Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom. – Daniel 5:29

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 11, 2014): Daniel 5

Abraham Lincoln is thought to have said in regard to the public opinion that surrounded his political career that –

If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business. I do the very best I know how — the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what's said against me won't amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference. (Abraham Lincoln)

The quote was actually attributed to Lincoln by the journalist Henry J. Raymond shortly after the President was assassinated in 1865. The quote features what might be one of the most important character traits of the Civil War President (after his honesty) – his commitment to do his best. At every step of the way, what Lincoln did was what he considered to be best. But the best was not always easy. There is no indication that Lincoln wanted to be the President that would lead the nation through a Civil War. But Lincoln could not conceive of a nation that could exist as both slave and free. Lincoln was positive that slavery was wrong, and that if he was going to do his best, he would have to stand against slavery. No matter what public opinion thought of his actions, all he could do was his best.

This is one of the reasons why Lincoln is consistently listed among the top three Presidents of the United States in spite of having extremely low approval ratings at the time of his presidency (the disapproval of his policies in the South may have had something to do with that.) But even when he was wrong, he was committed to do and give his best.

And that is what makes the story of Belshazzar so tragic. Belshazzar’s claim to fame is that he presided over the demise of the Babylonian Empire. The story that history tells is of a king who partied while his enemies entered the city, meeting absolutely no resistance. From the vantage point of history, what is even worse is that he knew the Medes were coming – his scouts had already informed him of their presence in the empire and their approach of the city. And yet he did nothing.

Biblically we have what is almost an absurd image. The party rages, the king is scared by a vision – the literal writing on the wall. Daniel comes and interprets the writing. The news isn’t good, the enemy is coming (which he already knew) but still Belshazzar makes no move. There is no attempt on the part of the Babylonian king to try to do anything – there seems to be no best in Belshazzar. Instead, he honors Daniel, raising him up to the third highest ruler in the kingdom – and then he continues the party, waiting for his death.

For a time, the reason why Daniel was made the third highest ruler in the kingdom was a bit of a mystery. But the mystery has been solved. The reason why Daniel was lifted up to the position of the third highest ruler in the kingdom was because it seems that Belshazzar was really the second highest ruler in the kingdom. The ultimate ruler, Belshazzar’s father, was still alive. In fact, he was doing his best in the field of battle – and he was the one who had sent his son the message that the Persians were coming so that his son could take some action – he could either fight or run. But instead of doing his best, Belshazzar decided to party – and die.  

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Daniel 6

Note: Happy significant birthday ending in 0 to my little sister, Cheri. I remember holding you on a pillow sitting on the couch, and now you are all grown up. What can I say except - “Have a great day!”