Daniel 5:5-17

The crisis of awaking.

"Then was Daniel brought in before the king" (verse 13). In introducing the present subject the following features and incidents of the history need vivid and powerful setting: suddenness of the apparition—only fingers writing—in ancient Hebrew characters (same as those of the two Sinaitic tables)—on the plain plaster over against the candlestick—seen by its light—the effect upon the king, pale, trembling, sobered (he will not die drunk)—a great cry for help—why "third ruler"? (Belshazzar co-repent with his father Nabcnadius)—inability of the magi—consternation and confusion of the assembly—Daniel still in the king's employ, but probably in some obscure position ( Daniel 8:1 , Daniel 8:27 )—appearance of the queen-mother on the scene—Daniel called—the advent of the seer, now more than eighty—had been sixty-eight years in Babylon. Picture the tremendous scene, with a background of night, through which seen obscurely the action of the besieging army.

I. To the sinner sooner or later comes A MOMENT OF AWAKING . It is somewhat hazardous to make a universal affirmative; but all we know of God and his dealings with men justifies us in asserting that, sooner or later, God effectually awakens every sinner to his own condition and the Divine claim.

1 . The means.

2 . The immediate effect. Note:

3 . The final end. Not necessarily judgment; the rather mercy. Nor do we know the warning wasted. Many who began the night in revelry may have been awed to penitence and prayer ere they slept the sleep that knows no waking.

II. At such a moment HE MAY FLY FOR SALVATION TO THE INCOMPETENT . TO look at matters in the light of modern experience, we may observe that the king fled for help to the scientists real or pretended. The following propositions may well be insisted on in our time:

1 . Scientists fall into three classes. (Scientists, here, they who know.)

2 . A false science is useless. Such was much of the magian learning.

3 . A true science avails only in its own sphere. A competent leader in natural philosophy or in psychology may be of no use in dealing with a conscience awakened and alarmed. Disregard of this in our modern life. Scientists of the first class (see above) dogmatizing in both metaphysics and theology ( Colossians 2:18 ).

4 . Man needs one who knows the moral nature , and its relation to God , and both lighted by special revelations. Such was Daniel—the Christ in Daniel ( John 1:9 ; 1 Peter 1:11 )—the Christ of all the ages, and they who have his Spirit.

III. BUT ONLY TO BE DRIVEN BACK ON GOD . In this case the king was constrained to seek unto God in the presence of hit representative Daniel.—R.