May 10, 2026

UNIT 2 The Book of Daniel

LESSON: 11

Study Text: Daniel 5:1-31; 1 Peter 5:3-6

Central Truth: Humility is an essential virtue of Christian character.

KEY Verse-- Proverb 16:18 Pride before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall (KJV).

Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall (NLT).

LET'S GET STARTED

Pride is an especially dangerous sin. The philosopher Soren Kierkegaard wrote, "The proud person always wants to do the right thing, the great thing. But because he wants to do it in his own strength, he is fighting not with man, but with God."

DISCUSSION STARTER--Fighting with God

How is being prideful like fighting with God? _________________________________________.

There's nothing wrong with enjoying a sense of accomplishment or delighting in someone's achievements or abilities. But when pride makes us the center of the story, elevating us and  diminishing others, it can blind us to God's presence and power. Out last lesson ended with king Nebuchadnezzar praising God after Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were saved from the fiery furnace. But sadly, Nebuchadnezzar did not learn his lesson. Daniel 4 contains yet another account of Nebuchadnezzar becoming prideful, being humbled by God, and then praising God. Chapter 5 skips to a new king of Babylon named Belshazzar.

                                                  PART 1--Pride Leads to Sacrilege

Big Party, Big Mistake                              Daniel 5:1-4

Extravagant feasts were not uncommon in Babylon, so having a thousand guests could have been somewhat normal for a king's banquet. But as the wine started flowing, King Belshazzar made a pompous and arrogant decision (Daniel 5:1-2). He brought in goblets that had been stolen from the Jerusalem temple (1:2), so his guest could drink out of them.  as the drinking continued, the guests began praising "the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone: (5L4). Imagine the arrogance of using stolen, sacred objects from God's temple in the worship of false gods!

? Dainiel 5:1-4 shows how Belshazzar's drunkenness spiraled into blasphemy. In what ways do bad decisions often lead to even worse decision?

A Terrifying Sight                Daniel 5:5-9

Belshazzar's party was interrupted suddenly and shockingly when the image of a hand appeared and wrote a message on the wall (Daniel 5:5). King Belshazzar was terrified, he shouted for his wise men to come and explain what had just happened (verse 7). Belshazzar promised a hefty reward to anyone who could do the job. But the Babylonian experts once again did not have the skill or wisdom to give the king any answers *verse 8), and "the king grew even more alarmed" (verse 9).

? Why do you think God chose to communicate with Belshazzar in such a terrifying, mysterious way?

PART 2--Pride Leads to Humiliation

A Familiar Hero         Daniel 5:10-16

The queen mother who advised the king in Daniel 5:10-12 was likely an elder queen who obviously had some memory or record of Daniel's work with Nebuchadnezzar decades earlier. She called him by his Hebrew name (Daniel) instead of his Babylonian name (Belshazzar acknowledged that he had "the spirit of the gods" within him (verse 14). In desperation, Belshazzar extended the same offer to Daniel (verse 16) that he had extended to the other wise men (verse 7), setting up the possibility that a Judean captive would become one of the most powerful people in the world.

? Who is someone you trust to give you guidance and advice?

Learning Humility the Hard Way          Daniel 5:17-23; 1 Peter 5:5-6

Daniel began his response to the king by refusing to accept the gifts he offered (Daniel 15:17). Daniel's response showed that his gift of interpretation had come from God, who is not swayed by payment or reward (numbers 22:18; Micah 3:5; Acts 8:18-20). Before interpreting the writing, Daniel summarized the events of chapter 4. He explained that Nebuchadnezzar's power and authority had come from "the Most High God" (verse 18), although Nebuchadnezzar's failure to acknowledge God resulted in his great humiliation. Then Daniel delivered the knock-out punch: Belshazzar already knew all this history, yet he had made the same mistakes. Belshazzar was without excuse. Instead of learning from Nebuchadnezzar's example, Belshazzar had proudly defied the Lord of heaven" (verse 23).

? The Book of Daniel has repeatedly contrasted images of earthly materials with the one true God. Why do you think theme is so prevalent in Daniel?

PART 3-Pride Leads to Judgment

      The Message Revealed             Daniel 5:24-28

Daniel confirmed that God had sent the hand that wrote on the wall (Daniel 5:24), but he does not specify whether it was the hand of God himself. What matters most is the message: "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN" *verse 25). Daniel provided both the translation and the interpretation of each term (verse 26-28). "Numbered, NUMBERED, WEIGHED, and DIVIDED" was all God needed to tell Belshazzar. His shortcomings would result in the loss of his empire. There is some outside historical evidence that Belshazzar's prideful rebellion against God (verse 23).

? Share an example of a few words that hold a lot of power. 

The Message Fulfilled      Daniel 5:29-31

Belshazzar rewarded Daniel for interpreting the writing on the wall, which probably means he accepted the authority of what Daniel said (Daniel 5:29). Considering the content of the authority of what Daniel said (Daniel 5:29). Considering the content of the message Daniel interpreted, it is odd that we see no other reaction from Belshazzar--like fear, defiance, or repentance. Then, in the next verse, the author relates Belshazzar's death with starting brevity as, "that very night," Babylon fell to Darius the Mede (verses 30-31).

? If Belshazzar had repented upon hearing the message from God, do you think things would have gone differently for him and Babylon? Why or why not?

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US?

God does not withhold forgiveness from those whose humility leads them to repentance. Just think of David, Peter, or even the Ninevites in the Book of Jonah. Pride s deadly because it makes us believe we don't need forgiveness, leading us to reject the mercy God offers through Jesus. Pride disconnects people--spiritually, emotionally, and physically--from the Author and Giver of  life.

LIVING IT OUT

Pray that your church and civic leaders would hear from God and humbly accept His words.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS

     Monday: Do Not Forget the Lord. Deu. 8:11-18

             Tuesday: Pride Leads to Destruction. Pro. 16:18-20

                            Wednesday: The Arrogant Will Be Humbled. Isaiah 2:11-17

          Thursday: True and False Humility. Matthew 23:2-2

              Friday: Use Gifts of Grace Humbly. Romans 12:3-8

                Saturday: Love Is Not Proud. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

RADIANT LIFE

Volume 107 Number 3 Mar. Apr. May 2026

Gospel Publishing House

1445 N. Boonville Ave.

Springfield, Missouri 65802