“The Most High rules in the kingdoms of men and gives them to whomever he chooses,” Daniel 4:25

Welcome to our study of a deadly night feast in Daniel chapter 5.

The background for this text is set in Daniel chapter 4. King Nebuchadnezzar thinks that he is the true king and that he is made his kingdom powerful in and of himself. His heart becomes prideful; and as result, God lowers him even to the point where he is in the field with the wild animals eating the grass. He then realizes that the kingdom is not in and of himself. His power is not in himself; it is through God. He returns again to give God the praise for his kingdom.

How sad it is that Nebuchadnezzar never taught this lesson to his son. It could have saved him from a deadly night feast. As you think about Daniel chapter 5, Belshazzar Nebuchadnezzar son is now reining in power. He is, to say the least, a foolish man. He makes some very poor decisions related to God, and as result it ends in his own demise at the hand and the power of God.

As we think about the practical nature of a lesson like this, Daniel chapter 5, any person who exalts himself becomes prideful in his heart and decides to do ungodly immoral things- will always come to the end result Belshazzar did. He will die spiritually because of his sins and suffer punishment at the hand of Almighty God.

As we think about Daniel chapter 5, I want you to hear the words of Daniel 5:1-4 and look at the foolishness of Belshazzar. The Bible says, “Belshazzar the king made a great feast for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine with them. While he tasted the wine, Belshazzar gave the command to bring the gold and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem that the king is Lord's wives and his concubines might drink wine from them. They brought the gold vessels that were taken from the temple of the house of God which had been in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank wine from them. They drank wine and praise the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.”

Look at the folly and the way this man is mocking God. Men must never underestimate the folly and sin of alcohol. This man was involved in the immoral practice of drinking alcohol. Every person who gets involved in this and does not repent will also perish spiritually as Belshazzar perished. Wine and alcohol have never and will never prophet anyone. Listen to the words of Proverbs 20:1. The Bible says, ‘Wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is lead astray by it is not wise.’ It’s going to take away your inhibition and desire to control your anger. Ultimately whoever is lead astray by it is not following true wisdom Christians are commanded to. When people in the Scripture get involved with wine, alcohol there is always bad consequences to occur. For example in Genesis chapter 9 that great man, Noah, who God spared and his family from the flood, as he gets off the boat, he plants a vineyard. His own family takes advantage of him. Look at what happened because he was drunk. He left himself open for that.

Think about Genesis chapter 19 and what happened with Lot and his two daughters. His two daughters decide there are no more men left, and they need children. What is their plan? They make up a plan to get their father drunk. Because of the influence of alcohol, Lot did something that was very immoral and was not pleasing to the Father.

Today we have got to understand if I get involved in sinful practices using alcohol like Belshazzar did, I'm not walking in the light, 1 John 1:7. I'm no longer living a holy life, 1 Peter 1:15. I am leaving myself open to all kinds of ungodliness and immorality which I might not partake in otherwise.

When we think about Daniel chapter 5 there's another very powerful

point and that is we must never be disrespectful toward God. In verses two through three it isn't enough that they're just having a party's, this riotous drunken party- what do they do next? They remember the silver and the gold and the bronze articles that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple; and no doubt in a mockery to God, they send for those articles. They said ‘these were the articles of the true and living God; go get them and watch us fill our goblet to the top.’ They were mocking and being disrespectful toward God. They are in essence saying ‘We hold in our hand the vessels of God. We're more powerful than he.’ We've got to make sure that we don't become disrespectful and irreverent toward God. We need to remember in the presence of God and through our lives, just like Moses was reminded in Exodus chapter 3, we're on holy ground. Our lives need to be an example of that holiness.

We must worship God in spirit and in truth, John 4:24. In doing this, there is a great benefit to us. Look at the words of Proverbs 28:14. “Happy is the man who is always reverent but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.” Happy because I know that's what God wants. I know that when I respectful, when I fear God, when I decide to do His will that God will be happy with me. I can take pride and happiness knowing that I'm doing the will of God.

In verse four you see the ultimate folly in these people's lives. They are now drinking wine out of the goblets, the bronze and silver or gold cups of God, and what are they doing? They are praising the gods of silver and stone and wood and those kinds of things. They’re involving idolatry and paganism in the worship of God. It reminds me of Acts chapter 17. Paul is in Athens and there was rampant idolatry so much so that just in case they didn't offend anybody, they had a statue to the unknown God. The Bible tells us that we cannot get involved in idolatry and paganism and things are associated with false gods. In fact the Scripture says very clearly in 1 John 5:21, ‘little children keep yourself from idols.’ We've got to make sure that idolatry doesn't become a part of our life. Can't we steal become involved in idolatry if we put anything before God? Matthew 6:33 Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and all His righteousness.”

Whatever comes before God's kingdom and is taking the place of me living a righteous life- whether I realize it or not is my idol. We can put all kinds of things before God and be involved in idolatry. Christians need to abstain and refrain from all the things of the world that are idolatrous things

like: witchcraft, sorcery, upon reading tarot cards and those who want to tell the future astrology, and things of that nature. We need to stay away from the reading of the cards and the reading about the stars, so we can see what life is going to be like. The Bible tells us exactly how to live life in such a way that it will be pleasing to God.

In Daniel chapter 5 we saw the first four verses they were in a drunken, riotous state. They were praising idols. What's God's response to that? Daniel 5:5 the Bible says, “In the same hour the fingers of a man's hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the King's palace. The King watched, and his face turned pale. He was so frightened that his legs became weak and his knees were knocking. The King summoned the enchanters, astrologers, and diviners. He said to the wise men of Babylon ‘Whoever reads this writing and tells me what it means shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck. And he shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.’ Then all the kings’ wise men came, but they could not read the writing or make known to the king its interpretation. Then King Belshazzar was greatly troubled. His countenance was changed, and his lords were astonished.”

How shocking that would be! A hand appears, and then starts writing on the wall! God showed them through His writing on the wall that their ways were not right. From this scene there are several powerful lessons we need to learn.

The first is a very important lesson. We need to make sure we don't overlook the clear writing on the wall God has left us. God's left us His Revelation and message. We can clearly see what God's writing on the wall is and what God says. We need to not overlook that in our lives. We need to ask the question of Jeremiah 37:17 and Romans 4:3, “Is there any word from the Lord? What do the Scripture say?” God's revelation is right here in the Bible. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction, in righteousness that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped to do every good work.” This book is God's message for each and every one of us. This is how God tells us to live our life, the things we should do, and what happens when we don't obey God's message. Be sure this message is a powerful message. Notice the words of Hebrews 4:12. They illustrate the powerful word of God and how it still lives for us today. “The word of God is living and powerful sharper than any two edged sword

piercing even to division of soul and spirit, joints morrow. It is a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart.” When I think about God's word, I need to realize its power. I need to read and understand. 2 Timothy 2:15 says we need to; study to show ourselves approved unto God.’ We need to search the Scriptures daily, Acts 17:11. We need to be ready always to give an answer, 1 Peter 3:15.

Don't overlook God's revelation to man. We need to have a healthy fear for God before it's too late. We're not saying today that we need to be afraid of God in the sense that we can't have a relationship with Him. I need to fear God, but I need to let that fear motivate me to develop a relationship with God based on Scripture. Think about what the Bible says in Hebrews 10:31. The Scripture says, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Hebrews 12:29 complements it by saying, “For our God is a consuming fire.” We learn in Acts chapter 5 about Ananias and Sapphira. They did know what they were doing. When they lied to the Holy Spirit, they both died before God that day. Let's realize we need to honor God. We need to serve Him and worship Him respectfully out of respect and godly fear, Hebrews 12:28. Don't wait till it's too late to get afraid. Have a fear for God that motivates reverence right now.

Then what you think about what Belshazzar does? Next he's afraid. His knees are knocking together the text says. What does he do to find the answer? Don't look to the wrong source for the answer to life's most important questions. Belshazzar calls the magicians. All these men are tricksters. They can't answer the questions for him that he needs answered. Make sure we don't look to the wrong source today for the most important answers in life. Men can never answer life's most important questions for you. The Bible says in Proverbs 3:5-7, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways, and he shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and depart from evil.” When I think about looking to the wrong source, notice what the proverb writer says. Don't trust in your own heart. Don't put your trust in men. Trust in God. That's the true source for the right answers. Don't put your trust in the books of men; put your trust in the word of God. Psalm 119:160 says ‘the entirety of God's word is truth.’ Books of men contain men's opinions and men's ideas. Jesus said in Matthew 7:13-14, ‘Wide is the gate and broad is the way and there are many who find it.’ Trust in God. The Bible says in Matthew 23:9 ‘call no man Father.’ Look to the word of God for the answers to life's most

important questions.

We need to make sure that when we do decide to look to God for the answers that we do it the way God said. In verse 12 they now are going to approach Daniel. The queen remembers about Daniel, who under Nebuchadnezzar's reign told of the dream and the vision of the statute. She reminds Belshazzar about that, and so now they turned to Daniel. ‘Can you interpret the words?’ Daniel represented God. He was a representative of God. Today we need to look to God for the answers that we need. The Scripture says in John 17:17 Jesus prays, ‘Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth.’ Did you know the Bible has everything you need for this life and to get to heaven? You don't need other opinions. This book says is true. It has everything we need. Listen to 2 Peter 1:3. The Scripture says, “As his divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” What does the Bible have? All things. Everything I need is right here in this book.

Now Daniel is going to make known all the things that are going to happen to Belshazzar. Daniel interprets that dream. He convicts Belshazzar of his pride. Look at what God wrote on the wall. Whatever God wrote must've been of utmost importance, and it was. Notice Daniel 5:25. Daniel is going interpret the inscription that was written. ‘God has numbered your kingdom and finished it. You have been weighed in the balances and found wanting. Your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians. Then Belshazzar gave the command. They clothed Daniel in purple robes.’ In this context, verse 30, that very night Belshazzar king of the Chaldeans was slain.

I want us to think practically about this message. God wrote the words. Daniel correctly interprets those words. ‘As you been weighed in the balances and found wanting.’ How does that apply to us today? Hasn't God numbered each one of our days? The Bible says in Psalm 90:10-12 that we have 70 maybe 80 years upon this earth. John 14:1, ‘Man is born of woman is of few days, now is the accepted time,’ the emphasis is on now in Scripture. In 2 Samuel 14:14 that ‘life is like a glass of water once is poured upon the ground it can't be drawn up again.’ In Hebrews 9:27 says, ‘It's appointed to man once to die and then the judgment.’ Just like God had numbered the days of Belshazzar and his kingdom, each of us are only going to be for a short number of days. Our days are also numbered. Listen

to the words of James 4:14. ‘Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow for what is your life is but a vapor that appears for a little while then it vanishes away.’

Belshazzar was weighed and was found wanting. He wasn't what he needed to be. How does that apply to me? Each of us will stand before the judgment seat of God. Romans 14:12 says, ‘So then each of us shall give an account of himself to God.’ Just like Belshazzar was found wanting, each of us will be weighed and if we don’t do what God says, we will be found wanting. But if we do, we won’t be found wanting. Look at the words of 2 Corinthians 5:10. The Scripture says, ‘We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may receive the things done a body according to what he's done whether good or bad or evil.’ How does that apply to us? If we do well, the Bible teaches we can go to heaven. If not, we're going to be divided from those who are righteous, and we're going be lost. Just as there was a great division in Belshazzar, his kingdom, God says one day, Matthew 25, there's going to be a great division that be separated from the sheep and the goats, the right and the left. They'll be separated to eternal life or eternal death. If we're not faithful to God, we will be divided from His saints.

The Bible teaches there only two choices after this life. Listen to what Jesus said in Matthew 25:46. Jesus said, “They will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Two choices: everlasting punishment if I do wrong, or if I do right and everlasting life. What road are you on today?

The Bible says in 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10, ‘His Son is one day going be coming in flaming fire to take vengeance on two types of people those who do not know God and those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.’ Are you living your life today like Belshazzar, living it up living for the moment and living in defiance of God? Are you mocking Him by your lifestyle? You need to stop, and see the clear writing.

God has revealed His will. He's revealed exactly how we're to live. Let's realize our days are numbered. One day we're all going to be weighed, and if we're found wanting- we will perish eternally. If not, we can live with God forever.

Stop and analyze your own life. Are you sure right now that if you die you’d be right with God? If not, we would love to help you become the person God wants.

Study Questions for:

“Old Testament Studies: Lesson 4- Daniel 5-A Deadly Night Feast”

1. According to Daniel 4:25, who rules?

2. What does Proverbs 20:1 say about wine and strong drink?

3. According to 1 John 1:7, how should we walk and live life?

4. According to 1 Peter 1:15, what kind of life should we live?

5. According to John 4:24, how should we worship God?

6. How is the man who is reverent to God described in Proverbs 28:14?

7. According to 1 John 5:21, what are we to keep ourselves from?

8. According to Matthew 6:33, what should we seek above all else?

9. According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, where does scripture come from?

10. According to Hebrews 4:12, what can God’s word do?

“Let us eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die,” this is the philosophy of the Epicureans. It has been the philosophy of many people who got caught up in worldliness. It basically says- you need to have your fun enjoy all of the pleasure and lust that you can in this life, for you may not be here tomorrow. While many people have espoused and still do espouse this idea, no one better exemplifies this philosophy than the profane man Esau. He sold everything he had, that was important, for basically or a bowl of chili. Can you imagine that?

A practical lesson exists from this story for us today. We have a birthright given by God. We are sons and daughters of God and heirs of all that God has, Galatians 4:4-6. If we stay away from worldliness, if we don't get caught up in hedonism, when we stay true to God and unlike Esau- we can be faithful and receive the birthright.

Now as we begin our lesson, I want us to hear the story from Genesis 25:27-34 of what exactly Esau did and look at how foolish his mistake was. The Bible says, ‘So the boys grew, Jacob and Esau, and Esau was a skillful hunter a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild man dwelling in tents. Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebecca loved Jacob. Now Jacob cooked a stew, and Esau came in from the field. He was weary,’ the Bible says in verse 30. “Esau said to Jacob, ‘Please feed me with that same red stew for I am weary.’ Therefore his name was called Edom but Jacob said, ‘Sell me your birthright as of this day.’ Esau said, ‘Look I am about to die; what is this birthright to me?’ So Jacob said, ‘Swear to me as of this day.’ So he swore to him and sold him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils. Then he ate and drank and arose and in went his way. Thus Esau despised his

birthright.”

Notice what's going on here. You've got some rivalry. The parents are playing favorites. There's definitely some rivalry going on here. Esau comes in from being out in the field, and he smells a wonderful smell. He's hungry. He is famished. He says, ‘Please let me have some of that.’ He's hungry. Look at how profane Esau was. Esau said, of one of the greatest blessings you could ever imagine, he said ‘it's a birthright to me; I'm about to die.’ And so he gave his birthright out for a bowl of stew. Think about the foolish of Esau. He had lack of trust in God to take care of him. He failed to continue to be faithful to God, and ultimately selling out what God had given to him as a blessing for a bowl of soup or beans.

Friends as we think about the story of the Saul and Jacob, let's think for just a moment about what Esau gave up. What is the birthright in the Old Testament? I want you think about the beautiful blessing of the birthright that which Esau possess. The Old Testament birthright was only given to the firstborn. Esau came out and Jacob had his hand around his ankle when he came out. Esau did come out first, so he received that birthright. It was naturally his. What is a birthright? According to Deuteronomy 21:15-17 a birthright meant that Esau got a double portion of the father's inheritance. That is if he had 100,000 acres of land that Esau got basically 75,000 of that, and the others got what was left. He got a double portion. There was a great financial gain. There was a great inheritance involved in that. We learn from Scripture that it is often the firstborn who serves as priest for the family. This is exemplified in the life of Abraham. God often spoke to them and through them. There was a connection with God that went along with that. As well as the priest of the family, there was a great deal of respect and recognition that came with the name firstborn.

The firstborn was placed on a higher level there was almost a sense of reverence tied to that blessing, the blessing of the firstborn. When you said those words in the Old Testament time you carry that idea with you. People respected you because of that. There was also the spiritual blessing of the father that was placed upon the firstborn. Genesis 27:27 you'll notice in the context here, Esau is blessed for coming out first. A prized possession of the birthright was that great spiritual blessing of the father placed upon you. Anything that was the firstborn or first fruits of the harvest was always dedicated the God in a special way. Exodus 22:29-31 the firstborn, no matter whether be of harvest or people, it was always

dedicated to God in a very special way. It held a very special place in that sense.

What did Esau give up on? An inheritance. He gave up on spiritual blessings. He gave up on being the firstborn being dedicated to God for all that he gave up- because he was hungry. He was worldly, and he thought about the flesh more than the spiritual needs.

How does this apply to us today? Do we not realize that as Christians there is a birthright and a blessing for Christians in the New Testament? All who obey the gospel have certain blessings and privileges as sons and daughters of God. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I'm meek and lowly in heart.” Look at the rest we are promised. 1 Timothy 2:4-6 says ‘God wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.’ When we obey the gospel, we also have certain blessings and privileges that go along with the birthright for a Christian. What are some of those? Christians are promised a full portion, not a double portion, a full portion of heaven itself- unlike Esau who whatever his father had he got a double portion, as a child of God my birthright exceeds and excels that of the Old Testament. I can receive a full portion of heaven itself. Look at the beautiful words of Romans 8:18. Paul said of that full portion of heaven, ‘I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.’ The temptations we face, those are just a drop in the bucket compared to how beautiful heaven's going to be. Galatians 4:4-7 says that ‘in the fullness of time God sent forth His Son born of a woman born under the law to redeem those who were under the law that we might receive the adoption as sons and because you are sons God is sent the spirit of His Son in your heart crying “Abba, Father” therefore no longer slaves, but His sons.’

We’re heirs of Christ and of all that God has. I can have access to the full benefits of heaven itself. I want to go to that place where there's no more sorrow or death or crying or pain- all the former things have passed away, Revelation 21:3-4. I want to go to that place that is a city whose builder and maker is God. I want to go to that place where we can put off this old tent put on the new habitation from God and that will no longer have to face the things we face now. But more than all, I will be where God is. Matthew 6:9 I believe the greatest attribute of heaven, Jesus prayed

“Our Father who art in heaven.” What made the birthright so powerful? One of the things was it came from the Father directly. It was directly associated with Him. I am of the Father. I can be with the Father forever. That's the greatest privilege of being a child of God- and never ever being separated from God.

Today part of our birthright is also the fact that we are a priest of God. Revelation 1:4-6 says we are a kingdom of priests. Now are we priest in the sense like the Old Testament? No, we don't offer animal sacrifice. We don't go to the temple and help people with sin and things of that nature. How are we priest today? Let's let the New Testament tell us. Notice the words of 1 Peter 2:9. The Scripture says, ‘You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own people that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.’ We’re that special unique people who were set apart among all of God's tribes. They were set apart and sanctified as holy, and they help God's people. They proclaim God's holiness. The same is true for us today. We are a Royal priesthood, a holy nation. We're to proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. It's the fruit of our lips, Hebrews 13:15, that gives praise to God. It's the honor and glory we show Him by the life that we live, Matthew 5:16. And so yes, we are priests of God today. Think about what a privilege that is! Today all Christians are sanctified and made holy. ‘Be holy as He who called you is holy,’ 1 Peter 1:14-15. We're to let our ‘conduct be holiness,’ 2 Peter 3:10-12. Hebrews 12:14, ‘without holiness no one shall see God.’ What a privilege it is to be sanctified and set apart as God's holy people today.

Like in the days of Esau, when there was a sense of recognition, even praise attached to the name firstborn, we also have a name with our birthright that carries a great deal of praise. We wear the highly praised name Christian. I don't mean in the sense that we are praised, but the name praises the Son of God. Do we realize just what a privilege it is to be a Christian? Isaiah 62:1-2 God said in the long-ago when the Gentiles see my righteousness ‘I'll call my people by a new name.’ That new name is given divinely by God. That's the name Christian, and we know that Acts chapter 10 and 11 the first Gentile converts that we know of Cornelius and his house the Bible says in Acts 11:26 ‘they were called Christians first in Antioch.’ Notice the beautiful words of 1 Peter 4:16. The Bible says, ‘Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter- or some versions say in this name-‘ the name Christian

is that name of honor. Acts 4:13 they look at Peter and John and they said ‘These are untrained and uneducated men. Then they realized they had been with Jesus.’ We wear the name of Christ and the name Christian. There's no other name in all the world of more honor and glory than the name Christ. We try to live that in our Christian life.

Today we are promised every spiritual blessing from God in Christ. Think about the words of Ephesians 1:3 ‘all spiritual blessings are ours in Christ Jesus.’ Talk about a birthright! Here it is! I don't just get a spiritual blessing from the father; I have every spiritual blessing from God the Father in Christ. I have God's love. 1 John 4:8 the Scripture says ‘God is love.’ I have the love of God in my life if I obey the gospel, John 3:16. As I live according to the teaching of God, I have the spiritual blessing of God's protection. I love the words of Hebrews 13:5-6. The Bible says, “Let your life be without covetousness. Be content with such things as you have for He has said ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you so that you may boldly say the Lord is my helper what shall a man do to me.’ What a great blessing. God's on my side. He is my helper. Men can't do anything to affect my salvation- if I stay faithful to God.

We have the power of prayer think about James 516. “The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails or overcomes much.” Jesus said, “Men ought to pray always and never lose heart.” We have the blessing of God's forgiveness. Psalm 103:10 the psalmist said, ‘that although we deserved to die in our iniquities, He's not dealt us according to our sins nor punished us according to our iniquities.’ Micah 7:18 Micah said, ‘He cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.’ The psalmist said in Psalm 130:4-5, “If you oh Lord were to mark our iniquities who could stay but there is forgiveness with you that you may be feared.” I don't just have every spiritual blessing from the father of physical father; I've got every spiritual blessing from God the Father.

The Christian life is completely dedicated to God. Romans 12:1-2 illustrates the idea of how our life must be completely dedicated to God to fulfill the birthright. Romans 12:1 says, “I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God which is your reasonable service and do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” My life is a living sacrifice. I've got to love the Lord by God with all my

heart, soul, mind, and strength- Mark 12:30. I've got to be crucified with Christ and raise to live a new life- Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:4. I've got to come out from among them and ‘Be ye separate,’ says the Lord, 2 Corinthians 6:17. I've got to do what Jesus said; “If any man desires come after me let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

And so, do we have a better birthright than Esau? Absolutely! I am promised a full portion of heaven. I serve as a priest of God today. We're promised every spiritual blessing from the Father. Our lives must be completely dedicated to God.

Now imagine if you can, Esau sold all of that! Everything he had for a bowl of soup! Can you imagine that? What a terrible waste and tragedy that was! What a bad bargain! There has never been a worse physical bargaining than this. It would be like Bill Gates giving up all his wealth for a Big Mac. Can you imagine that? What does the Bible say about Esau? The Bible says, “He was a profane person.” Here's God's commentary on Esau in the New Testament; it is little bit lengthy, but I want you to hear Hebrews 12:14-17. It says, ‘Pursue peace with all people and holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and defile many. See that no fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.’ Now watch this, ‘For you know that afterward that is after he sold his birthright, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected for he found no place for repentance though he sought it diligently with tears was he sorrowful; but he couldn't take it back.’

That was a horrible bargain friend. There is a worse bargain than what Esau did in Genesis 27. Are we any different today? If we obey the gospel, if we become Christians, we have access to that birthright. Then we sell that out for pleasure of this life- think about how much worse that is! If we sellout for worldly lusts today- we give up on heaven.

People today are selling their soul to the devil because they’re giving up on their birthright for worldliness and materialism. The Bible says in 1 John 2:15 ‘we're not love the world or anything that's in the world, if we do the love the father is not in us.’ If you give up being faithful to God for this world, you're far worse off than Esau. Esau might have sold out for a bowl of beans, but imagine giving up on heaven for worldliness and materialism!

2 Peter 3:10-12 says, “The earth and all that's in it is one day going to be burned up with a fervent heat.” How much worse are we than Esau when we do that? People sometimes sellout for sexual sins and the lust of the flesh. 1 Peter 2:11 says, “I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lust which war against the soul.” Hebrews 13 for the Scripture says that the ‘marriage is honorable and the bed undefiled, whoremongers and adulterers God will judge them.’

Esau sold out because he had lust of flesh. It may be different than sexual lust, but it was a lust of the flesh. He was hungry, and he thought he was going to die. He sold it all out for physical lust. How horrible when people today sellout the joys of heaven for physical lust- whether it being overeating, whether it be sins of the flesh such as it adultery, fornication and things of that nature-just imagine what you're giving up when you do that.

Now as we think about Esau selling out his birthright, that was indeed a horrible thing and for any Christian to sellout the beautiful blessings we have is far greater, but to have access to the birthright- you've got to be born again. All the things we spoke about: beauty of heaven, being a Christian, having a life it's dedicated to God- you can't have any of that if you're not born again.

How does one have access to this New Testament birthright? You've got to be born again. You've got to become a Christian. What does the Bible say a person has to do to be a Christian?

First you have to hear the word of God. Romans 10:17 says, ‘faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.’ Once I have heard the word and understand, I then must commit to those facts. I must believe in Jesus as God's Son and the Savior of the world. Jesus said, ‘Unless you believe that I'm He, you'll surely die in your sins,’ John 8:24. It doesn't stop there. The Bible teaches that you've also got to repent. Acts 3:19 Peter preached, “Repent and turn again that your sins may be blotted out that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” I've got to stop sinning, turn from that sin, and turn to God and bring forth fruits worthy of repentance- Luke 3:8. Having repented, I must confess the name of Jesus. Jesus said in Matthew 10:32-33, ‘If you will confess me before men I will confess you before the Father who is in heaven, if you don’t confess me before men I won’t confess you before the Father who is in heaven.’

Then to have access to the birthright, you must be born again. John 3:1 Nicodemus came to Jesus and in essence he wants to flatter Jesus. ‘Teacher we know that you come from God and no one can do the things you know unless God is with him.’ Jesus says to Nicodemus, ‘Assuredly I say to you, you can’t be in God without being born again. Unless a man is born again, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus, confused he says ‘Lord help me go back, in essence, in my mother's womb and be born.’ Jesus said, ‘Unless a man is born of water and the spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’

Have you obeyed God's plan of salvation concerning baptism? You can't be saved without it. Jesus said, “He that believes and is baptized will be saved.” Peter said in Acts 2:38, “Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins.”

We're begging you today. If you don't have the birthright, if you're not a child of God- be born again so that you can have that. If you are Christian, don't do Esau did. He sold out for a bowl of soup. If you sellout for flesh lust and sin, you've done something far greater.

May each of us be faithful as children of God looking forward to that great blessing of the birthright- the full portion of heaven.

Study Questions for:

“Old Testament Studies: Lesson 3- Esau –The Prince of Bad Bargains”

1. According to Galatians 4:4-6, what are God’s sons and daughters heirs of?

2. According to Genesis 25:27-34, what did Esau sell his birthright for?

3. According to Matthew 11:28-30, what can we find in Jesus?

4. According to 1 Timothy 2:4-6, what does God want?

5. According to Romans 8:18, how did Paul view the sufferings of this world?

6. What does Revelation 21:3-4 say of Heaven?

7. According to 1 Peter 2:9, how are we priests of God today?

8. According to 1 Peter 1:14-15, how are we to conduct ourselves?

9. According to Ephesians 1:3, where are all spiritual blessings found?

10. According to Hebrews 13:5-6 who will never leave or forsake us?

Concerning the whole of God's word the psalmist said in Psalm 119:160, “The entirety of your word is truth and every one of your righteous judgments endures forever.”

As we think about the word of God and practical lessons from the Old Testament, when we take all of what God says, we can come to the sum total of God's truth.

As we think about lessons that will encourage us and help us to live better lives from the Old Testament, one of those is found in Nehemiah chapter 8. The context of the background and historical context of Nehemiah 8 is that God's people had been sinning. They had been getting caught up in idolatry and in the worship of the heathen nations. In Jeremiah 25:9-12 God promised Israel because of their idolatry and because of their sin that they would go into 70 years of hard captivity under the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. We know that this took place in the year 606 and was ultimately completed in the year 536. Just as God promised, there would be a captivity. God also promise there would be deliverance in Isaiah 44:28. Isaiah 45:1 God promised that through His servant Cyrus God would deliver His people out of Babylonian captivity. We open to Ezra 1:1-2 and they're now coming back to their homeland. In the book of Ezra, the temple and morality are restored.

In Nehemiah we now come to the city of Jerusalem and the walls are being rebuilt, and the word of God is being restored and true worship is being accomplished. Nehemiah chapter 8 is all about Israel restoring the

city, restoring the temple, restoring the law of God, and ultimately restoring the lost relationship they had with God due to sin and captivity.

This is a highly practical context because- isn't man trying today to restore the relationship with God? Every man must walk that road. “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23. All men everywhere need to come to Jesus. Jesus is the way the truth and the life, John 14:6. He is the one who has the words of eternal life, John 6:68. He's the only one who can take away the sin problem- Hebrews 9:22, 1 John 2:1-2.

As we think about keys to successful restoration, let's view this practically through the eyes of the New Testament- realizing that all of us need to restore a relationship with God that was lost due to sin.

What steps did they take? What steps did the Israelites take? Did God command for them to have restoration with Him? What steps can we take to achieve the same today?

First and foremost we learn in Nehemiah 8:1, which really sets the stage for keys to successful restoration, we learn first that for restoration to occur there must be a heart a desire for unity with God and unity in the family of God. Nehemiah 8:1 the Scripture says, “Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Watergate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel.” For years the Israelites had been divided over matters- some have thought unity do it this way others have their tradition. Some were staying faithful. Some were involved in idolatry. There was division that existed even among the Israelites. There was that great division, and yet now when it comes time for true restoration they come before God with Ezra and the Law of Moses as one. What a beautiful picture that is of their heartfelt desire to achieve real unity.

If we're going to be restored, if a person is going to be restored to the relationship with God, that man has to have a heart for real unity with God. God has always wanted His people to have unity. This is nothing new. God’s always wanted that unity. The words of Psalm 133:1 express God's desire. The Scripture says, “How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” It's something God wants man to achieve. Ephesians 4:3 says, “We’re to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” That bond of peace is the gospel. We’re to endeavor to

strive diligently to keep that unity. God hates division. 1 Corinthians 1:10 Paul said, “Let there be no division among you.” Just as Israel was often divided among itself, the northern and southern tribes, those were trying to remain faithful- the remnant and the unfaithful.

Today God wants unity of heart. As a key to biblical restoration resources, why unity? Do we realize that in unity there is great story Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 gives us this idea. If a man's walking down the road alone and he falls in a ditch, in essence Solomon says, ‘there's nobody there to pick him up. But if he's walking with another, he can help them up.’ “A two fold cord is not quickly broken and three for sure is not,” Solomon will say. This is a great strength in unity. We can encourage. We can help one another. When I've got the desire to have unity, there's strength in my life. Jesus taught that unity proves to the world that He is the Son of God. Think about Jesus’ words in John 17:20-21. Jesus said, “I do not pray for these alone not just for my immediate disciples but also for those who will believe in me through their word.” What did Jesus pray? ‘That they all may be one as you Father are in Me and I in you, that the world may believe that you sent Me.’ We need that unity as God's people and ultimately we need to strive for unity of heart. We need to notice what God says. We must be united. Look in Ephesians 4:4-6. Here's what it comes down to. If we're talking about successful restoration of God and man, we must meet God on His terms of unity. The Scripture says, “There is one body, one spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling. One Lord one faith one baptism one God and Father of all who's above all and through all.” We’re to serve one God. There is one way to get to God- Jesus Christ. There's only one hope, one body, and one church, Ephesians 1:22-23.

And so, what's the first key to a successful restoration of God? You have got to have the unity of heart to strive to do what God says and to strive to be united upon His word.

Now let's look back in Nehemiah chapter 8, and I want you notice a second key to successful restoration. Nehemiah 8:2-3, not only did they have unity of heart these were people who were attentive to the word of God. The Scripture says, ‘So Ezra, the priest brought the law before the assembly of men and women all who can hear with the understanding on the first day of the seventh month. Then he read from it in the open square those in front of the Watergate from morning until midday before the men and women. And those who could understand and the ears of all the

people were attentive to the book of the law.” They gave attention to the word of God because they now realize after their captivity, after they've been forced to do things other people's way, they now realize if they’re going to be right with God they have got to give attention to what God's word says. It is also true today. The only way we can have real restoration to God is when we have an attitude of attentiveness to His word.

Think about Mark 8:36-37. Jesus asked two great questions. “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Our soul is the most important possession we have and the only way to get that right with God is by obedience to the word of God. Jesus said, “Not everybody just says ‘Lord, Lord’ that's going to heaven, but he who does the will of the Father,” Matthew 7:21. Just like Israel, they realized they were have start listening to God's word. We must say ‘What does God say?’ If people are going to have true restoration today, not only must they have that zeal for unity with God- we must look to and listen to the word of God. We need an intent of heart. The New Testament contains everything we need to get to heaven. Here's the good news- you can look to the word of God and have everything you need to go to heaven. 2 Peter 1:3 says that God's word contains everything for life and godliness through knowledge of Him who called us. John 8:32 Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” 2 Timothy 1:13, God's word is a perfect pattern if we follow we can be right. Think about the words of John 6:68 Jesus had made some rather difficult statement. It said in the context ‘eat my; flesh drink my blood.’ He wasn't talking about cannibalism. He was talking about consuming His whole person into our life- having the mind and the life of Christ. Philippians 2:5 the Bible says that “Some of the disciples heard that they were confused, and so they walk with the Lord no more. Then Jesus turned to Peter and the other apostles and said, ‘Do you want to go away also?’” Listen to what Peter said. “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

The Bible, the word of God, contains the words of life. We must give attention to it. What makes the Bible something I want to give attention to? Think about some of these things it can do for us. The Bible edifies us, builds us up, and brings us closer to God. I want to be close to God. I want have up a close relationship with Him. How do I do that? Acts 20:32 Paul said to the elders in Ephesus, “Give heed to yourselves the doctrine that make sure that you teach correctly, and I charge you give heed to the word

of God which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those are sanctified.” God's word is able to build us up. James 4:8, we can draw near to God through His word.

It is also something I need to give attention to because it convicts me of sin. Acts 2:36 Peter proclaims to the Jews ‘this Jesus whom you crucified is Lord and Christ.’ Notice the power of that word; “They were cut to the heart, and they cried out, ‘Men and brethren what shall we do?’” They were told how to escape their sin. Paul in Acts chapter 9 when he was confronted by the words of Jesus responded by saying, ‘Lord what would you have me to do?’ So, the word of God is valuable today because it convicts us of sin and tells us when we're wrong with God.

We need to be attentive to the word of God today because it is able to save our souls. James 1:21 says we're to ‘receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your souls.’ Paul told Timothy ‘give attention to reading the doctrine continue steadfastly in these things were in so doing you will save yourself and all those who hear you.’ Acts chapter 11:14 Cornelius had to hear words whereby he could be saved. I want you think again of the beautiful statement of Jesus John 8:31. Jesus said, “If you continue in my word you are my disciples indeed and you shall know the truth and the truth will make you free.” I need to listen up. I need to have attention to the word of God because it can make me free. It can help me go to heaven. It is powerful, and it is eternal. The word of God is the most powerful word, the most powerful tool; we have against sin and to help us live righteously.

I love the words of Hebrews 4:12. “The word of God is living and powerful sharper than any two edged sword piercing even to division of soul and spirit joints and morrow. It's a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” The word of God is powerful and eternal. Think about what Paul said to Christians in Rome concerning the word of God and its power. Paul said this in Romans 1:16. Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.” I need to give attention to the word of God because it is going to last the test of time. Matthew 24:34-36 Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away but in my word will never pass away.” The word of God lasts forever. The only way I can live eternally with God is to make sure I obey that eternal word. 1 Peter 1:25,

“We have been born again by the word of God which lives and endures forever.” Have that desire for unity and have an intent of heart.

I want to know what God says. Jeremiah 37:17, “Is there any word from the Lord?” Romans 4:3, “What do the Scriptures say?”

In Nehemiah chapter 8, we've learned the first key was unity of heart. The second key was to have attentive heart attentive ear to the word of God.

Thirdly, to have true restoration we must have respect for the word of God. Notice Nehemiah 8:4-5. Look at their respect. The Bible says, “So Ezra, the scribe, stood on a platform of wood which they had made for that purpose and for the purpose, and beside him it is right hand stood Mattithiah, Shema, and Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Masseiah; on his left were Peddaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people for he was standing above the people. He opened it all the people stood up.” We stand up sometimes today when we sing songs. We stand up today sometimes went when prayers are led- but wouldn't it be a great sign respect that when someone stood up and open the word of God then out of respect we stood up? Let's stand up and give God and His word the respect that it deserves.

The only way today that we can gain that great respect for the Bible, the word of God, is when we realize it is the very word of God. It is the absolute instruction for my life. The prophets realize this. This book is not a book written by men. This book is not a book of suggestions. This book, just as God spoke the world into existence Genesis 1:1, just as God said ‘Let there be light and there was light,’ so this book is the very word of the God who created universe. As we said, the prophets realized this. For example in Jeremiah, Jeremiah says over 500 times ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ What's Jeremiah trying to get across? This isn’t my word- this is God's word. In Ezekiel, Ezekiel says some 309 times “Thus say the Lord God.” In the short 14 chapter book of Zachariah, Zachariah says some 78 times “Thus saith the Lord our God.” Do you get the point? They all were proclaiming this message is from God. Do we respect the Bible like that today? We must have an absolute respect for this as God's holy word. 2 Timothy 3:16 says that ‘All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.’ The Bible says in 2 Peter 1:19-21 that holy men of God spoke as they were

moved or guided along by the Holy Spirit. Remember Psalm 119:160? ‘The entirety of God's word is truth.’ When I come to the Bible, I need to realize this is the very word of the God who created me, the world, and who will determine every man's destiny. When I do that then we can achieve true restoration God's way. We can't add to or take away from the Bible; Revelation 22:18-19, we can't go beyond what's written.

Another principle found Nehemiah 8:6 is that they had worship for God with great fear and reverence. Once they heard the word of God and they determined that they were going to seek His will, they all bowed down face to the ground as the word of God was being read. As they heard His teaching they bowed their faces to the ground as a sign of respect and fear of God. We need that reverence for God today to have true restoration. Exodus 3:5 Moses was told us he approached the burning bush, ‘take the sandals off your feet the place where you stand is holy ground.’ When we come before God and approach Him, we must approach with reverence. Proverbs 28:14-15 says, “Happy is the man who is always reverent.”

Another key to biblical restoration is not only must I have a great respect and fear for God, I must understand God's word properly to be restored to Him. There is so much confusion about the word of God. In Nehemiah 8:7-8 the Scripture says, “As these men stand up to read the word of God, they read distinctly from the book in the law of God; they gave the sense and help to understand the reading.” How did they do that? Look in verse 12; “All the people went the way to eat and drink, to send portions of food, and to rejoice greatly because they understood the words that were declared to them.”

If you're going to be restored to God, you have to have a personal obligation to the reading of God's word. Let the Bible be its own commentary. We don't need a papacy or a clergy. How do you get help in understanding God's word? We ‘pray for wisdom,’ James 1:5; we let the Bible explain to us what it means. God's word is more than able to save- if will only look to the Bible and not ask people. Let the Bible explain it, and then you got apply its message to your life. If you read the word of God and you come to an understanding based on Scripture of what it means, it will do you no good if you don't apply that to your life. Paul said this in Philippians 4:9, “The things which you received and heard and saw in me these do and the God of peace will be with you.”

I have to have true unity and true restoration. I must have that desire for oneness. I have to have attentiveness to the word of God. I've got to respect God’s word. I must approach God in reverence. More than anything, I want to know- ‘What does the Bible say?’ I need to understand it correctly to be right with Him.

Our prayer and our desire for you today and for all men is that we will strive for true biblical restoration. Put aside the faults of man, and ask yourself, ‘What does God say?’ Look to the word of God to make sure that you're right.

Study Questions for:

“Old Testament Studies: Lesson 2- Nehemiah: 8 Keys to Successful Restoration”

1. Accroding to Psalm 119:160, what is truth?

2. According to Psalm 119:160, what endures forever?

3. In Jeremiah 25:9-12, what would happen as a result of their sin?

4. According to Romans 3:23, who has sinned?

5. According o Nehemiah 8:1, what must there be for restoration with God?

6. According to Psalm 133:1, what is good and pleasant?

7. According to Ephesians 4:3, what should we make every effort to do?

8. According to 1 Corinthians 1:10, there should be no what?

9. What did Jesus pray for in John 17:20-21?

10. What does Matthew 7:21 say of who will go to Heaven?