LESSONS FROM DANIEL - #5

Kings of Neo-Babylonian Empire:
Nabopolassar 625-605;
(son) Nebuchanezzar 605-562
(son) Evil-merodach 562-560, (2Kgs.25:27,28)
(Nebuch.’s son-in-law) Neriglassar 560-556
(son) Labashi-Marduk 556-556, months of reign
Nabonidus 556-539 (away to Arabia; his son,
Belshazzar, viceroy over Babylon --539)
-- Chapter chronology: 1-4, 7, 8, 5, 6, 9-12
5:1-4 v.1, “king”. 23 yrs. after Neb.’s death
v.2, inebriated, sacrilege, “his father”, orgy
v.3, pride, exhibit physical beauty. Cp. Vashti
v.4, “religious” feast, party. Ridiculous!
5:5-9 v.5, defying king sees supernatural act!
v.6, from beating chest to knocking knees!
v.7, from shouting of orgy to that of terror!
His offer manifests his urgency to know
v.8, Only God reveals what is from God. Car-
nal man (his wisdom) seeks solution in vain
v.9, The princes can’t calm his spirit nor theirs

5:10-12 v.10, queen, widow of Neb.? Unknown Daniel now the most sought-after man!
v.12, Daniel the source of truth (bad news)
5:13-16 v.13, Daniel now some 80 yrs. old
v.14, obliged to consult a man of living God!
v.16, buy w/money what’s needed. Truth/free
5:17-24 v.17, hurt pride! Preach w/o interests
v.18, first a sermon! All due to God, not man
v.20, power/corruption. Pride / fall Prov.16:18
v.21, Neb., no place for God, paid the conseq.
v.22, we must learn from others! Many do not
v.23, profaned vessels, insulted/challenged God. 60’s, “God is dead”. Heb. 4:13
v.24, phenomenon from God. Give account
5:25-28 v.25, counted,counted,weighed,divisions
v.26, last day of life for Belshazzar!
v.27, man must conform to God’s norm, law
v.28, U = and; pharsin = broken, divided
5:29-30 v.29, “third” in what kingdom?
v.30, secular history: Ugbaru killed Belshazzar
v.31, Dario = Gubaru of Media, appt. by Cyrus

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