lay in bed and pray the Lord’s Prayer during those sleepless nights…over and over again until I finally do fall asleep. The Serenity Prayer is also appropriate: “Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

It is not clear whether King Darius prayed that night is not recorded. We do know he fasted. He didn’t tune in the ancient near-eastern equivalent of HBO, or login to Facebook the night that Daniel spent in the Lion’s den. No diversions were brought to him, we’re told. He anxiously awaited the morning light. He fasted and waited.

We may find ourselves captive to decisions we have made too hastily, or been forced into situations not of our own choice. It is during those times that the blessings of prayer, and the gift of God’s word will be all the more precious to us.

Many years ago, during the lead-up to a major decision our church was making, one long-time and very wise member said, “If we are to accomplish this we will need to fortify ourselves with the Word of God and Prayer.” How true. In fact if we are going to follow the path of God’s blessing we will need to fortify ourselves with the Word of God and prayer. That’s better than any diversion we might offer ourselves.

Read Daniel 6:6-13

When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. – Daniel 6:10

Eugene Peterson has written a highly acclaimed book, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, in which he describes our current calling as disciples of Jesus. He ties this to the lessons gleaned from the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). The subtitle of the book says much: Discipleship in an Instant Society.

Daniel – now perhaps 80 years old or older – is confirmed in his faithful obedience to God, and his habitual prayer to God. When he hears of the edict of the King – and even the cruel and frightful punishment for those who disobey – he does as he always did. This was no newly-discovered fanaticism. This was not the fresh zeal of the new convert. This was his way of life, and a manner of prayer that was up a well-worn set of stairs and through an often-viewed portal from his upper chamber.

Jesus teaches us that there is joy in the presence of the angels of God when one sinner repents. Some of his reason for revealing this to his disciples, and to the people of his day had to do with their loss of vision beyond themselves. They were consumed with their own faithfulness and ritual obedience. Likely they would have pointed approvingly at Daniel: he was doing it right. He was being faithful – even in the face of grave consequences.

Jesus would have no doubt allowed as much – even as he pointed people to the needs of those who are sick. They need the Physician. He came to seek and save the lost.

There is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. What, therefore, is the movement in heaven over the faithful people of God who stand fast in the face of persecution and threat? It would have to be vindication. Those who are faithful to God and his way are vindicated. They have already been saved from a doom worse than death; and they look for something in the life of the world to come.

On this occasion Daniel will be vindicated on the day following his punishment. Jesus was vindicated three days after his ignominious death. You and I will be vindicated on that last day when we who trust in Jesus will be seen to have done the truly right thing. There is joy now as more and more people repent and believe the Good News of Jesus. Those of us who do believe, will be vindicated whenever we align our lives with his grace and truth.

Which is better: Celebration or Vindication? You decide. But I pray for both – for you dear reader, for the world, and for me as well. Thanks be to Jesus!

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom; ² and over them three high officials, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss. ³ Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. ⁴ Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. ⁵ Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.” – Daniel 6:1-5

Jealousy, envy, conspiracy, and subterfuge: Sounds like a plot for a spy movie, but as Solomon so wisely says, “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Indeed. But even this old story – dating from about 2500 years ago – is nothing new. Jacob and Rebecca conspired against Esau and Isaac to steal the birthright. Amon, Absolom, Laban, and Jacob all have their sinister motives and behaviors.

So it is now with Daniel; and he is innocent in the whole matter. In fact although the satraps and other high officials want to topple Daniel from his position of honor, authority, and power, they have no basis to bring him down apart from his public display of faithfulness to God. So rather than trumping up false charges, they coopt his faithful prayer life.

The halls of power are traveled by men and women of wit, intelligence, and sharp-witted cunning. I am too quick to take someone at his word, and too slow sometimes to impute less-than-noble motives to powerbrokers in government and even in the church. The abuses of Watergate, FBI investigations, and CIA operations, not to mention the horrific abuses of the church in the dark ages, all testify to the cunning deceitfulness of men and women.

I would like to think that we could all “just get along.” I’d like to believe that others’ motives are pure and transparent. I’d like to live in a world where there is no envy, jealousy, duplicity, or subterfuge. But that is not where any of us live. Jesus himself has said, “In the world you will have trouble.” There are fallen and sinful people all around us; indeed we are fallen and sinful – often blind to our own false-motives. Our only hope is that God will set things right and that we who entrust ourselves to his ways will be vindicated.

Just because you’re paranoid, doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you. So goes the old saw. Equally true: Just because you’re naïve doesn’t mean you’ll always be around nice people. On a more sober note: “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). But remember this…in the end God wins! Jesus has promised to those who live in troubled times: “Rejoice! I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33)

“Then from his presence the hand was sent, and this writing was inscribed.²⁵ And this is the writing that was inscribed: Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. ²⁶ This is the interpretation of the matter: Mene, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; ²⁷ Tekel, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; ²⁸ Peres, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

²⁹ Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made about him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

³⁰ That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was killed. ³¹ And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old. – Daniel 5:24-31

Have you ever needed to be a person who brings a difficult but true message to someone? Is there someone who needs to hear the truth of God, life, friendship, or vocation to whom you could speak? You have their good at heart. You do not wish simply to wound, you want to offer the wounds of a friend which can be trusted. No multiplying kisses here (cf. Proverbs 27:6).

The satraps, seers and Chaldeans could not offer an interpretation of the writing on the wall. Perhaps they simply were not willing to risk it. The words are most certainly Aramaic; and mean, literally, “numbered, weighed, divided.” It’s not difficult to perceive the meanings of these words – or even the implication of the message. They seem simply to fear the king’s reaction.

Daniel, however, is willing to offer the full truth. The last 10% is the part of the message we often hold back – for fear, because of doubt and uncertainty, or simply because we don’t want to make waves. The last 10% are vitally important to true relationships and possibly even someone’s eternal salvation.

His message will not be popular nor easy to embrace. But it is truth; and Daniel is so completely committed to the truth that he will speak it to power. Speaking truth to power may not be your calling. But speaking truth – even perhaps the last 10% – is our calling. No need to be rude, or unkind. But too often we shrink back in something that becomes a false kindness.

“Then from his presence the hand was sent, and this writing was inscribed.²⁵ And this is the writing that was inscribed: Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. ²⁶ This is the interpretation of the matter: Mene, God has numbered  the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; ²⁷ Tekel, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; ²⁸ Peres, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

²⁹ Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made about him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

³⁰ That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was killed. ³¹And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old. – Daniel 6:24-31

One mark of a great novel or film is the building of tension up to the very end. As you turn the pages toward the end of the book, you wonder how the hero will possibly win the day – of if he will. His doom or glory is quickly revealed and the book offers little opportunity for reflection. It is ended.

When I’m reading such a novel I linger over those last few pages and wish for more back-story and even a look forward to what may happen in the future. Such is the reason for successful book series.

Belshazzar’s end is quick and sudden. Little commentary is given to it. There is no reflection. He is simply killed and another takes his place. Darius is now king.

Sometimes we wonder why God delays in answering our prayer. It may be that he is waiting for you or someone whose story intersects your story to repent. There are times when we simply must thank God for his delay. His deliberate answers are a gift for the sake of our repentance. But we do not know when those times will run out.

Sadly those times ran out Belshazzar very suddenly, but not without warning. Daniel tells him what the riding on the wall means: He has been weighed and found wanting. His time is up. It is set. Whether or not he repented is not made clear.

Swift to it close ebbs out life’s little day. Indeed. Teach us to number our days so that we may apply our hearts to wisdom. Now is the time of salvation. Now is the day of God’s favor. Let us draw near to you and receive help in times of our need.

Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation. ¹⁸ O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father kingship and greatness and glory and majesty. ¹⁹ And because of the greatness that he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whom he would, he killed, and whom he would, he kept alive; whom he would, he raised up, and whom he would, he humbled.²⁰ But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him. ²¹ He was driven from among the children of mankind, and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will.²² And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, ²³ but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored. – Daniel 5:17-23

The above WordCloud is generated by taking words from the passage above and emphasizing them according to their importance/frequency in the text. It’s an interesting exercise to see the results of various communications. More interesting is Daniel’s comments and upbraiding to Belshazzar. He is clearly calling him to account for his failure to embrace the truth that had been revealed to his father during his reign, and his blatant abuse of and desecration of the vessels from the temple of the True Living God.

To some extent this sounds all too familiar. Daniel has encountered several instances of Nebuchadnezzar’s unfaithfulness; one instance of which seemingly comes on the heals of his recognition that Daniel’s God was the true God of all.

Emboldened by the profound weight of truth, Daniel will speak. He will retell the history of Nebuchadnezzar. He will let Belshazzar know that he had no excuse for failing to honor God as Lord of lords. He will make it very clear that the idea of who or what is worthy of praise is sinful and wrong.

Daniel does not flinch from the truth. He will serve, fear, love, and trust in God above all else. His safety is of no concern: How are they going to punish a man who survives being thrown into the lion’s den?!?

People who lie must use an inordinate number of words in complex constructions to keep the world going which they are seeking to build by their lies. Their WordClouds are massively complex and wordy – hardly edifying. Not so with God. Not so with Daniel. May it be no so with us today who follow Jesus Christ who is the embodiment of grace and truth; the Word made flesh.

Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king answered and said to Daniel, “You are that Daniel, one of the exiles of Judah, whom the king my father brought from Judah. ¹⁴ I have heard of you that the spirit of the gods^[e] is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. ¹⁵ Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me to read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not show the interpretation of the matter. ¹⁶ But I have heard that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”

¹⁷ Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation. – Daniel 5:13-17

Gary Chapman has written a book, The Five Love Languages, in which he identifies the five ways we give and receive love. These are words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, touch, and acts of service. Some people’s love language is obvious; he loves to give and receive gifts. She is delighted when she hears the words, “I love you.” Others find great joy in serving others as an expression of their love.

Daniel’s love language seems clearly not to be receiving gifts. At least he seems not to be at all concerned about being treated well or rewarded financially for telling the king the interpretation of the writing on the wall. He is not willing to receive the gifts that the king offers. He might well realize that such gifts will only make him beholden to the king’s future pleasures and purposes. He may think that such honor is not proper for simply using the gift of discernment and interpretation that God had given him.

He will, nonetheless, read the writing to the king and tell him the interpretation. It is not clear whether Daniel knew beforehand that the news would be unfavorable. He is confident that he will be able to read the handwriting to the king. He is certain he can interpret the words. He was certainly aware of the king’s lack of humility before God, and his dismissal of advice of Daniel. Daniel had been put on the back burner of the king’s wisdom cohort. Daniel may have realized that the king had abandoned any sense of humility or groundedness; the news was likely not to be good.

Once I asked a colleague whether he would be willing to serve as the president of our national church body. His immediate answer was, “No.” When I asked why, he said, “Why would I want to be king of nothing?” Whether you agree with that sentiment or not, the assessment of one’s power and prestige may have led Daniel to turn down the king’s offer.

Daniel will receive the honor and gifts he had declined. But they were not the motive for providing the interpretation to the king. That seems to be much more about giving glory to God and revealing his truth to the king and all who are in his entourage.

The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banqueting hall, and the queen declared, “O king, live forever! Let not your thoughts alarm you or your color change. ¹¹ There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him, and King Nebuchadnezzar, your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers, ¹² because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.”

Do you know someone whose advice you are inclined to reject – no matter whether they might be helpful or not? Perhaps he reminds you of an unreasonable college professor. She never seems to have a good word for you and your ideas. Suggestions come, but they are either unwelcome, unneeded, impractical, unreasonable, or simply not possible to take.

When the queen comes into the banqueting hall, she offers great advice. The question is, will the king listen? Will he dismiss her as a meddling interloper?

Sometimes our pride gets in the way. We would rather fail than be shown to need another’s advice. We would rather lick our wounds in private failure than be seen as one who does not have all the answers. We can be our own worst enemies that way.

The queen offers good advice to Belshazzar. She grounds her words in the past experience of Daniel’s help with other dreams and mysteries. He is one who should be called. He will reveal the meaning of the handwriting on the wall. Daniel is the one in whom there is “the spirit of the holy gods.” Will the king listen to her?

A person who is wise will listen to the advice of others. A wise man will seek counsel. A wise woman will embrace the insights of the wise.

Notice how the queen has it almost right: Daniel has the Holy Spirit of God, not just “the spirit of the living gods.” Her advice is right on as far as it goes. It remains to be seen whether Daniel’s advice will be heeded. The fact that he has been ignored for all these years does not bode well for Belshazzar’s future.

If we are ready to listen to others’ advice only when we are scared witless, we are in danger of reaching the limit of our days and our opportunity fully to take advantage of God’s favor in the paths of righteousness to which others may be seeking to direct us.

Immediately the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace, opposite the lampstand. And the king saw the hand as it wrote. ⁶ Then the king’s color changed, and his thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together. ⁷ The king called loudly to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers. The king declared to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing, and shows me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” ⁸ Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or make known to the king the interpretation. ⁹ Then King Belshazzar was greatly alarmed, and his color changed, and his lords were perplexed. – Daniel 4:5-9

It was a very difficult lesson. The assignment was due on Friday. It wasn’t turned in until the following Monday. You might think that would be OK; the teacher could let it slide. But it was not to be. The student would not be eligible for the National Honor Society – even though the grades were all sufficiently high.

The failure to get the assignment turned in was a threshold that was final and irrevocable. It took the wind out of the sails of academic excellence; scholarships were lost. Opportunities evaporated. Could it be that final?

Nebuchadnezzar is dead. His son rules in his place. In an overly-confident display of his wealth and enviable status, Belshazzar sets himself up for a fall. The assignment will not be turned in on time. The plans will not move forward.

Desperate the king seeks someone to interpret the handwriting on the wall. Bravado and hubris give way to panic and frantic measures. Who will give the interpretation? Who can tell us what this means?

When we say that the handwriting is on the wall, we are saying that the inevitable is about to happen. The pink slip is going to show up. The medical report is going to come back. The credit card statement is coming in the mail. The news is not going to be good.

Those who know the rescue and redemption stories of the Bible know that this is a set up for what God will do through Daniel. An even greater deliverance has been accomplished by Jesus, God’s Son. Just when we think there is no more hope, God would have us remember Jesus’ rescue, look to him, and wait for his deliverance.

King Belshazzar made a great feast for a thousand of his lords and drank wine in front of the thousand.

² Belshazzar, when he tasted the wine, commanded that the vessels of gold and of silver that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem be brought, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them. ³ Then they brought in the golden vessels that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. ⁴ They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone. -Daniel 5:1-4

Perhaps you’ve been to a party at which the hosts were trying to make an impression. Nothing but the finest china was on the table. The best wine, most delicious appetizers, perfectly-prepared food, and scrumptious desserts are the order of the event. Everyone has to know there is great wealth, power, influence, and taste are here. I suppose those things must happen in the halls of political powers or the realm of the Hollywood elite.

I’ve not experienced such displays, but I’ve heard of them. There are people who want to make an impression. I’m don’t seem to be one who is the target of such impression; or I’m oblivious to it.

Belshazzar – Nebuchadnezzar’s son – seems to have been one who wanted to make an impression. There are a thousand of his lords, he will show his bounty. In a moment of self-importance he decides to bring out the sacred vessels that had been taken from the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem. He not only profanes the things from God’s temple, he even praises the false gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone! 

Gold, silver, bronze and wood can bring a certain pleasure – short-lived as that may be. How else do we sell exciting cars, beautiful houses, or delightful works of art? But none of these bring true lasting joy. They will be lost, subject to decay, stolen, or left to another. Belshazzar is soon to learn this – though he will try his best to prove himself more powerful even than God.

Such folly is unworthy of any follower of Jesus Christ. We must repent of every tendency to do so, or reject any overtures to be impressed by others who would seek our approval. In the end, he who dies with the most toys…still dies.