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September 7, 2024

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Scripture:

DANIEL 7:1-8:27, DANIEL 5:1-31

Integrity and Power

“I am told that you can give interpretations and solve difficult problems. If you can read these words and tell me their meaning, you will be clothed in purple robes of royal honor, and you will have a gold chain placed around your neck. You will become the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”  Daniel answered the king, “Keep your gifts or give them to someone else, but I will tell you what the writing means.” ... Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was dressed in purple robes, a gold chain was hung around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.

Daniel 5:16-17,29

My Takeaways

Something Old

The Queen had to remind Belshazzar about Daniel’s gifts and abilities, which apparently had been forgotten.

Something New

  • History of Belshazzar: “In Daniel 5 he is referred to as the son of Nebuchadnezzar. This conforms with general Semitic usage, in which one's descendant is often referred to as his "son.” Nebuchadnezzar died in 562 BC after a 42-year Reign and was followed by Amel-Marduk, the Evil-Merodach of Jeremiah 52:31 and second Kings 25:27. Evil-Merodach was replaced by Mergal Shar-usar, who reigned from 560 to 556 and was succeeded in turn by Labasi-Marduk, his weak son, who reigned for only a few months and was then overthrown by revolution. One of the conspirators, Nabonidus, then ascended the throne. Though a revolutionary, he was still a man of culture and religious zeal for the gods of Babylon. He is sometimes styled quote “the first world's first archaeologist.” Nabonidus was the last true king of Babylon and the father of Belshazzar. Nabonidus made Belshazzar co-region when he retired to Arabia, presumably to consolidate the weakening empire. This explains Belshazzar's offered reward to Daniel of becoming “the third highest ruler in the kingdom.” The Nabonidus Chronicle was written after the capture of Babylon and 539 BC. Cyrus of Persia claimed that he had been able to take the city without a struggle, going on to describe his leniency toward the population and regarding himself as an “Enlightened Despot” and executioner of the will of the gods. His estimation of the character of Belshazzar was exceedingly low, not at all out of harmony with what is presented in the biblical account.” The Archaeological Study Bible
  • Darius the Mede became king and Daniel remained in his administrator capacity.
  • Daniel was in a very different position in Daniel 6:16-17: So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.” A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel.
  • People with highly sought leadership skills and giftings can become prideful and entitled. These gifts are from God, and do not entitle us to anything. 

Something To Do

Don’t tarnish something sacred. God is the source of our leadership gifts. Seek out a church where leadership is enacted with humility and sacred trust.

A Quick Word

Complete
Mark as Complete

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