Hi Faith Family,
What is the wildest and wackiest your day has been so far? I had a Panini sandwich for lunch, and that was pretty “out there” for me. Our day to day lives usually advance without tremendous fanfare. What a contrast to so many events recorded in Scripture!
There are such amazing events recorded in your Bible! King Belshazzar’s wine and cheese party is a classic example. In the book of Daniel, chapter 5, we find the Epicurean king in a wild wine party, gargling from golden goblets and bowls that once graced the temple in Jerusalem. They toasted gods of gold and silver until the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall. The king’s face turned pale as he watched and he was so frightened that his knees knocked together and his legs gave way!
What an incredible event! Like dad flipping on the light in the basement where the teens were sneaking a beer and making out, God’s message delivered by the image of a human hand swiftly swiped away the party spirit. Here for all to see in that plaster: Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin.
Grab your secret decoder ring, kids! Ask the astrologer, enchanters, and diviners you knee-knocking king! He did, but got no answers. His nobles were baffled. His experts struck out. His face got even more pale.
The queen remembered Daniel who she thought had the power of the gods in him. In came Daniel, out came the gifts to bribe him to tell the tale of the finger-written words. Daniel told the cadaverous king that he could keep his gifts. Daniel gave anemic ruler a family history lesson: Belshazzar’s dad, Nebuchadnezzar had an impressive kingdom, but was arrogant and did not acknowledge God. So God took away Neb’s rule, regalia, and rightness of mind. Neb lived like an animal in the wild for a while, and only when he acknowledged God did he return to his seat and scepter.
But like the Vietnamese proverb says, “Rau nao Sau nay” “For every plant there is a worm.” The idea is also contained in the American proverb, “Like father like son.” Apparently, this life-changing lesson from Daddy Neb never made it’s way into the stubborn, now pallid dome of son Belshazzar. Such disrespect to God’s honor and the special use items once used to glorify God in the Jerusalem temple brought God’s judgment, and that right soon. Daniel interpreted this message from God:
Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.
Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.
Peres: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.
That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was killed and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom at the age of 62.
What can we learn from this amazing account?
1) God is not mocked. God will judge those who care nothing about God and his will and word. In addition, whatever is not pleasing to God in our lives is to be removed. We pray for God’s correction in our lives for whatever entangles our race-running to His glory.
2) Don’t be an “azzer” or an “ezzer” Both kings, father and son above, failed to acknowledge God. We can make this a good habit, even in casual conversation. I was in a meeting at a Management Company discussing rental agreement options, yet was given an opportunity to acknowledge God’s blessing on our congregation. We can do this with health issues, blessings, challenges—in all things acknowledging the God who pours out blessings and also guides us through life’s challenges. Don’t be an ezzer.
3) The Bible is totally cool. Take a tour through some of the awesome accounts of the Old Testament and review your Bible History. You will be reminded of same amazing events. The writers’ strike in Hollywood won’t matter because you have access to true life events involving: sanguine sibling rivalry, humans older than Larry King & Keith Richards’ ages combined, a massive family woodworking project, deluge destruction, urban Valhalla ala heavenly lava, from water-baby to sizzling shrub, golden Kool-Aid, air-dropped toast, and snakes on a plain bronze pole. I can’t believe there aren’t more movies made about these things! Maybe after the writers’ strike. The Bible is so cool.
4) When you need answers, go to God. The queen remembered, Daniel displayed the fact that God has the answers. We are blessed when we direct our searches first and best to our loving God. The search for forgiveness, a full and meaningful life, as well as life that doesn’t end—the search for all these leads us to God and his love for us—for you—in Jesus.
God bless you today and always, as God rewards your searches directed first and best to him.
Prayer idea: help in acknowledging God in everyday conversations, pray for someone you know does not acknowledge God right now, thank God for his patience displayed in your life.
Challenge: e-mail me back to decipher each Old Testament account referenced in point 3) above. A prize goes to the first person who successfully deciphers every one correctly.
Blessing on your week!
Pastor Dan