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 not able to tell him what the writing said or what it meant, he said, “let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation. Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spoke and said unto Daniel, Are you that Daniel, which are of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? I have even heard of you, that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in you. And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not show the interpretation of the thing”, and in chapter five and verse sixteen of his book Daniel shared how King Belshazzar told Daniel, “I have heard of you, that you can make interpretations” where we read,
And I have heard of you, that you can make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if you can read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, you shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
The verse reads, “And I have heard of you, that you can make interpretations, and dissolve doubts:” Daniel began with the words, “and I have heard of you” or “and I, King Belshazzar, have audibly heard about you, Daniel”, “that you can make interpretations” which means “that you, Daniel, are able to produce and put together renderings and meanings”, “and dissolve doubts” or “and loosen and unload problems, difficulties and riddles”. Daniel shared how King Belshazzar told him that he “heard” that Daniel was able to produce renderings and to loosen riddles.
The verse goes on to say, “now if you can read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, …” Daniel continued with the words, “now if you can read the writing” which means “at this time whether and in case you, Daniel, are able and capable of reading the engraving or inscription on the wall”, “and make known to me” or “and reveal, expose and inform me, King Belshazzar about” “the interpretation thereof” which means “the rendering or meaning of the inscription” “the following will happen. Daniel shared how King Belshazzar presented him with the idea of whether and in case he was able to read the writing on the wall and tell him what it meant, the following would happen.
Finally the verse says, “… you shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” Daniel concluded this verse with the words, “you shall be clothed with scarlet” or “you, Daniel, will be arrayed within garments made with red-purple or purple material”, “and have a chain of gold” which means “and possess and own a necklace fashioned with gold metal” “about your neck” or “surrounding your, Daniel’s, physical neck”, “and shall be the third ruler” which means “and will exist as the one-third of the power, mastery and domineering” “in the kingdom” which means “within the royal realm and reign in Babylon”. Daniel ended this verse by sharing how King Belshazzar promised Daniel that if He read and interpreted the writing on the wall, he would be adorned with purple garments, receive a necklace made with gold and exist as the “third” master and ruler over the kingdom of Babylon.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover once again through Daniel how his reputation preceded him. King Belshazzar “heard” that Daniel was able to produce meanings and remove difficulties and riddles, so he promised Daniel that he would be arrayed in royal purple garments, be adorned with a golden necklace and become one-third of the leadership who ruled over Babylon. (King Belshazzar and his father were the other two leaders.) These gifts and positions may have impressed and motivated many people, but we shall see how Daniel responds in our next verse. God wants us to be used in His Kingdom according to His gifts and plans, and when we receive His Son Jesus as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us spiritual gifts through His Holy Spirit that will be used in His Kingdom wherever and whenever He chooses.
Next time Daniel shares how Daniel tells King Belshazzar, “let your gifts be to yourself”, 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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