Daniel (Greek) 5:7-12: a reflection

7The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke and said to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing and shows me its interpretation shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” 8Then all the king’s wise men came in; but they could not read the writing and couldn’t make known to the king the interpretation. 9Then King Belshazzar was greatly troubled. His face was changed in him, and his lords were perplexed. 10The queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house. The queen spoke and said, “O king, live forever; don’t let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your face be changed. 11There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, light, understanding, and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him. The king, Nebuchadnezzar, your father—yes, the king, your father—made him master of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and soothsayers 12because an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting of dreams, showing of dark sentences, and dissolving of doubts were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.”

When mysterious writing appears on the wall of Belshazzar's palace, the king summons all his wise men, the enchanters and soothsayers, promising rich rewards to whoever can read and interpret it. But they cannot; the assembled experts of Babylon are baffled, and the king is more troubled than ever. Then the queen remembers someone: a man named Daniel, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods, who had shown, in the previous reign, an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding, able to interpret and solve hard problems. Where all the world's experts failed, God's servant was remembered as the one who could help.

Notice two things. First, the world's assembled wisdom failed; for all their rewards and reputation, the enchanters and wise men could not read the writing. But God's servant had a wisdom they lacked, a wisdom that came not from their arts but from God's Spirit at work in him. And second, notice that Daniel was remembered: his reputation for God-given wisdom and integrity, built over years of faithful service, was recalled in the moment of crisis. His faithful life had left a mark that was not forgotten.

Both are worth taking to heart. There is a wisdom the world cannot supply, that its experts and methods cannot reach, which comes from God; and God's people, filled with his Spirit, may have insight where the world is baffled. And a life of faithful integrity builds a reputation that is remembered, that others turn to in the hour of need. Seek the wisdom that comes from God, not merely the cleverness the world prizes. And live with the integrity that, like Daniel's, leaves a mark others remember and trust when the crisis comes.

Lord, when all the wise men of Babylon were baffled by the writing on the wall, God's servant Daniel was remembered as one in whom was an excellent spirit and God-given wisdom, able to help where the experts failed. Give me the wisdom that comes from you, not merely the cleverness the world prizes, that I might have insight where human methods are baffled. And help me live with the faithful integrity that, like Daniel's, leaves a mark others remember and trust in the hour of need. Let my life over the years build a reputation, not for my own glory, but for the God-given wisdom and integrity that point others to you. Fill me with your Spirit, and make me one others can turn to when the crisis comes.