Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for February 20, 2022

Handwriting on the Walls of Today

Daniel 5:1-31

1. Overview

• 30 year gap between Daniel 4 and 5
• Nebuchadnezzar is dead and the new king is Belshazzar (“Bel, protect the king!”)

2. Belshazzar Throws a Party 1-4

• lavish feast
• narrator’s intent
• a profane case of idolatry (Rom. 1:18-21)

3. A Hand Suddenly Appears 5-12

• revelation that interrupts the revelry and Belshazzar’s response
• incompetent wise men
• counsel from the queen mother

4. Daniel Is Brought to the King 13-24

• insecurity exposed
• absence of deferential politeness
• a bit of context and a charge from Daniel

5. Interpretation of the Dream 25-31

• mene…tekel…peres
• the promised reward received
• Belshazzar’s demise “that very night…”

6. So What?

• Because its outcome is both certain and devastating, flee the dishonor of idolatry and focus on delight in God.
• Connection to Christ: The only feast for which there is a future is the one where Christ is host. (Matt. 22:11-13, Rev. 19:6-10)
• “What we revere we resemble either for our ruin or restoration.” (G. Beale)
• Remain awed by God’s majesty and mercy. (“Depth of Mercy” by C. Wesley)