In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Belshazzar was greatly troubled because he saw a hand writing on the wall, and when his wise men were unable to tell him what the writing said or meant, he called for Daniel who said, “this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it. TEKEL; You are weighed in the balances, and are found wanting. PERES; Your kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians”, and in chapter five and verse twenty-nine of his book, Daniel told how King Belshazzar gave him, “scarlet clothing, a gold necklace and to be the third ruler in Babylon” where we read,
Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
The verse reads, “Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, …” Daniel began with the words, “then commanded Belshazzar” or “at that time and on that account spoke, related and ordered Belshazzar whose name means ‘Bel protect the king’”, “and they clothed Daniel” which means “and they, Belshazzar’s servants, arrayed Daniel whose name means God is my judge” “with scarlet” or “by the use of red-purple or purple garments”, “and put a chain of gold” which means “and placed and set a necklace made with gold metal” “about his neck” or “surrounding his, Daniel’s, physical neck”. Daniel shared how King “Belshazzar” gave the directive to array “Daniel” in purple garments and to place a golden necklace around his “neck”.
The verse continues, “… and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.” Daniel added the words, “and made a proclamation” which means “and heralded, proclaimed and declared a decree, order, edict and command” “concerning him” or “about, regarding and relevant to him, Daniel”, “that he should be the third ruler” which means “that he, Daniel, was to exist as one-third master, authority and reign” “in the kingdom” or “within the royal reign and kingly authority”. Daniel shared how King “Belshazzar” gave an order that he was to be one-third authority within the royal realm of Babylon.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how King “Belshazzar” adorned him with purple garments, placed a golden necklace on him and ordered that he be established as the “third master” within the realm of Babylon. Daniel told King “Belshazzar” to keep his gifts, but he allowed his rewards anyway. God put Daniel in a place of authority with special gifts of interpretation because He not only would use Daniel in this situation, but also in circumstances to come. God wants all of us to be in a personal relationship with Him like Daniel, and when we surrender our lives to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the grave after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us gifts to use in His Kingdom by the power of His Holy Spirit.
Next time Daniel says, “in that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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