Daniel: Humble Servant, Faithful God - Faithful God

This week we move into Daniel five where the new king, Belshazzar, holds a great feast for his nobles. As they feast, an army of the Medes and Persians is moving toward the Babylonian city. The nobles have fled their territory for the security of the massive city walls. Together with the nobles, the king believes his gods have not only created the great Babylonian state but will protect them from the invading army. As they party, Belshazzar celebrates the victory of his gods by drinking from the sacred instruments of Israel’s God, which his father (or grandfather) Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem. While he toasts his gods a hand appears, writing a mysterious phrase on the wall, digging into the plaster. Hands were often taken from the bodies of conquered enemies. It’s an ominous sign. The conquered hand of the Jewish God is writing on the wall of the king’s palace. Was God defeated?

As Daniel writes to God’s people, he recalls the supernatural events, reminding them of God’s sovereignty over Babylon and the invading armies of the Medeo-Persian empire. He reminds them that Babylon did not defeat him. In the midst of this grand celebration of power, God would bring Belshazzar and the Babylonian empire to its fateful end. Join us Sunday as we consider God’s message to his people.