We can all be stupid at times. It’s just part of being
human. Stupid comes in different forms: from staying up late with friends and
being goofy, to ignoring deadlines and failing to study for a test, to allowing
peer pressure to compel us to do something we normally wouldn’t do – like jump
off the bridge.
Conditions that affect our ability to be wise stupidity are
sleep patterns, dietary decisions, workload, company we keep, faith, stress
levels, circumstances and substances we consume. The way we feel affects the
decisions we make. If our body is not taken care of properly, i.e. lack of sleep,
dehydration, hunger, etc., it will affect the level of wisdom we use or not. When
we go through extremely stressful circumstances, like moving, the death of
someone close, sickness, it affects our decisions. When we hang out with a group,
it affects the decisions we make.
At the root of our stupidity, we tend to find our arrogance
and pride. We want to save face in front of our friends, so we do something
stupid only to regret it later. We don’t want to admit we were wrong, so we
continue to follow the wrong path hoping it will get better, which it never
does.
A Special Kind of
Stupid
We all know what it is like to be stupid at times, we can
laugh or nod our heads with compassion and understanding about many stupid
things, because we’ve been there too. However, there are some instances that
you just shake your head and wonder “how can you be so dumb?”
In Daniel 5 we open up to a story where you have to just
shake your head and wonder, “what in the world was he thinking?” I’m talking about
king Bleshazzar, not Daniel. Read the chapter and you’ll see.
Well there are a few things that aren’t transparent in the
chapter, but we can gather from historical record. Nebuchadnezzar has passed away.
His kingdom has already changed hands three times by the time Nabonidas takes
over. Nabonidas isn’t mentioned in the text, but he was the king of Babylon and
the father of Belshazzar. For the last 10 years of his reign, Nabonidas left
Babylon and made Belshazzar his co-regent. This explains why Belshazzar offered
Daniel the third position in the kingdom, not the 2nd.
The context of our story this week takes place during the advancement
of the Medo-Persian empire. The Persian army has just defeated Nabonidas, yet
his life was spared, outside of Babylon
and is advancing on the city. Belshazzar thinks he is safe within the city walls
and is celebrating either an annual festival or his growth in power now that
his father has been taken captive.
Either reason seems to be foolish. The Medes and the
Persians are surrounding your city, your father has been taken captive and you
throw a party, sounds pretty stupid. Babylon did have superior walls and the
Euphrates river did run through the city, which would mean food and water would
be available for the long haul. However, with his country being taken over, you
would think a wise ruler would gather, not for a party, but for planning on how
to defend his homeland.
What we see is that Belshazzar was blinded by power and
pride. This was a big time party and the who’s who of Babylon were there. As Belshazzar
began to drink, he became bolder and less inhibited. He called for the sacred instruments
from the Jewish temple that Nebuchadnezzar brought back from his conquest
almost 70 years earlier. It would seem that they were respected up until this
point and Belshazzar used them for his party and guest.
As they used the sacred Jewish cups, intended only for the
use in the Temple of the One true God, they became drunk and worshiped their
pagan gods.
Dangers of Drunkenness
Before we continue on, let’s pause and consider Belshazzar’s
example.
Proverbs 31:4–5
It is not for kings, O
Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, lest
they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the
afflicted.
The book of Proverbs counsels kings not to get caught up in
drinking alcohol, which could cause them to be stupid and adversely affect
those whom they are leading. Belshazzar did not heed these words.
Alcohol is a tricky topic. Our culture wants to push it on
us and caters to our pride. The coolest Superbowl commercials are typically
beer commercials. Movies and TV shows present partying as the thing to do. All
of us have a drive deep within to fit in to the crowd, but the crowd gets
stupid real quick.
I believe it is up to your parents to teach you the proper
understanding of alcohol consumption and I recognize that each family might have
a different take on the position we as Christians should hold. Some will hold
to complete abstinence, i.e. no alcohol, and some will say moderation. In all
cases, an awareness of the dangers of alcohol and drunkenness should be known.
I would encourage you to have conversations about alcohol and other substances
with your parents or kids.
We don’t have time tonight to do a complete study on the
topic, but some things to consider from God’s Word:
Ephesians 5:18
And do not get drunk
with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
A direct command, don’t get drunk. Drunkenness causes you to
lose control of your thinking and actions. You will do stupid things, like
Belshazzar, and it will be harmful. The principle we get from this verse is to not
allow any substance to control us, not alcohol, not weed, not drugs of any
form, etc. Instead, we need to be empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:19–21
Now the works of the
flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery,
enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,
envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you
before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
God’s view of drunkenness is evident as it is a sin listed amongst
the work of the flesh. This means it is not consistent with the Christian life,
it is a sin in opposition of God.
In review, God’s Word warns leaders that alcohol can cause
them to make bad decisions that will hurt others. God prohibits alcohol, or any
other substance, from controlling the believer, but rather they should be controlled
by the Holy Spirit. Abuse of alcohol is listed amongst other sins that are not
consistent with the Christian life and have no part in God’s plan.
The dangers of alcohol for the Christian is that it can draw
them away from God if it is abused. It can create a distance and disruption in
their faith and their communion with the Holy Spirit.
There are also dangers alcohol brings for students that we
learn from science. For instance, do you think the drinking age of 21 makes sense?
Most people who end up being abuser of alcohol begin
drinking under the age of 20. One of the biggest reasons is that a person’s
brain is still being developed into their early 20s. The earlier alcohol is
introduced into the system the more likely it will hardwire their brain to
abuse alcohol. It really does affect the physiological development of a teenager.
As a youth pastor, I want to encourage you to be wise with
your choices. Begin with the Bible and understand what God’s Word says. Look
for the warnings and commandments straight from God. Seek to be biblical with
your understanding of substances, even when it is the unpopular view.
One commandment is to obey your parents. Not only should you
look in God’s Word about what it says about alcohol, but you should have
conversations with your parents and understand their guidelines. In order to
please God, you are to obey your parents rules in the Lord.
Think long term. How are you choices today going to affect
your future? You might have fun for one party, but what happens next? Think
holiness. You might miss out on a few parties, but it will be worth it to be an
example of Christ to others.
The Hand Writing On
the Wall
Shortly after the sacred Jewish vessels were used to get
drunk with, Belshazzar saw something that scared him sober. He was deeply
affected and lost control of his body out of fear.
A Hand from heaven wrote on the plaster of the wall.
Belshazzar saw the hand write the words in Aramaic, “numbered, numbered,
weighed and divided.” He had no idea what it meant and called for his wise men
to interpret. He offered the 3rd spot in his kingdom to anyone who
could give him the interpretation. None
of them could do this.
His mother came in and said to Belshazzar that one of
Nebuchadnezzar’s wise men was still around and his name is Daniel. Daniel had
the ability to interpret dreams, maybe he could interpret this writing.
He summoned Daniel and identified him as one of the Jewish exiles
brought by Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar’s grandfather. He promised him gifts if
he could interpret the writing.
Remember the Past
Daniel refused the gifts of the king and gave Belshazzar a
history lesson. He reminded him of Nebuchadnezzar’s, the greatest king in Babylon
history, fall into insanity before he humbled himself and acknowledged God.
“You should have known better, Belshazzar, knowing who your
grandfather was, knowing what the God of Heaven taught him. Yet here you are
mocking the God of Heaven by using His sacred instruments in drunken worship of
pagan gods. Yet you have not honored the only God who holds your breath in his
hands.” Daniel said these things before interpreting the words.
The meaning of the words, “your days have been numbered and
your kingdom has come to an end. You have been weighed in the balances and
found wanting. Your kingdom will be divided and given to the Medes and the
Persians.
An Empty Reward
Upon giving the interpretation, Belshazzar put the royal
robes on Daniel and bestowed upon him the title of 3rd in the kingdom.
Even though Daniel refused them earlier, he allows it to happen knowing that it
was a meaningless reward.
That very night, the Medio-Persian army redirected the river
Euphrates and walked into Babylon under the walls. They invaded the city that
was left unattended because they were partying, walked into the hall and killed
Belshazzar.
A life ruled by arrogance and pride came to a sad end.
Stupid choices and failure to learn from the past led to blasphemy and judgement.
Two Examples
If we were to look at Belshazzar and learn from his example,
we would learn a lot about what not to do. Don’t celebrate the captivity of
your father because you get more power. Don’t assume upon the strength of your city.
Don’t get drunk and party. Don’t worship pagan gods. Don’t disrespect the one
true God.
However, he did obey his mother in calling Daniel. That is
one good thing, listen to your mom’s counsel!
Daniel on the other hand is near the end of his life. We
have been learning about him since he was a teenager some 60 years earlier. Now
he is an old man and he has been forgotten about. He is no longer in the prominent
position he was under Nebuchadnezzar. Yet we see he has remained faithful in
his love for God. He hasn’t lost his boldness to communicate God’s truth to another
king.
Daniel’s Love for God has directed his entire life. It began
with a decision as a teenager and he has remained faithful ever since. His love
for God led him to make decisions that could have affected his life, and yet
God honored him. His love for God led him to make good friendships that
impacted his life and helped him remain faithful. He love for God compelled him
to communicate to guards and kings about the One true God.
Learn from Daniel, learn to be committed to your love for
Jesus. Allow your love for Jesus to shape who your friends are and the
decisions you make. As you grow in your love for Jesus you will be confident to
communicate the way Daniel did too.
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