Daily Reading: Daniel 12 'Living in the light of the coming King.'

Apparently - and rightly in my opinion - Britain’s best loved novel of all time is JR Tolkein’s ‘Lord of the Rings’. My hunch is that its place at the top of the three has as much to do with people watching the 3 movies as with reading the books themselves. But you can’t argue that they are great books, but having read them and seen the films I always find the ending a little frustrating. It should end in a blaze of glory not in the whimper of Frodo sailing off to the west.

As we read Daniel 12 I wonder what you make of the ending of this book. Daniel this great man who has resolved not to eat from the kings table, who has maintained loyalty and service of God even when threatened with death, who has trusted God even when facing lions is given a final vision that reveals the persecution and sufferings of God’s people. And we can find ourselves turning the page looking for ch13.  Which would contain what? Daniel again standing for God, maybe rescued from the furnace, rather than this slightly unsatisfactory ending. It just leaves us with so many unanswered questions – what next? What happens to Daniel? What will the outcome be of these visions? And so on.

We live in a very man centred world. We live in an age that encourages us to think about ourselves. We live in a world where God is put on trial for the way he deals with humanity. As we read this we naturally find ourselves doing the same and focusing on the pain and suffering people face, but actually the emphasis is on the purpose, people and glory of God. Actually the book of Daniel has shown us that it is God’s glory that matters.

And as the book ends the battle is still raging, in ch1 God’s people are carried off into exile and God’s promises look shaky, so it is here as we see the turmoil and the persecution (11:34-35) God’s promises look shaky, and as the image kaleidoscopes into one of all of history we are reminded that this battle still rages, even now.

Throughout Daniel never for one moment are God’s purposes in danger of failing. Daniel 12 encourages us to keep living as God’s people because it sets before us God’s glory, our future and calls us to live in the present in the light of the Kings coming.

Be in the book

What is the situation that Daniel sees in v1? “a time of distress such has not happened from the beginning of nations until then.” There has never been a time like it and the temptation is to despair, especially for Daniel who shares God’s concern for his people, promises and glory.   But actually the despair is the backdrop that throws into contrast the benefits of being one of God’s people. The pitch sucking blackness of the backdrop throws into even greater relief the splendour and security of God’s rescue of his people.

(1)It is in the time of distress that Michael comes, why does he come? “protects your people”. In fact whenever we meet Michael in the Bible that is what he is doing. Revelation 12 he is contending for God’s people against Satan, in Jude he is doing the same on behalf of Moses, in Daniel 10 he has fought so that the message of encouragement can get through to Daniel. Not only does God warn his people of the coming days of trouble but he promises and provides protection.

But that isn’t all that God does. (v1) God provides “deliverance” for “everyone whose name is found written in the book…” Every one of God’s people will be delivered, not one name will be missed out, not one of God’s people overlooked.  But what is the book? In Luke 10:20 Jesus tells his disciples to rejoice that their names are written in heaven and in Rev 20 we see the book of life opened. Daniel 12 is not just about Daniel’s future but about ours.

This is not a promise that life will be easy for God’s people, protection will not mean that we live in a safe little cocoon where suffering, and persecution will not touch us. It means that we will fulfil that purpose God has for our lives, it means that God’s people will see his deliverance. And God’s deliverance is not from death but out of death (v2-3), it is at the resurrection and the final judgement when our deliverance, God’s salvation, is fully realised as we share in his glory for eternity.

God wants his people be secure, to trust, to resist because they are his protected people and his deliverance is their destiny and his glory their future. That’s why this scroll is to be sealed – it’s not like today where we seal something so no-one can get to it, but in Persia once copies had been sent out one copy was sealed and placed in the library as a permanent record. God wants his people then to know, God wants us to know that even in the crucible of persecution he protects us and he will deliver us, our future and salvation are secure.

Only God’s people know that. How do you know that your future is secure? Your name is in the book. How do you get your name in the book – it is to live by faith, by faith for them in God’s promises to come for us in God’s promises fulfilled in Jesus. It is by faith in Jesus as Saviour and Lord that your name is written in the book.  Is your name in the book? The focus here is on those who are protected and delivered by faith in Jesus. But it does not hide the contrast with those who are not, who will be raised but to face shame and everlasting contempt – eternity outside of God’s presence, glory and blessing. Who face the exact opposite of God’s deliverance.

Trust God not knowledge

I wonder if you feel a little like Daniel as the vision fades in (4). How can it stop there? There are so many unanswered questions; when? How long will it last? What will the final outcome be? How will God do it? What is Daniel to do now?

Daniel is given the answer to some questions but not to others, and the big lesson is to trust in the sovereign God not in what you know.  The big contrast in the chapter is between the wise and the wicked (10). The wicked will search for understanding as these events unfold but will not find it (4), in contrast the wise will understand and know how to live.

Why will the wise understand? Because to be wise means to live according to God’s revelation, it means that they will read these words and understand that God’s rule is never threatened, that as his people are secure and are to live for his glory, to resist, to share their wisdom with others. The wise person knows God and because of that they see and they persevere, they know how to live in every situation. Even when an answer is given it is cryptic (7) “a time, times and half a time…” but reminds Daniel and us that it is within God’s sovereignty, that God will end it according to his plan. Finally Daniel asks what the outcome will be, what answer is he given? (13) Daniel is told he doesn’t need the answers, but he is called to be wise to live according to God’s word and that his future is assured.

Daniel ends as it began, God’s purposes, his people may look in danger but God is sovereign and he protects his people and he will deliver them to a glorious future that is secure, unshakeable and eternal. His call is for them to live in the light of this, to know God and put their trust in him, in other words Daniel live as you have lived, know your God.

Daniel has called on us to see again and again that God is sovereign and he saves. It has called on us to know God – to live in the light of what he reveals to us of himself and his purpose and plans which we find in his word, and it has encouraged us to live for his glory no matter what.

It ends with this glorious vision of eternity with the God we have begun to know on earth, but will know more fully. It ends with the clarion call to live for your inheritance, not wedded to the world.

At first glance it may not seem like a great ending, but Daniel 12 reminds us that those who put their faith in God, who rely on the God who is sovereign and saves, who know their God, who live for God, who persevere are protected and will be delivered. That our actions now echo in eternity for God’s glory.

Daily Reading: Daniel 11v2-45 'The Battle to be King'

Chapter 11 of Daniel is not an easy chapter but in it Daniel is given a glimpse hundreds of years into the future. It is not a guess, God maps out centuries of history before it happens in detail, and it reveals to us the splendour, majesty of sovereignty of God. In fact so accurate is this vision that some scholars say there is no way it could have been written in the 537BC, it must have been written after the events it records as that, they say, is the only way Daniel could have known such detail so precisely.  Except Daniel is not guessing as we have just done, our guesstimates have no weight, Daniel is not guessing God reveals it to him. And God is sovereign, majestic, awesome and to say he can’t know and reveal this is to tame God.

As we come to this chapter the temptation is to be overwhelmed, or bored as in a year 9 history lesson. Actually our response should be amazement. Daniel writes in 537BC about events that take place between 325 and 145BC, it’s as if I was to tell you this morning about the events between 2213 and 2390AD. Our response should be amazement at the God who speaks to us, who holds time in his hands, who reveals himself to us and calls us to know him.

This chapter is not here to bamboozle but to assure and enable. It tells us two things:

1. His people are known by God

Daniel 11 is incredibly detailed as he is told the future after Persia falls (2) and Alexander the Great comes (3). This is a history you can trace in our history books from Alexander’s swift conquest to the battles between two dynasties from the North and the South.  But the real focus here is on what is central, what is between the kings of the North and South. In the middle of the Northern kingdom of Syria and the Southern Kingdom, Egypt, is Israel, God’s promised place, his people and it is the focus of this chapter. In the history books the actions of these powers towards Israel are a footnote here they are the focus, part of the battle Daniel has repeatedly shown us between God and his purposes and the devil.

This chapter reminds Daniel and those who follow that God is sovereign, he reigns, determining the rise and fall of kings and empires. You see it in the “buts” and “it will not” s of the passage. Natural succession, human planning and empire building are all frustrated as God determines the rise and fall of rulers and nations fulfilling his plans and his purposes. Just as he raised up Nebuchadnezzar to discipline Israel by taking them into exile and Cyrus to send his people back to Jerusalem so God will continue to work. 19 different kings are mentioned here, kings whose empires and rule looked permanent but are swept aside. God rules, his reign and kingdom are in stark contrast eternal.

And this great mighty sovereign God cares for his people, v21 and following focus on the rule of Antiochus Epiphanes IV and his dealings with and opposition to God’s people (28) as he attacks (30-32) and desecrates the temple setting up the abomination that causes desolation. God knows what his people face and he cares, he is not indifferent, even this opposition does not challenge God’s throne and God will bring it to an end (35).

One of the features of Daniel’s visions is their kaleidoscopic nature. You remember using a kaleidoscope, you look through and turn it and the images and patterns merge, blur and solidify before merging, blurring and solidifying again. That is what happens with Daniel’s visions they are about events in Israel’s future yet they also contain glimpse of the future far beyond, its seen most clearly in (36-45) as the detail of (1-35) gives way to something less defined. In fact Jesus picks up some of the language of Daniel 11 and uses it to talk about the time just before his return. The encouragement for us is that this kaleidoscopic vision of history is an encouragement for us too not just for Daniel and the Israelites.

God remains sovereign and continues to watch over his people. Nothing is outside of God’s control, he still causes the rising and falling of nations and powers, and he is still working out his purposes so that when he comes, when history is wrapped up his purpose will be complete.

But how do you face such times, how do you face persecution and even death? What difference is this chapter meant to make?

2. A people who know their God

Look at (32) that is what God is calling his people to be, who can stand in the face of such pressures and persecution? “those who know their God will firmly resist him…”  What does knowing God look like? Daniel and his friends have provided a vivid blueprint. Think back to ch1 what does knowing God lead them to do? “Resolved not to defile themselves”, what about in ch3 and 6? Refuse to bow down or stop praying. Why can they do that? Because they entrust themselves to the faithfulness and sovereignty of God.

How do they know God? They have read his word, that’s how they know what pleases God, that’s how they know how to react in each situation. They entrust themselves to God even while feeling the heat of the furnace or hearing the roaring of the lions because they know God has saved his people in the past and he is sovereign over everything. Daniel knows the end of the exile is near and what to pray for because he reads God’s word through Jeremiah.

How do we know God? It is no different, we have to read God’s word, we have to study it, to discuss it, to meet together to work out what it mean. It is written just like this chapter to teach us about God and how to live in the light of what we read. It is what will equip us to react in a godly way in every situation and give us confidence in God that will enable us to resist. 

But here is where I think we often have a problem. We live in the age of the instant don’t we? It is seen in our impatience with the world, we are so used to getting everything straight away that to wait for something is hard. That’s why traffic jams provoke such fury, why slow service is so annoying, why we get irritated if the parcel that should be here in 2 days is here in 3. We also get things easily don’t we, we don’t dig, plant, water, weed, and pick we walk into Asda and buy the strawberries.

We carry that ‘instant ease’ idea across into our thinking that’s why books that tell us shortcuts to success are so popular, even in Christian circles. That’s why maybe this morning you thought ‘yes here comes the 3 step answer to knowing God’ and then we see it is reading God’s word and there is that slight sag of our shoulders. But it takes so long and is so hard to do, why can’t it be like an instant download. You are not alone in that battle, so work with others, encourage one another, talk about it over lunch, ask questions. Why? Because knowing God matters because it enables us to resist, to live for him.

What does resistance look like? It looks like keeping God’s covenant, staying faithful to him no matter what we face. It looks like teaching others (33) how to do the same, it may even mean dying for your faith (35). That is how it looks then what about now? The opposition may be more subtle but it is no less real. We live in a world that calls us to worship things, or family, or sex, or career, or body image all of them idols. We live in a world that call us to compromise on our covenant with God made in Jesus blood to follow him, to worship him alone, where he provides our peace and confidence.

We live in a world that competes for our desires and those of our children in what we watch, what we listen to, what adverts we see. The battle of Daniel still rages, not above us but around us. The encouragement is that God is sovereign and he rules the call is to get to know the sovereign God who gives his son for us so that we can resist and live for God.

Daily Reading: Daniel 10 'The Response of the King'

When you look at events in the world, when you listen to the news, or read the front half of the newspaper what is your reaction to what you see or read? Who is in control? If you just look at these images you can see some events from the news in the last month. Who is in control?  Does a force larger than ourselves bid us our direction? …or is it God who intervenes keeping us safe?

Daniel gives us the answer.

“For he is the living God
and he endures for ever;
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
his dominion will never end.
He rescues and he saves;
he performs signs and wonders
in the heaven and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
from the power of the lions.”Dan 6:26-27

That confession from king Darius summarises chapters 1-6 of Daniel and Daniel 7-12. God is sovereign even as Israel is carried into exile, he is on his throne, and Daniel and his friends have entrusted themselves to this sovereign God even in Babylon. As a result God has shown through them that he is the King again and again, saving his people, revealing that even in exile God reigns, even as they are put into the fire God reigns, as kings and empires rise and fall God reigns, as Daniel is put in the lions den God reigns.  The dreams and visions that make up the last half of the book look at the future both for Israel and the world and conclude that God is sovereign, his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end, he rescues and he saves.  Daniel 10-12 are the final vision, chapter 10 sets the scene and as we look at it God reminds us again that he reigns and calls his people, us, to live our lives in the light of that knowledge.

1. Sharing God’s concerns

Time has moved on since chapter 9 where Daniel prays for the return of the exiles to Israel. Cyrus is king and it is the third year of his rule. And (v2-3)Daniel is mourning and fasting and the question is: why?

In chapter 9 Daniel prays for the return of the exiles and between 9:27 and 10:1 that has happened. Ezra 1 tells us that in the first year of Cyrus’ reign God moved Cyrus to allow Israel to return. So you’d expect Daniel to be joyful, to be celebrating not mourning. Do you notice to how specific Daniel is about the date? The first month was significant for Israel because it was Passover, a time of joy and celebration at God’s deliverance. Surely Daniel should have been partying not mourning, feasting not fasting?

So why is he mourning? Because the return has been disappointing, only 42000 of the exiles have returned many more have preferred, have chosen to stay in exile. To make matters worse there is opposition to the rebuilding and the returned exiles are discouraged and down hearted. This does not seem to be the joyful, God glorifying return Daniel had prayed for and anticipated.  Daniel mourns because he cares for God’s people. But it is also because he is concerned for God’s name.  Daniel connects God's name with. If Jerusalem is in ruins so is God’s glory, if God’s people look insignificant that reflects on God and his glory. The exile was meant to bring the nations pouring into Jerusalem to worship God having seen his glory in the city and its people. But that is not what is happening and Daniel fasts and mourns because he cares about God’s name and God’s glory.

Do I care about God’s glory, a glory connected to the church that bears his name?  Daniel wasn’t with the exiles, they are miles away but his concerns are God’s concerns, what about mine? Do I pray as fervently for the persecuted church in China or in the world as I do for my own church? Is my concern that God’s name will be glorified?  Our temptation is to be concerned with our little patch, Daniel’s concern is for God’s glory, do I share God’s concerns? Will I mourn and pray for God’s glory be it in Doncaster, London, Paris or Beijing? Is God’s name my concern?

2. Remember God is sovereign

In answer to Daniel’s prayers and fasting he is given this vision of one whose description goes way beyond that of Michael or Gabriel, beyond descriptions of angels. The description (5-6) pulls together terms to convey power, majesty, and splendour. They are the most precious and powerful things known, and yet there is a sense in which they fall short, he is like that yet it doesn’t do him justice.  Who is it? In Rev 1:13-15 there is a similar description of Jesus Christ in all his glory. This is the Son of Man figure from chapter 7 this is the second person of the trinity, it is God the Son.

How does Daniel react? He is left helpless and overwhelmed, yet (10-12) Daniel is cared for, this vision is the result of Daniels prayers and concerns for God’s name and glory born by his city and his people.  (v12-14) Daniel is reminded that this world is not all there is, that behind the scenes of history there is a spiritual battle that is taking place, behind the powers of the world there is opposition to God, but the encouragement for Daniel is that God is sovereign, even over the rise of Greece and the fall of Persia. There is a battle raging but God is sovereign, the outcome is never in doubt no matter how it looks.

It is crucial that Daniel gets this view of history given the vision that he is about to see, it is to bring him peace despite the battle. God is sovereign yet he cares for you, Daniel. Do you see the Sovereign God’s care for Daniel; God hears him (12), he gives him the vision, the strength to listen and see, and Daniel is to write down these events before time to enable God’s people to stand.

God is sovereign, mighty, powerful, awesome, yes. He is engaged in a battle, yes. But he loves and cares for his people. Sending them his word before hand so that they will know he is in control over everything that happens, as they face their darkest days, as they are in the midst of despair and persecution God remains sovereign.

When we hear of persecution and opposition to God and his people we should pray that they know that God is sovereign, his throne is not threatened. That they would be reassured as Daniel was that God is sovereign and he cares for his people. We should pray that God would intervene on behalf of the oppressed, the persecuted and the violated.

God’s word warns of persecution, it is an inevitable part of the battle we are engaged in as God’s people. God is sovereign and he cares. We need to be praying for our brothers and sisters there that they would know God’s sovereignty and love and entrust themselves to it.  God is sovereign and he cares for us, we need only ever look at the cross to be assured of that and of the ultimate victory.

Whatever situations we face God remains sovereign, he is on the throne and he rules, he rules as Daniel is thrown into the lions den, just as much as he rules as he reveals this message to Daniel. He cared just as much for Daniel as he is thrown into the lions den as he cares for Daniel here as he strengthens him and enables him to stand.

God is sovereign and he rules we need to remember that this week as we face circumstances that may seem beyond our control. As things take us by surprise they do not surprise God, as things throw us they do not throw God. And behind it all God is working out his purposes for his people for his glory. And we just like Daniel are called to live in the light of the sovereignty of the God who loves us, maybe the sometimes the you are tempted to doubt that love. God’s love meant he left heaven and went to the cross for us, when we doubt God’s love that is where we need to look. And as his blood bought children we are called to share his concerns to care passionately for his glory and name as we pray, act and speak.

Daily Reading: Daniel 9 'Crossing the dismal swamp'

J A Montgomery described Daniel 9 v20-27 as “a Dismal Swamp” and it's easy to see why when you read it.  These are some of the most difficult verses you will find even before you start reading lots of different interpretations.  Does it apply to the period of Antiochus Epiphanies, or to the coming of Christ and then to the events of the end, or does it refer to the coming of Christ and events of AD70?  You can pick various commentators and each will argue for their preference.

I’ll give you mine and the reasons why.  Verse 20-23 tell us that the words given to Daniel are the result of Daniel’s prayer being heard, there must therefore be a connection with what Daniel has been praying for.  Daniel's prayer has been concerned with sin, with God’s people and God’s place – Jerusalem(v16).   It follows therefore that Gabriel's words are concerned with the same things. Verse 24 picks up on that concern “Seventy “sevens” are decreed for your people and your holy city”.  

“7s” – the ESV and TNIV translate it weeks, it is literally “heptads” – a group of seven. Though it is used to mean weeks elsewhere in OT.  Some take it as figuratively meaning years and then argue that the 7x7s are 49 years, 62x7s are 434 years which are the period of silence until the New Testament, the last 7 is Christ’s death and the events of 70AD when temple is destroyed.  But there is nothing in the passage to indicate it should be years, and no scheme fits totally. It also means elongating the last 7 to cover 37-ish years.  This passage is not concerned with chronology.  Apocalyptic literature functions to give hope for now and the future – not detailed chronology.

Chapters 8 and 10-12 concern the events surrounding Antiochus Epiphanes, so it would seem strange for this chapter to be unconcerned with them.  The seventy “sevens” are an overview before the next verses break that period up. They are decreed by God at the end of which six things will have happened each to do with Daniel's people, city and sin.  There will be three periods; 7x7s, 62x7s and final 7.  The first period is 7x7s between the word to rebuild and the coming of the anointed one.

But that raises another question(v25); what is the word that goes out and when is it? Is it Jeremiah's prophecy of rebuilding or fall of Jerusalem, is it of God’s word to Jeremiah, or the decree of Cyrus, Darius, or Artaxerxes, or the decree of Nehemiah 1? Or is it from this word given to Daniel?  We automatically think of anointed one being Jesus, but Cyrus is referred to as God’s anointed (Isaiah 45:1) priests are also anointed, as were kings – so it could also be Zerrubbabel or Joshua (Zech 4:14 – ‘sons of oil’).

And there is another question; is the anointed one in v25 the same as v26. Might it be better if we read it as “an anointed one”. It may be two people? Maybe Cyrus as anointed rebuilder and the high priest of the Antiochene era?

The 2nd Period is of 62x7s and is the period of rebuilding “in time of trouble” – probably during the time of Nehemiah.  (26)In the final 7 the anointed one will be put to death. Under Antiochus the High Priest was killed.  (26-7) Are reminiscent of Ch8 and events we saw there, but it also fits events of Christ and AD70.

My hunch is that there is an element whereby the 7x7s is time between this word to Daniel and the first anointed one is Cyrus, 62x7s are period of rebuilding which we can read something about in Nehemiah. And the final 7 is the time of Antiochus – when abominations happen as we saw in ch8.  But amidst all the complexities and difficulties we mustn't lose sight of the promise, that when all that is past God will put an end to sin.  We need to remember too that Apocalyptic scripture has duel focus. The chapter is allusive – it doesn’t seem to fit one set of events because I’m not sure it does. The answer to Daniel’s prayer is that Christ is coming to deal with sin but not until after the time of trouble he has been made aware of in chapter 8.  Gabriel is a link to Luke 2 and his words announcing and welcoming the coming of the one who will end sin. 

In all it's difficulties this is an answer to Daniel's prayer.  It is holding out hope to Daniel, God's people will return to Jerusalem as God promised and as Daniel has read in scripture.  But that return is not the answer to the problem of sin, yet God is sending the answer.  An answer we know, which we have believed in and we now wait as his people longing for and living in the light of the cross and the salvation won for us their and his return, which we wait for, look for and long for.

Daily Reading: Daniel 9 'Coming before the king'

Chapter 9 of Daniel is in two parts, prayer and answer.  And what we learn in these chapters explains the man we see in 2-6.

1. Daniel on his Knees (1-19)

We know Daniel is a man of prayer from ch2 and 6 and now we get an example of his prayer.  It is a prayer that is prompted and permeated by the word of God (1-3), specifically Jeremiah 25:8-14.   Which foretells that the exile in Babylon will last for 70 years.  That time is now complete as the Babylonians have been defeated and (14) is fulfilled.  Jeremiah 29:10-14 – God will do what he has promised.

Daniel takes God’s sovereign purpose as an incentive to pray, asking God to do what he has said he will do.  But scripture permeates this prayer; (v11) Refers to the law (v13) to the law of Moses, it makes reference to the covenant of love – God’s righteousness is his faithfulness to that covenant.
And it is the covenant and God’s righteousness that prompts Daniel to pray that the words he has read will be fulfilled, it is the source of his hope and the fuel for his prayer.

But Daniel's prayer is also centred on a concern for the reputation of God.  God is honoured in this prayer, his name is hallowed.  The chapter is hot through with praise of God and his character: (1) “great and awesome”, “ keeps his covenant”, (7, 14, 16)“righteous”, (9, 18)“merciful and forgiving”, (12)fulfils his word, (15) Saviour, (15)mighty.  Daniel doesn’t charge God with wrong, in fact he exonerates God.  Daniel sees the events of exile in light of the scripture he has read and knows that God is revealing his justice and holiness, keeping his covenant.  The plea he makes isn’t for his sake but “For your sake, Lord…” because God’s people & city “bear your Name”.

Thirdly Daniel's prayer is driven by an awareness of sin.  Daniel is a righteous man, so what is surprising about this prayer is that it is confession, “we” and “our” appear 7 times. This isn’t about ‘their’ sin, but collective responsibility.  A concern for God’s glory seen in God’s people.  The contrast is made between a faithful God and a faithless people “we have been wicked, we have turned away, we have not listened” and is heightened by “but” (7) and “yet” (13).  For Daniel there is a clear cause and effect relationship between their sin and the exile (8, 12, 14).  There are no sense of rights in Daniel’s prayer, it is a cry based on God’s mercy, righteousness and covenant (18).

Lots to learn from this as we come to pray.

Daily Reading: Daniel 8 ' A bleak future for the kingdom'

If chapter 7 is an overview of the whole of history calling on us to recognise the sovereignty of God, the cosmic battle we are engaged in and reassuring us that we will share in the victory of Christ when he brings about God’s kingdom. Then chapter 8 narrows down and zooms in to focus on specific events in a specific time frame. But more than that this chapter is concerned with God’s people.

1. God’s people are his treasured possession

Daniel is written in two languages, Hebrew and Aramaic. Chapter 1 is in Hebrew then ch2-7 are in Aramaic before it switches back to Hebrew at the start of chapter 8. Why does this matter? Because I think it gives us a helpful hint about this chapter, chapter 2-7 are in the international language of the day so that all people in the Babylonian empire will grasp what Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar and Darius are meant to learn about God:

“For he is the living God
and he endures forever;
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
his dominion will never end.”
He rescues and he saves;
he performs signs and wonders
in the heaven and on the earth.”
Daniel 6:26-27

Chapter 8 changes to Hebrew because it specifically concerns God’s chosen people, Israel, and his concern for his treasured possession.  I just want to unpack this vision before we look at what it has to say to us. There are three main characters in the vision:

a. (1-4) The ram with two horns, (20) tell us that this is the empire of the Medes and Persians and the horns are its two kings. Remember Daniel is still serving Belshazzar at this time, this is before the events of chapter 5, Babylon still stands, it is a time of instability and uncertainty and Daniel is told that Babylon will fall, and that even its successor the empire of the Medes and Persians will not last.

b. The shaggy goat (5-8) appears from nowhere and destroys the ram, but its king gives way to 4 horns, then from one of these comes another horn (9-12) which sets itself against God and attacks his people.  (21) Tells us that this shaggy goat is Greece, and the horn is the first king who we now know was Alexander the Great. Daniels vision concerns events in the distant future and the vision is startlingly accurate. The Greek empire under Alexander swept to power, and devastated the Medo-Persian Empire in 334 and 331 BC. And after Alexander the empire he had built was divided up into four regions with four rulers. 

c. the little horn. I guess most of us have heard of Alexander the Great, he is one of the pivotal figures in history, a tactical genius and a great leader. But do you notice how much attention is paid to him here? The focus is not on Alexander. The history books may focus on him but this chapter doesn’t. What is God’s focus on?   The focus is on the little horn, Alexander gets 3 mentions whereas the little horn is focus of the majority of the chapter, why? Look at (9) “Out of one of them came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and to the beautiful land.” 

Why is the little horn the focus? Because this is the history of God’s promises and the little horn stands in opposition to them. Because God’s concern is with his people in his place, the beautiful land.  (10) The “starry hosts” who are attacked are God’s people. Remember back to God’s promise to Abraham “Look up at the heavens and count the stars – if indeed you can count them… so shall your offspring be.” (24) This king will persecute God’s people and desecrate God’s place.

In 175BC, this king came to power. He called himself ‘Theos Antiochus Epiphanes’ which means the ‘illustrious God’. He took Jerusalem, replaced the high priest and when the Jews rebelled he savaged Jerusalem killing tens of thousands, and taking others into captivity. And as if that wasn’t enough he entered the holy of holies and sacrificed a pig on the altar of burnt offering and defiled the temple. In 168 AD he returned again killing 20,000 as they worshipped on the Sabbath, put a statue of Zeus in the temple and made human sacrifices on the altar.

Do you see why Antiochus Epiphanes is the focus? Because God’s people matter to him, they are his treasured possession. That’s why Daniel is given this vision so that they will not despair when this happens. So that they will know God’s hand has not slipped, that God still has plans for them.  (27) What is Daniel’s reaction to this vision? “I was appalled by the vision…” Even though it is 400 years in the future Daniel is bothered, he is bothered because he shares God’s concern for his people for his kingdom. Because he shares God’s concern for God’s glory seen in his people.

If Daniel’s vision in chapter 8 was true then we can trust the vision of chapter 7, of ongoing conflict between God’s kingdom and people and those of the world. Do we share Daniel’s concern for God’s people? Do we share Daniel’s concern? Or am I too busy being concerned with my little patch?  It is easy to be concerned with what we are involved in, but Daniel 7 and 8 calls us to a kingdom concern. Am I bothered about God’s people in Iraq, or Pakistan? How about closer to home? Will I rejoice with other churches in Doncaster as they grow, and more people come into God’s kingdom or am I tempted to wish it was us? Church planting is not about competition it is about seeing God’s kingdom grow.

God is concerned for his treasured possession, for his kingdom, we are to share that concern.

2. To oppose God’s people is to oppose God.

The vision that Daniel sees is bleak, there seems to be little hope but he is sent an interpreter (16) so that he understands. It’s worth noting he is not given understanding of everything, but he is to understand the nature of the conflict.  “the vision concerns the appointed time of the end” Now in the New Testament that would mean the second coming, but not here, here it refers to the conclusion of the matter, to the end of the oppression of God’s people. Daniel is to understand that this opposition to God is limited, that as this king reigns he opposes God himself as he opposes God’s people and his purpose.  And as chapter 7 showed us across the whole of history that can only have one outcome, “he will be destroyed, but not by human power.”

To oppose God’s people is to oppose the sovereign God and it leads to destruction. This little horn is a picture of unrestrained opposition to God, what the bible calls sin. Sin is always opposition to God and it always ends in judgement. And Antiochus was struck down just as (25) says, he died suddenly of a mysterious and painful disease.  I guess that all seems far away and long ago, its ok for the historians but what about for us?

Do you trust the Bible? Not do you think it is accurate, but do you trust it? How do you know whether you trust something? You trust something if you set your living by it? Does what it tells you, what it promises, affect the actions and decisions you make? That’s how you know you trust the Bible.  If chapter 8 was true then I can trust chapter 7, I am part of a battle between the kingdom of God and the world, I am to expect opposition but to remember that in Christ the victory is already won. It is to affect the way we live. It means that hostility will not take us by surprise, it means that people refusing the gospel will not shock us because it is part of the battle we are engaged in, it means that we live building God’s kingdom now as we go into the office, or staff room or playground.

It is an encouragement to us because God cares for his people. Right from the moment of the fall in the Garden of Eden God has been working to bring people back to him, to create a people for himself, who know him and who are his people in his place living under his rule. He does it supremely in his son who dies in our place so that the penalty for our opposition to God is paid and God’s justice is upheld. As we face battles and struggles this week God knows and he cares for his people.  But that is also a challenge to us, do I share that concern for his kingdom and for his people? Maybe this week you want to widen your horizon when it comes to God’s kingdom. This weeks prayers in your bulletin are for God’s people as they suffer for God’s kingdom around the world – why not use it. Do you want to know what to pray – well why not take the phrase from the Lord’s prayer “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come, your will be done” and use that as you pray for them.

Lastly it tells us that opposition to God’s people is opposition to God himself. As we face opposition it is not opposition to us it is opposition to God.

Daniel 8 reminds us that God’s word is true, that his people are loved and that God deals with those who oppose him. Fix those truths in your mind this morning as you ready yourself for another week.

Daily Reading: Daniel 7 'Opposition to the Kingdom

Daniel 7 is a vision given to a man in exile.  A man who is faithfully slinging to the promises of God as he serves a foreign king and empire.  In it we see Daniel feeling overwhelmed, just look at (15) Daniel is “troubled in spirit, and the dreams that passed through my mind disturbed me.”  The chapter is about how to see the world; did you notice the repeated words “vision”, “looked”, “watched”. This vision is an encouragement to view the world rightly. There are three lessons God has for us here as we test our view of the world:

1. See the Real World (1-8)

Daniel 7 is a shocking montage of images, no sooner does one fade than another more shocking one takes it place. But these are not abstract pictures they are about the world Daniel and we live in. The great sea (2) represents the chaos and confusion that is the world without God and from out of that chaos emerge world rulers who are brutal and oppressive.  So there is the lion with eagles wings, there’s the bear who we see in the middle of devouring something, there is the leopard with 4 heads and wings, and there is the terrifying fourth beast who is “very powerful… had large teeth… crushed and devoured its victims...” Then from here come 10 more rulers and finally another who opposes God himself and persecutes God’s people.

There have been lots of attempts to work out who these beasts are, and there are clues to help us do so, but the danger in doing so is that we miss the big point. In apocalyptic books, as here and in Revelation we are meant to get the big picture not fixate on the details.  The big picture of Daniel 7 is of all of world history marked by the rise of fall of brutal rulers and world powers. I guess as we look back on world history we can see that for ourselves.

History will be marked by powers that oppress God’s people (21). This figure is making war against God’s holy people, and (25) emphasises the same point again; “He will speak against the Most High and oppress his Holy People and try to change the set times and laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hand for a time, times and half a time.”  The people of God will face oppression from governments, rulers and powers. Did you know that 1in10 Christians alive today live in persecution? In Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, the Philippines. In India a few years ago near Christmas 95 churches and 730 Christian homes were burnt down in 48 hours. Daniel 7 is there to help us see the real world, to open our eyes, to prepare us and to encourage us that none of it takes God by surprise and to share Daniel’s concern for God’s people.

It’s easy to think persecution is not an issue we face in Britain, certainly not overtly from our leaders. But we live in an unusual period of peace it Britain; we live in the eye of the storm, and there is a very real sense in which, if we are aware of it, those times are changing and Christianity is increasingly under attack.  It may well be that we are heading back towards opposition as secular fundamentalism grows, as laws protecting Christian freedoms are gradually removed. As society fragments and people either believe or oppose belief. But Dan 7 says God knows, and he sees. Do I see the Real World and the conflict we are part of?

2. See our Sovereign judge (9-11)

There is a danger both for Daniel and ourselves here, either it is not recognising the nature of the world we live in or in being too focused on the beasts. In the images of (9-11) God shows Daniel reality; he pulls back the curtains of history and shows him where real authority is. (8) Daniel is in danger of being overwhelmed by the images of the beasts; he is troubled and disturbed (15). But (9-11) he sees a new vision of God the sovereign judge.

And whilst chaos accompanies the visions of the beast (2) here all is calm, authority and majesty mark this scene. As the eternal God takes his seat there is no striving or struggling for power, as he sits on his throne of judgement his splendour and majesty are apparent. As he begins judging and “the court was seated, and the books were opened.” there is no challenge to his authority.  This is where the real power is. There are hints of it all through the chapter, look at the beasts, they are “given” and “commanded”, even they are under God’s authority. It is the “winds of heaven” that stir up the sea (2). God is sovereign, he rules.

Even when cruel rulers oppose God and oppress his people God is sovereign, he sets the limits (25), he will have victory and he will judge and destroy the beasts (11-12).  It is the repeated lesson of the chapter, it is the big point. Why? Because it is what is repeated. Look at (17-18) which is a summary interpretation of the dream, the emphasis is on God and his people’s victory. This same message is repeated in (22, 26-7).

World history is the arena for a cosmic clash between two kingdoms, the Kingdom of the world and the Kingdom of God, but the outcome is a foregone conclusion, and the victor is never in doubt. Do you see the encouragement as I view history? As we look at our lives, as we are tempted to feel overwhelmed? Not only does God warn us its coming he reminds us that he will triumph and we will share in his victory.

As we watch the news with all its corrupt, despotic, violent rulers and powers that oppress and persecute God’s people, as we read of Christians suffering and harassed, as we face ridicule, remember reality, remember your future. The futures bright the futures God’s victory.

3. See our Saviour

Then in (13-14) the image changes again and now Daniel sees another figure “before me was one like a Son of Man.” That literally means a “human being”, but actually this is a human being like no other.  What do you notice about this Son of Man?  He is led to God’s throne of judgement and he can stand, he is not destroyed or judged. (14) He is given authority, glory and sovereign power, in contrast to the beast’s limited temporary authority, this Son of Man shares the very authority of God.

He is worshipped in the very throne room of God by “all nations and peoples of every language”. Elsewhere in the Bible when a servant of God is worshipped they quickly redirect the worshipper to God, but not here. Here is someone who stands in the very presence of God and is rightly worshipped, who justly receives the worship due to God alone.  The Son of Man not only receives the worship due to God alone but he is spoken of in terms used of God. Look back at 6:26 and see the echo here in the words used of the Son of Man.

This is the perfect man who can stand before God, but more than that this is God made man come to bring God’s kingdom. The coming and victory of the kingdom is wrapped up in this figure.  (13) Where is the Son of man going? He comes into the throne room of God on the clouds. It seems to be an image of the ascension of Jesus.  Jesus is the Son of Man figure, worthy of worship because he is God come to earth to establish God’s kingdom before returning to his Father.

In Matthew 28:18 Jesus picks up this image; Jesus said “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” I am the Son of Man he is saying and then what happens, Acts 1 tells us “After …this he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” Where is he going? Into the throne room of God.

But as he goes he leaves his disciples a task again spoken in terms of Daniel 7 “go and make disciples of all nations…” They are to continue building the kingdom to gather all the nations to worship Jesus. And as they do so, as we continue doing so, as we engage in this cosmic battle we will face the opposition envisaged in this chapter

Jesus is the Son of Man, God made man who brings about God’s kingdom not through striving and battling for power but through his death. Who has returned to the Father and waits to return and bring the battle to an end.  Be encouraged victory is assured because it was won at the cross if you trust Jesus. We need to adjust our view of reality, to see with the Bibles realism, expect opposition, when oppression comes don’t feel God is not in control but know he remains sovereign.  Don’t be frightened, don’t focus on the beasts, focus on the Son, God has already won the victory and we will share in it by faith. This week when we are tempted to be overwhelmed remember God rules. The futures bright the futures God’s victory.

Bible Reading: Daniel 6 'Obeying the King'

"It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, 2 with three chief ministers over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. 3 Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the chief ministers and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. 4 At this, the chief ministers and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. 5 Finally these men said, ‘We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.’

6 So these chief ministers and satraps went as a group to the king and said: ‘May King Darius live for ever! 7 The royal ministers, prefects, satraps, advisors and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. 8 Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered – in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.’ 9 So King Darius put the decree in writing.

10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened towards Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: ‘Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?’

The king answered, ‘The decree stands – in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.’

13 Then they said to the king, ‘Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.’ 14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sunset to save him.

15 Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, ‘Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.’

16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, ‘May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!’

17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.

19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, ‘Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?’

21 Daniel answered, ‘May the king live for ever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.’

23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

24 At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

25 Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth:

‘May you prosper greatly!

26 ‘I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.

‘For he is the living God
    and he endures for ever;
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
    his dominion will never end.
27 He rescues and he saves;
    he performs signs and wonders
    in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
    from the power of the lions.’

28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian."

As chapter 6 opens Daniel is an old man, if he was a teenager in chapter 1 he is now somewhere around 70 or 80.  Again in this chapter we see themes that have run throughout the book: 1. Insecurity of monarchy, 2. Battle between kingdom of darkness and light.  We also see that the temptation to compromise recurs throughout Daniel’s life, it isn't a once for all fight, but a daily battle to stand and live faithful to the real King.

1. How to handle office politics (1-9)

In verse 1 we see yet another king, another empire – but Daniel remains the symbol of God’s kingdom.  There is no Darius in historical records of the time: we just know nothing about him, maybe he was a short ruling regent, or he is Cyrus, see footnote on v28 in your Bible.  Or Darius may be known in history as Gubaru, son of Ahasuerus, appointed governor of Babylon by Cyrus who is known to have installed under-governors in Babylon.

We see that in Daniel's day as in ours corruption is a problem among the ruling classes so much so that Darius appoints three chief ministers that verse 2 he “might not suffer loss”.  (v3) Daniel stands out in contrast to the other characters in the ruling elite, he “distinguished himself”, “exceptional qualities”.  The key here is that Daniel is serving Yahweh even as he serves Darius.  So the king plans to make him chief of ministers.  As so often in such circles that results in jealousy.

But the others failure to find anything against him just highlights Daniels excellence in service of the king because he is serving God as he does so.  His godliness is well known – the only way to do him down was to engineer a conflict between his service of God and the king, between the law of the Medes and the Persians.

As you read through notice the lie the jealous officials tell the gullible king in verse 7  “…have all agreed…” No they haven’t Daniel was excluded, and Darius is foolish not to have asked about this.  But the Decree once made is irrevocable – for 30 days there is to be no prayer.

The faithful and the fickle (10-18)

The temptation for Daniel in such a situation is the same as for us; compromise. It’s a 30 day ban on prayer, one month out of a life time, it does not say you have to pray to Darius, just that you cannot pray to anyone apart from Darius.  Daniel is not asked to deny his faith outright or to worship idols.  But Daniel's past faithfulness prepares him for this test – 1:8 had Daniel not resolved as he did would he have stood here?

But (v10) Daniel goes straight home and prays as is his custom, he shows no fear, doesn’t alter his pattern, or close window but does “just as he had done before”.  Why does he pray with the window open towards Jerusalem? Daniel had in mind 1 Kings 8:46-53. It is a reminder of who he praying too and the situation he is in.

In his prayer Daniel gives thanks and asks for help – what does Daniel pray about?  I think Daniel 9 which records his prayer prayed in 1st year of Darius, gives us an idea of his prayers.  His prayers are centred on God and his purposes and plans.

Daniel’s prayer life is disciplined and regular, he has peace despite the threat – there is no sense of panic throughout the chapter.  In contrast with Darius who is distressed but is also powerless to rescue Daniel despite making “every effort until sunset."  Daniel's enemies have their teeth into Daniel will not let it go.  The king's powerlessness is emphasised as he is forced to keep his own law and is left to rely on Daniel’s God.  As the Seal is set on the stone there is no doubt in Darius' mind that he is sealing/signing of Daniel’s death warrant.  Yet (v18) In contrast with Daniel’s calmness the kings distress and powerlessness is emphasised again as he paces all night. Better to be Daniel in the lions den than the king in his palace.

3. The King revealed (19-28)

As dawn breaks and the king hurries to the pit it is not with the expectation of salvation (v19-20).  But unlike the king God is powerful, he can do what Darius cannot, his word not Darius’ stands, his purposes not Darius’ will stand.  As Daniel is pulled up from the pit and he explains to Darius that his standing before God mattered more than his standing before the king.

Just as with the three friends smokeless, untainted clothing in chapter 3 verse 23 emphasises the total natural of Daniel’s deliverance.  A miraculous rescue that is further underlines as lions devour advisers and families (Herodotus – such punishment was according to Persian law) and their gods didn’t deliver them.

Verse 26-27 is the final confession of the first half of Daniel and as such is a fitting summary of the first 6 chapters. It is also a bridge into chapters 7-12 where this will be seen again and again.  God is sovereign he rules and reigns and rescues.

Bible Reading: Daniel 5v13-31 'Ultimate Accountability'

"13 So Daniel was brought before the king, and the king said to him, ‘Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah? 14 I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom. 15 The wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this writing and tell me what it means, but they could not explain it. 16 Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems. If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed round your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.’

17 Then Daniel answered the king, ‘You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.

18 ‘Your Majesty, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendour. 19 Because of the high position he gave him, all the nations and peoples of every language dreaded and feared him. Those the king wanted to put to death, he put to death; those he wanted to spare, he spared; those he wanted to promote, he promoted; and those he wanted to humble, he humbled. 20 But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. 21 He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like the ox; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes.

22 ‘But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. 23 Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honour the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways. 24 Therefore he sent the hand that wrote the inscription.

25 ‘This is the inscription that was written:

mene, mene, tekel, parsin

26 ‘Here is what these words mean:

Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.

27 Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.

28 Peres: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.’

29 Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed round his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.

30 That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain, 31 and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two."

The stage is set in v1-12 and in verse 13  as Daniel comes before Belshazzar it is almost as if the king reminds him of his position; that he is an exile, taken from his land, subject to the power and might of the Bablyonian empire.  But, verse 17, Daniel’s motivation isn’t rewards but faithfulness to God and that is seen clearly in his response to the king that is phrased in the form of a rebuke.  Daniel begins by emphasising and exalting the sovereignty of the very one that Belshazzar began the evening mocking as he drank from the cups from the temple.  And the rebuke continues as Daniel teaches the king the lessons of history he should have learnt from the life of Nebuchadnezzar. But the emphasis in Daniel's words is on God not Nebuchadnezzar: “the most high gave…he gave him…he was deposed…he was driven…until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign…”
Then in verse 22-23 the charges begin.  Daniel uses “But…” to draw a clear contrast between Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar...  “you…” emphasises the personal nature of the charge sheet God has against Belshazzar being read out by Daniel.  Hegel once said “the only thing we learn from history is that we have learnt nothing from history”.  That is certainly true of Belshazzar, despite knowing all that had happened to his ancestor, despite having access to that he has learnt none of the lessons.  And that failure leads him to foolishly stand against and mock Yahweh.

It's worth noticing that another theme of the book appears again in verse 23: the stupidity of worshipping idols “which cannot see or hear or understand.” in contrast with God who “holds in his hands your life and all your ways.”

The result of the charge sheet, of sins, is this judgement from God “…he sent the hand…”  The writing reads; Mene = from the verb to number, Tekel = from the verb to weigh or assess, Peres = to divide or to part.  God has weighed Belshazzar found him wanting, numbered his days and is judging and the kingdom will be divided and given to Medes and Persians.

Unlike with Nebuchadnezzar's dream  there is no stump, a warning that we cannot presume on God’s grace.  And verse 30 shows us the immediacy of the judgement – “That very night…” It seems likely that the city was under siege already, and that Belshazzar us holding the feats as a show of his confidence in his strength and defences.  The city was very well protected against siege and had years worth of stores of food.  But Xenophon records the city was taken during a night festival and the king slain.

Chapter 5 reminds us again that God is sovereign and he judges just as he said events change, empires and rulers rise and fall (c/f ch 2 – end of Babylonian empire), but God and his kingdom endure.  Opposition to God is futile, failure to learn the lessons leads to judgement.

Bible Reading: Daniel 5v1-12 'Reading the King's writing'

"King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine with them. 2 While Belshazzar was drinking his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them. 3 So they brought in the gold goblets that had been taken from the temple of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them. 4 As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.

5 Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote. 6 His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his legs became weak and his knees were knocking.

7 The king summoned the enchanters, astrologers and diviners. Then he said to these wise men of Babylon, ‘Whoever reads this writing and tells me what it means will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed round his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.’

8 Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or tell the king what it meant. 9 So King Belshazzar became even more terrified and his face grew more pale. His nobles were baffled.

10 The queen, hearing the voices of the king and his nobles, came into the banquet hall. ‘May the king live for ever!’ she said. ‘Don’t be alarmed! Don’t look so pale! 11 There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners. 12 He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.’"

Chapter 5 is only chapter dealing with Belshazzar and his reign, it's a helpful reminder that Daniel is concerned with recording the big picture of God at work not a chronological history of Babylon.  The events recorded are significant events crucial to God’s kingdom.  So we are not given an explanation of the end of Nebuchadnezzar or of Belshazzar's coming to the throne.

The account of Belshazzar is in contrast to Nebuchadnezzar, whereas Nebuchadnezzar is given various changes and opportunities to turn and to repent in Daniel 5 we see that God judges and Belshazzar is cut off.  However, we must remember that this is just the highlights not all the detail, and Belshazzar as we shall see knew all about God and his dealings with Nebuchadnezzar.  This chapter is hugely significant to Daniel and his friends because it is the fulfilment of Isaiah 47 and God's promise that Babylon will be judged, it reminds them again that God’s word can be trusted.

In verse 1-12 we see Belshazzar's failure tolerant the lessons of history.  Who is Belshazzar?  He is (v1) the king, a descendant of Nebuchadnezzar, the word “Father” (2, 11, 13, 18, 22) means both father and ancestor.  Interestingly in verse 7 he offers Daniel the third place in the kingdom not second.  Scholars say he reigns in place of his Father Nabonidus - who was hated by people.  Anyway Belshazzar is the centre of the court, holding a massive feast as sign of his power and majesty.

But v2-3 Belshazzar is a blasphemer – he sends for the goblets from the temple in Jerusalem, drinking from the holy things in mockery of God.  v4 Belshazzar is idolater. With Yahweh’s temple furnishings in his hands he praises idols.  It's worth noticing again the way idols are described “gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.”  Belshazzar and his courtiers are praising dumb man made idols even as the real living God acts – what a contrast!

And what a shock for Belshazzar when the God he has just been mocking acts in judgement and unsurprisingly Belshazzar is terrified.  As the story is told there are lots of similarities to the events and reactions of previous chapters;  v6 is an echo of chapters 4 and 2 and the dreams given to Nebuchadnezzar, v7 is an echo of actions of Neb in chapters 2 and 4. He is making the same mistakes as Neb.  And in v7 Belshazzar offers a great reward because he is terrified – is the God he has just mocked acting?

Verse 8-9 serve to build the tension in the account as wise men are offered great rewards but not a single one of them can read the writing on the wall. The whole court is baffled, the focus now is not Belshazzar’s greatness but on the conundrum of the writing.  Yet it remains hidden, another echo of chapter 2:28 “there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries…”. This puzzle remains and whilst we are thinking 'why doesn't he send for Daniel?' no one else is until the Queen arrives on the scene.

The (10-12) Queen is probably not his wife but a royal figure in court. She remembers Daniel and her remembering Daniel and lessons of chapters 1-4 puts into greater contrast Belshazzar's failure to do so.  But Daniel seems to be in obscurity, to have been forgotten, he certainly no longer has position he had under Nebuchadnezzar (11).  But his character and actions are remembered by the Queen.  The stage is set as verse 12 fades to black with Belshazzar calling for Daniel.

It's a helpful corrective to potentially wrong thinking.  It's easy to think after reading Chapters 1-4 that standing boldly for God leads to reward.  Daniel and his friends have admittedly faced dangers and even death for their faith and yet each chapter seems to end with them in a better position than before.  But Chapter 5 reminds us that faithful service often goes unnoticed and unrewarded.  Daniel has been in obscurity but has still been faithfully serving God, Go has not forgotten him even if others have.

The other helpful thing we are reminded of here is that God does not forget.  God does not forget either his people or his promises.  Our God is faithful, we can rely on him and his goodness.