Bad Calls

A “bad call” is an idiom for a poor decision or idea. In the world of sports, a bad call is an informal term used to describe a referee decision (or “call”) that was an obvious error and often radically impacts the result of a game. For example, in the 17 December 2017 game against the New England Patriots, the Pittsburgh Steelers felt they got robbed on a controversial non-catch call. 

In the final two minutes of the game, Steelers tight end Jesse James dove into the end zone for what would have been a game-winning touchdown, in a crucial matchup to determine the leading team for the playoffs. But a controversial replay review overturned the touchdown, resulting in much confusion thereafter regarding the NFL’s ruling. Everyone agreed the call changed the final momentum of the game.

Officiating in the NFL has been one of the leading storylines in recent seasons due to obvious inconsistencies. Referees have become the repeated topic of conversation for a plethora of questionable calls. Much displeasure has been expressed regarding less than acceptable officiating, even to the degree that the NFL is considered rigged in favor of teams that referees want to win. According to coaches and executives, the abundance of bad calls indicates a system that needs major renovation.

Belshazzar had a series of bad calls—not related to officiating; rather, wrongs involving his alleged sovereignty. He made a bad call when he determined to hold a great feast when enemy armies were surrounding Babylon (Dan 5:1). Belshazzar also made a bad call in profaning the holy name of God, when “he gave orders to bring the gold and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem” (v. 2). He made another bad call when he summoned the incapable “conjurers, the Chaldeans and the diviners” to interpret the cryptic inscription on the palace wall (v. 7). His final bad call was not repenting when Daniel interpreted the handwriting (vv. 13-31).

THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL
(Dan 5:1-12) A quarter of a century elapsed between the events of Daniel 4 and chapter 5. During those years, additional revelations were given to Daniel, which are recorded in chapters 7 (cf. v. 1) and 8 (cf. v. 1). The identity of “Belshazzar the king” (5:1) has been debated for decades. When he died in 562 BC, Nebuchadnezzar son’s Evil-Merodach (also known as Amel-Marduk) ascended the throne of Babylon. But he was murdered two years later by his brother-in-law Neriglissar, who then reigned briefly until he died of natural causes in 556 BC. His son Labashi-Marduk succeeded him, but was assassinated less than a year into his reign as king.

Nabonidus seized the throne in 556 BC, and reigned until 29 October 539, when the events recorded in Daniel 5 occurred. He was a military man and preferred the lifestyle of a field soldier, as opposed to reigning as king in the megalopolis of Babylon. He permitted his son Belshazzar to rule with him as co-regent. Nabonidus resided in Tema, Arabia while Belshazzar occupied the throne in the capital city.

The number of those in attendance at the feast (“the thousand”) is unextraordinary in comparison to the historical context. Nabodinus was fighting the Persians yet was already captured, and the forces of the united Medes and Persians were already poised outside Babylon, prepared to conquer the city. There are several suggestions as to why Belshazzar “held a great feast” at this time. Perhaps his attitude was Epicurean: “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” Another idea is that the king believed the colossal fortifications and walls would protect the city indefinitely from any invaders. What is more likely is that Belshazzar was oblivious to the fact that the city was soon to be invaded, because history records that the Persian army conquered the city by stealth.

Belshazzar was certainly arrogant and riotous, and obviously loved his wine and revelry. His first act of arrogance was to profane the name of God by tampering with the sacred vessels of the Temple in Jerusalem, to celebrate and worship the Babylonian gods (vv. 2-4). The revelry at the feast was defiance and idolatry toward the living God. The king’s arrogance would soon result in him knowing by direct experience that “the King of heaven … is able to humble those who walk in pride” (4:37).

In the midst of the great feast and festivities, God abruptly gave a message to the assembled guests through a most unusual source. Suddenly, “a man’s hand emerged and began writing opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall” (5:5). Rightly so, Belshazzar was terrified, and not one of his staff could read or make known the inscription, which was to the king’s great alarm (vv. 6-9). Eventually, the queen entered the hall, and she reminded the king that there was a man in his kingdom who assisted Nebuchadnezzar with “an extraordinary spirit, knowledge and insight,” and Daniel would “declare the interpretation” if summoned (vv. 10-12).

THE HANDWRITING EXPLAINED
(Dan 5:13-31) “Then Daniel was brought in before the king,” and questioned as to whether he was indeed the same individual who assisted Nebuchadnezzar to understand things difficult (vv. 13-16). The promise of authority and reward in the kingdom was extended to Daniel, yet the prophet indicated his lack of interest in the offer (for he was content to be God’s servant). Nevertheless, he would interpret the inscription (v. 17). Prior to that explanation, Daniel took the opportunity to review his personal history with Nebuchadnezzar (vv. 18-21), and particularly how God removed the king from his throne because of his arrogance. The lesson from Nebuchadnezzar’s experience is “that the Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind and that He sets over it whomever He wishes” (v. 21; 4:17).

Belshazzar manifested the same arrogance that Nebuchadnezzar previously displayed (vv. 22-23). Although he knew the history of the previous king, Belshazzar was not humbled by that reality. He was honoring gods that did not exist, and not glorifying the living God, in whose power was the authority and life of the king.

The inscription on the wall contained four words: “mene, mene, tekel, upharsin,” which in Aramaic can be translated literally as, “it has been counted and counted, weighed and divided.” The first word mene has the idea of numbering. God was in the process of judging the kingdom of Belshazzar. The repetition of the word was probably for emphasis.

Tekel means “weighed” and implies that the king was placed in a balance scale and found lacking in true substance. Belshazzar’s kingdom was in the process of judgment to determine if it could be measured to God’s standard. Upharsin means divided (u is equivalent to the English word “and,” while pharin is the plural of peres); it is the present tense form of the verb. Belshazzar’s kingdom was being divided because of his arrogance. Daniel changed the tense of the verb in Aramaic to a perfect tense, peres (v. 27), indicating that the kingdom was already divided. The Medes and the Persians would fulfill the prophecy as they invaded the city (v. 28). Isaiah and Jeremiah already prophesied that Babylon would fall to the Medes and Persians (Isa 13:17-22; 21:1-10; 45:1-7; Jer 51:33-58).

Belshazzar rewarded Daniel but his actions were meaningless, since the position would not endure the night (Dan 5:29-31). Belshazzar “was slain” the very night of the writing on the wall (v. 30), and the great city of Babylon fell to the Medes and the Persians, who were led by the man identified in verse 31 as “Darius the Mede.” The identity of Darius is uncertain, since he is only known as “the Mede” in the Bible; all the arguments concerning his identity are based upon relatively scarce factual material.

Daniel 5 reveals how a righteous God judges debauchery and idolatry. God holds all people accountable! The mighty God continues to work His plans for humanity. The historicity of chapter 5 is important to the development of the book of Daniel, and should not be neglected. However, the occurrence of events within the kingdom of Belshazzar illustrates future historical events. For instance, it is entirely possible that Daniel 5 (in addition to the other chapters) will give tremendous encouragement to believers in the future, who find they are enduring great persecution.

There are several lessons to be discerned from Daniel 5. (1) The Gentile world powers will have dominance over Israel. (2) The Gentile world ruler will have great arrogance in his ability. (3) God is in control of all things, including the life and ways of humanity. (4) The Gentile world powers will be judged in rapid succession when God’s revelation occurs. (5) And, just as Babylon was conquered with haste, so will the world be when the Day of the Lord occurs (1 Thess 5:1-3). However, God’s people are not in darkness that the day should overtake them, but are to be sober minded concerning these things (vv. 4-6).

Midnight Call - 10/2024