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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 5 of 5
Daniel 5:13-31
This is the third time that Daniel appears on the scene in a moment of crisis to interpret the mind of God. But we are now in the last moments of Babylon’s history. On this occasion the man of God does not hesitate in announcing its downfall. Belshazzar has taken no account of his father’s testimony (v. 22). Daniel can only translate for him the irrevocable sentence. Three words suffice for God to pronounce the fate of Babylon and of its ruler. "Mene, Mene"; counted and re-counted. The repetition is remarkable! It is as if the righteous God carefully checked His addition before the final verdict (cf. Genesis 18:21). "Weighed"! Ah! this frivolous monarch and his nobles, "laid in the balance . . . are altogether lighter than vanity" (Psalms 62:9). Finally, "Divided"! The Most High, who "ruleth in the kingdom of men," is about to give this kingdom to others (Daniel 4:17). History relates how Cyrus the Persian, having diverted the course of the Euphrates (which flows through Babylon), made use of its dry bed to make his way into the city with his troops, under the cover of night and the orgy at the palace. May this solemn account be of instruction to us also! Let us watch and be sober so as not to be surprised by the coming of the Lord.
