Daniel 5-6

 Homiletics                                                       Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    05                                                     Passage:    Daniel 5-6

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Arrogance and Pride judged - Feast, Fingers, Fear (Daniel 5:1-17) 1.  King Belshazzar’s banquet for thousands of nobles drinking wine (1) 2. Goblets brought in and used taken from temple in Jerusalem praising their gods (2-4) 4. Fingers appear writing on wall causing king to fear (5-6) 5. Kings wise men can’t interpret causing increased fear with a promise of reward (7-9) 6. Queen enters banquet hall; saying what’s your problem. Your father knew Daniel’s characteristics and capabilities; call him for the meaning (10-12) 7. Daniel brought before king; where king declares wise can’t interpret writings, but heard you, from Judah, can solve difficult problems. (13-15) 8. King promises a reward of purple clothes, gold chain and third highest ruler (16) 9. Daniel refuses reward but will read and interpret writing (17)

Castigation declared - Father, Failure, Findings (Daniel 5:18-31) 1. Daniel shares God’s provision for Nebuchadnezzar (18-19) 2. Daniel describes God’s chastisement of Nebuchadnezzar (20-21a) 3. Nebuchadnezzar restored as he acknowledged God’s sovereignty(21b) 4. Belshazzar failed to knowledge God setting yourself up against God did not honor Him. (22-23) 5. Inscription translated: (24-28) a. Mene – number of days of your reign b. Tekel – weighed on scales and found wanting. c. Peres – Kingdom is divided and given to Medes and Persians 6. Belshazzar’s reward to Daniel (29) 7. Belshazzar’s punishment – slain and Darius the Mede took over kingdom (30-31)

God protects – Deception, Den, Declared (Daniel 6) 1. Darius ruling organization outlined (1-2) 2. Daniel’s distinguished qualities cause Darius to plan to set him up over kingdom (3) 3. Administrators/satraps look for charges against Daniel and find none (4-5) 4. Administrators deceptive plot for king to give unalterable written decree regarding prayer only to Mede or Persian god; penalty lion’s den (6-9) 5. Daniel learns of decree and prays 3 times a day for help (10) 6. Daniel found praying and it’s reported to king (11-12) 7. Daniel identified to king as one breaking command (13) 8. King in distress tries to save Daniel (14) 9. King pressured to throw Daniel in lion’s den and give order (15-17) 10. King has restless night gets up, hurries to den where Daniel points to God as savior (18-22) 11. Daniel released and false accusers consumed meeting Lyons (23-24) 12. Daniel’s God declared living God (25-28)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Arrogance and Pride judged - Feast, Fingers, Fear	Daniel 5:1-17
Castigation declared - Father, Failure, Findings	Daniel 5:18-31
God protects – Deception, Den, Declared	Daniel 6

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Belshazzar denigrates and judged; Daniel’s den salvation declares God’s hand

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL prideful arrogance can lead to destruction, while humble submission brings glory to God

Application Questions

Where do you stretch the bounds?  What attitude needs to change?

What truths you’ve experienced that need focus to reflect God in you?

How do you allow God’s hand to bring glory to Him? In what ways would your increased humility point to Jesus?

Principles to Remember           

Pride can lead to destruction

Humility recognizes God’s hand

Joy comes through faithful trust

Characteristic of God

Protection

Theme

Daniel boldly declares “humility before Lord” to Belshazzar and is protected through the Lion’s den, bringing glory to God