Scripture to Read: Daniel 5:3–6
In Daniel 5:2, we must note what God’s Word says about Belshazzar. It says Nebuchadnezzar was Belshazzar’s father, though we know he was not. In the 6th century B.C., successive monarchs were often identified as sons. When someone came to the throne, they were often referred to as the son of someone who had occupied the throne long before. So, though some might see this as an error in God’s Word, knowing the history shows there is no error. Now we move to Daniel 5:5, seeing God’s response to Belshazzar’s total disrespect for God. We read in Daniel 5:5, “Suddenly the fingers of a man’s hand emerged and began writing opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace, and the king saw the back of the hand that did the writing.” The significance of the severed hand is this: in the ancient world, a severed hand was a sign of death. After battles, casualty counts were often made by cutting off the right hand of the dead. So, the severed hand represented death. That’s why we read in Daniel 5:6, “Then the king’s face grew pale and his thoughts alarmed him, and his hip joints went slack and his knees began knocking together.” There is coming a day when Christ will return for His church, and many left behind will have the same reaction as Belshazzar. This reminds us why we must share Christ. We must give people the opportunity to choose to fear God now and change their destiny by trusting in Christ as Lord.
Challenge & Application
• Why is it important to not only study God’s Word but to investigate the history of God’s Word?
• We know everyone will face a day of judgment before God; so, how are you helping others be prepared for that day?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!