“This is the message that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN.” – Daniel 5:25
Today we continue in Daniel 5 where Daniel wastes no time in telling King Belshazzar the meaning of the literal writing on the wall. It said, “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin.” Mene meant the days of his kingdom were few, and, though it took generations to build an empire, God would take it down in mere moments. Tekel meant he’d been “weighed in the balances and found wanting” (v. 27), and Peres or Parsin meant his “kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians” (v. 28). Once again, God isn’t messing around, and “that very night” (v. 30), Belshazzar is killed, and Darius the Mede becomes king.
While this party is taking place, one of the most legendary stories in the history of war is happening outside the city walls. Herodotus, an ancient historian, reports what happens. The party is going on within the walls, and what’s outside the walls? The joint military forces of the Medo-Persian Empire. Babylon thinks they have nothing to worry about and they’ve made their own Heaven on earth, so they throw a party. While they’re drinking and partying, the outside forces are plotting and planning. As their city is under siege, they’re ignoring reality and drinking heavily. Since the Medo-Persians can’t penetrate the wall, they decide to divert the Euphrates River, which runs through the city. When the riverbed dries up, they walk right in under the wall where the river used to be. They walk right in, conquer, and plunder, and everything God promised came to pass.
Some people may have an issue with this chapter and say they can’t worship a God who is so mean, but I would say that’s like a criminal saying they don’t like cops. It’s not the cop’s fault. God is incredibly patient. In Isaiah 13, it prophesies that God will wait 150 years before He overthrows the Chaldeans (Babylonians). How many of you are patient enough to wait with love in your heart for your enemy to repent for 150 years? I’m not shocked that He judged them; I’m shocked He waited so long. Some people ask how a loving God could send people to Hell, but honestly, I’m still perplexed at how He allows sinful people to come to Heaven.
Everyone who dies and stands before the Lord Jesus Christ after hearing about Him is in the same position as the Babylonians. God tells us there’s judgment, Heaven and Hell, and life beyond the grave, and some people either think that’s not true, the Bible can’t be trusted, or they have plenty of time. They feel like they’ve built Heaven on earth, and their riches, strength, and possessions will save them. Babylon was surrounded by a massive wall, and every empire would throw another section of height onto the wall to show that their kingdom was greater. They thought they were impenetrable, undefeatable, and indefensible.
We’re all trying to build Heaven on earth; that’s why we have security systems on our houses, live in gated communities, try to pay off our mortgages, build up our retirement accounts, and fill up our fridges and pantries. We try to get everything we want so we’ll feel secure. It’s not bad to plan or have a house, wealth, or security, but if your plan isn’t ultimately to trust the Lord, you’ve got the wrong plan.
In tomorrow’s devotional, we will look at what we can learn from Daniel’s prayer life.
Do you find more security in your position, wealth, or influence than in God?
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