Context No. 3791 of 4322 · Daniel (Greek)
Context · Reflection
Daniel (Greek) 5:13-17: in context
13Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Judah? 14I have heard of you, that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light, understanding, and excellent wisdom are found in you. 15Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me to read this writing, and make known to me its interpretation; but they could not show the interpretation of the thing. 16But I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and dissolve doubts. Now if you can read the writing, and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold around your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” 17Then Daniel answered the king, “Let your gifts be to yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation.
Brought before King Belshazzar to interpret the mysterious writing on the wall, Daniel is offered rich rewards: purple robes, a gold chain, the third place in the kingdom. But before he says a word of interpretation, Daniel makes something clear: let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king and make known the interpretation.
He will speak God's truth, but he will not be bought. There is quiet integrity here worth admiring. Daniel is willing to serve, willing to deliver God's message, but he refuses to let the promise of reward have any hold on what he says. His message will be the same whether or not there is a payment, and by refusing the gifts up front, he makes plain that he is not for hire and cannot be swayed. When we must speak difficult truth, especially to those who could reward or punish us, Daniel shows the way: to hold God's truth so firmly that no gift and no threat can bend it, speaking faithfully without being bought.
When I must speak difficult truth to those who could reward or punish me, do I hold God's truth so firmly that no gift and no threat can bend what I say?
Sources
- Daniel 5:17: "Let your gifts be to yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation."
- Daniel 5:16: "I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and dissolve doubts."
- Daniel 5:14: "Light, understanding, and excellent wisdom are found in you."