We usually think of profanity as the type of curse words or dirty words people say. As a verb, to profane is to treat with irreverence or disrespect. As an adjective, it describes irreverence, particularly for the sacred. From a Biblical perspective, use of profanity, or to profane, is a direct offense against Holy God. Profanity is man's intentional or careless attempt to reduce Almighty God to a position of commonness or equality with our own man-made gods, including ourselves.
In Daniel 5, we study King Belshazzar of Babylon. He was either the son or grandson (likely) of Nebuchadnezzar. He had no reverence for God as will be seen in the Biblical account that gave us the expression "the writings on the wall".
Belshazzar and the Party People
Read Daniel 5:1-8
Frequently, when the Bible records a party, bad things happen. (Take Esther 1 as an example.) This case was no different. King Belshazzar's party included a thousand of his nobles and too much alcohol. After getting "liquored up", Belshazzar decided it would be a good idea to use gold and silver vessels created for the temple in Jerusalem as beer steins. (I don't know if they had actual beer or not. LOL.) These vessels were stolen by King Nebuchadnezzar years earlier. One other note about the party's timing: the Persian army was outside Babylon at the time.
In verse 4, to what did the partiers give their praise? Are we too casual in society (or the church) related to the potentially destructive thoughts and behaviors that often occur with being under the influence of alcohol or other substances?
Verses 5 and 6 described the king's reaction when God broke up the party with his "finger". Think about the contrast for Belshazzar and the people to immediately be sobered from their drunken stupor and foolish pride by God's supernatural act.
Bringing the lesson back home to us, what "drunken stupor" are we living in that we need God's supernatural intervention?
Seeking Meaning When You Already Know Deep Down
Read Daniel 5:9-24
In verse 7, all of the King's enchanters, astrologers, and diviners were brought in to interpret the supernatural message. They were baffled.
In verses 10-12, we find a queen with a sound mind. She tells her king of a man with the "spirit of the gods" named Daniel, who had interpreted the dreams and visions of Nebuchadnezzar during his reign. It's so interesting in this passage that they refer to him as Daniel, who his "father had called Belteshazzar". And again, when they speak directly to him to confirm his identity, they call him Daniel. So, after years of captivity in a foreign land, Daniel maintained the distinctiveness of who he was, and his given name. The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
The king offered riches and power to Daniel for the interpretation. Instead, Daniel offered Belshazzar a history lesson. In verses 18-21, Daniel reminds the king of his father: Nebuchadnezzar's God-given kingdom and authority, his self-glorification and pride, and how God humbled Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4).
No Excuse for Belshazzar
Reread Daniel 5:22-24. Daniel pointed out that Belshazzar was completely aware of what had happened to his 'father'. He was also aware of Nebuchadnezzar's pronouncement when he was restored, both mentally and as king.
34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.
His dominion is an eternal dominion;
his kingdom endures from generation to generation.35 All the peoples of the earth
are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
with the powers of heaven
and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
or say to him: “What have you done?”
His dominion is an eternal dominion;
his kingdom endures from generation to generation.35 All the peoples of the earth
are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
with the powers of heaven
and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
or say to him: “What have you done?”
Belshazzar was completely AWARE of the Most High. But he preferred his gods of silver and gold. His actions profaned the Lord Most High. And does God have a sense of humor? Nebuchadnezzar said "No one can hold back his HAND"!
As Christians with the Word of God easily available to us, we are more accountable for what we know and what we have been given. Does that knowledge alarm you? Should it?
Guilty
Read Daniel 5:25-30
Think about the message from God to Belshazzar. (1) Your days are numbered. (2) You have been weighed and found deficient. (3) Your kingdom will be divided. I find part 2 particularly troubling. I wonder when God weighs me on the scale, am I deficient?
Clearly, I would be found lacking. I am lacking. But thanks be to God that Jesus has put his 'finger' on the scale to shift the balance my direction. Just as God's supernatural finger declared Belshazzar lacking. The supernatural finger of Jesus has made me sufficient in Him.
We could never prosper if our good needed to balance or outweigh our bad to enter Heaven. Nebuchadnezzar, in the end, humbled himself. Belshazzar chose to profane the sacred things of God. Like Daniel, will we live out our name, or allow ourselves to be identified by the things of this world?
Will we live victoriously, as described in Revelation 2:17, when those who overcome in Christ will receive a new name?
Lyric video for Writings on the Wall by Stryper.
Concert version.
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