Pictures from The Bible Visualized by the World Video Bible School

Lessons from Nebuchadnezzar

Lessons from Nebuchadnezzar1. Despite our efforts or doubts, it is God that is in control

(Daniel 4:17, 26, 34-37). The visions and prophecies of Daniel were given to comfort

the Jews because God is in control. Men have long exalted themselves, but God is able to humble

those who walk in pride.

2. Avoid Sin Romans 12:9-13, 1 Corinthians 10:6, Psalm 34:14, Zechariah

7:10, 2 Corinthians 13:7

3. Practice Righteousness 1 Peter 3:8-12, Psalm 37:27, Hebrews 13:16, Amos 5:14

4. Help the Needy Matthew 19:21, Psalm 41:1, Proverbs 14:21, 19:17, 28:27

Daniel 5

THE SETTING OF DANIEL CHAPTER 5—

King BelshazzarReigned in Babylon And Had Been King About 17 Years.

DanielWas Now A Very Old Man.

He Had Been In Babylon For 70 Years.

About 2 years before these events in chapter 5 Cyrus King of Persia fought against Belshazzar, and the Babylonian army retreated inside the city wall of Babylon. Though trapped they were secure and even had 20 years of provisions. In the second year of the siege Cyrus conquered the city, and Babylon fell.

King Belshazzar was not troubled in the least that the city was under siege. He made a riotous, idolatrous, sacrilegious feast. He called for the sacred vessels of gold and silver which his father, Nebuchadnezzar, had stripped from the temple in Jerusalem. He drank wine to heathen gods from these vessels.

THE

HANDWRITING

ON THE WALL

Daniel 5

“5In the same hour came forth fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king’s palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.”

BELSHAZZAR’S KNEES SHOOK WITH FEAR.

Daniel 5

“6Then the king’s countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.”

Daniel 5

“7The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. 8Then came in all the king’s wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.”

THE QUEEN CAME BEFORE BELSHAZZARand recommended Daniel the Prophet of God.

DANIEL CAME BEFORE KING BELSHAZZARBelshazzar promised Daniel riches and advancement.

BELSHAZZAR’S SIN OF PRIDE

BELSHAZZAR SLAIN

Lessons from Belshazzar1. Have self-control. (2 Peter 1:5-7)

2. Don’t ignore the simple lessons of God that we know, or should know. (Daniel 5:22)

3. God has numbered our days. Our days are numbered as well. (Psalm 90:9-10)

4. Judgment is coming, and God will judge us based on our deeds. (Hebrews 9:27, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

5. Punishment is coming to those who don’t “weigh up”. (Matthew 7:21, 2 Thess. 1:8)