Daniel 5:13-24

So Daniel was brought in before the king. The king asked him, "Are you Daniel, one of the exiles brought from Judah by my predecessor, King Nebuchadnezzar? (see Daniel 1:1-6, 2:25) I have heard that you have the spirit of the gods within you and that you are filled with insight, understanding, and wisdom. My wise men and enchanters have tried to read the words on the wall and tell me their meaning, but they cannot do it. (see Isaiah 47:12, Daniel 5:8) I am told that you can give interpretations and solve difficult problems. if you can read these words and tell me their meaning, you will be clothed in purple robes of royal honor, and you will have a gold chain placed around your neck. You will become the third highest ruler in the kingdom." (see Genesis 40:8)

 

Daniel answered the king, "Keep your gifts or give them to someone else, but I will tell you what the writing means. (see 2 Kings 5:16) Your Majesty, the Most High God gave sovereignty, majesty, glory, and honor to your predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar. (see Jeremiah 27:5-7, Daniel 2:36-38, 4:2, 17) He made him so great that people of all races and nations and languages trembled before him in fear. He killed those he wanted to kill and spared those he wanted to spare. He honored those he wanted to honor and disgraced those he wanted to disgrace. (see Proverbs 16:14, Daniel 2:12, 3:6, 11:3) But when his heart and mind were puffed up with arrogance, he was brought down from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. (see Exodus 9:15-17, Isaiah 14:13-15, Jeremiah 13:18, Daniel 4:30, Luke 18:9-14) He was driven from human society. He was given the mind of a wild animal, and he lived among the wild donkeys. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he learned that the Most High God rules over the kingdoms of the world and appoints anyone he desires to rule over them. (see Exodus 9:14-16, Psalm 83:17-18, Ezekiel 17:24)

 

"You are his successor, O Belshazzar, and you knew all this, yet you have not humbled yourself. (see Exodus 10:3, 2 Chronicles 33:23, 36:12-13) For you have proudly defied the Lord of heaven and have had these cups from his Temple brought before you. You and your nobles and your wives and concubines have been drinking wine from them while praising gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone--gods that neither see nor hear nor know anything at all. But you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny!" (see 2 Kings 14:10, Job 12:9-10, Jeremiah 10:23-25, 50:29, Daniel 5:3-4, Habakkuk 2:18-19 

 

(parentheses are mine)

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.