Lesson 9: The Handwriting on the Wall

Daniel 5:1-9

In this lesson we see God’s response to sacrilege and arrogance.

God’s longsuffering and patience are cardinal attributes which reflect His grace and mercy toward sinners. But there is a line beyond which God’s patience runs out - and the king of Babylon crossed that line. To test God’s patience is to invite His sure judgment.

A. THE FEAST OF BELSHAZZAR

1. The Sensuality of the Feast

The party the king threw was in honor of the Babylonian god Bel.

1. The Sacrilege of the Feast

Belshazzar commanded that the items from Solomon’s temple be brought out and used for toasting his pagan gods.

1. The Stupidity of the Feast

Belshazzar is actually celebrating his own funeral, but he doesn’t know it. Prophet Jeremiah had predicted this very thing:

A northern nation would conquer them. Jeremiah 50:1-3, 9

This nation is associated with the Medes. Jeremiah 51:11,28

Babylon is described as in her fortification. Jeremiah 51:53, 58

Her demise would have something to do with the drying up of water. Jeremiah 51:36

This would be accomplished while a great feast was in progress. Jeremiah 51:39

This would be accomplished when Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson was in p[ower. Jeremiah 27:6-7

B. THE FINGER OF GOD

1. The Supernatural Sign

Without warning, the fingers of a man’s hand appeared out of nowhere and began writing a message on the wall of the great hall.

1. The Sobering Significance

In that moment, Daniel says “The king’s countenance changed.”

1. The Simultaneous Summons

Finally, the king gave a simultaneous summons for his “wise men” to decipher the message written on his banquet hall wall. 

C. A MODERN APPLICATION

1. A National Application

Any nation can be judged, just as Babylon was.

1. A Personal Application

What is God writing on each of our hearts? How would any one of us feel if we were to fall into God’s judgment this very night?

1. A Prophetic Application

Today there is a mad pursuit of worldly pleasure in our land. The Bible says a day is coming when God will judge every man because of their wickedness.

1. A Spiritual Application

What was it that brought down Belshazzar? Was it the drunken orgy? The sexuality of the party? The perversity of it all?

No. It was when the king took the holy vessels of God and desecrated them.

Today, if you are a Christian, your body is the temple of God. Are you desecrating it? Are you involved with immorality or corrupting it with drugs or alcohol or nicotine? God will not honor that. You are inviting His judgment.