DANIEL SERIES: BELSHAZZAR’S SACRILEGIOUS ACT – CHAPTER 5

There has been a great deal of historical research on the relationship of Belshazzar to Nebuchadnezzar, and many believe he was the son of Nabonidus and Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson. At the time of this chapter, it was B.C. 538, twenty-three years after the death of King Nebuchadnezzar, and Belshazzar was reigning as king in conjunction with his father Nabonidus who was involved in a military expedition outside of Babylon. Thus, the prophecy found in Jeremiah 27:6-7 was fulfilled, “And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him. And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son’s son, until the very time of his land come: and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him.”
King Belshazzar held a lavish feast for a thousand of his lords, and while drinking wine, he commanded the gold and silver holy vessels taken out of the temple in Jerusalem be brought in that he and his wives, concubines, and princes might drink from them.
While they were enjoying the festivities and praising the gods of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, and stone, a man’s finger appeared on the palace wall. Seeing the handwriting, King Belshazzar was overwhelmed with fear, and his knees shook. He called for the astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers and said, “Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom,” however none was able to so.
Hearing the king’s and nobles’ apprehension, the queen went to King Belshazzar and highly recommended Daniel. She remembered Daniel as having the spirit and wisdom of the holy gods, capable of interpreting dreams, explaining riddles, and solving complex problems, and whom King Nebuchadnezzar made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers.
When Daniel, who was now probably in his eighties, was brought to King Belshazzar, he first questioned Daniel about his nationality. Then, he sought to flatter him before telling him the reason he was summoned. He told Daniel, “And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.” Daniel rejected the king’s gifts and promotion but was willing to give him the mysterious handwriting interpretation.
Before giving the interpretation, Daniel shared how God elevated King Nebuchadnezzar and made him great and feared among the nations and people. He told how Nebuchadnezzar’s pride caused the judgment of God to occur in his life, and consequently, his heart was made like the beast of the field, which he dwelt among until he realized that God was the sovereign ruler. Furthermore, Daniel accused Belshazzar of knowing what happened with his grandfather, yet he did not learn from it, for he committed blasphemy by treating the holy vessels with contempt and praising idol gods.
Daniel concluded with the interpretation of “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN,” the writing sent from God, which meant,” God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.” When Daniel completed talking, King Belshazzar placed on him a scarlet robe and a gold chain around his neck, and he made Daniel the third ruler of the kingdom
Historians have recorded that while the banquet was taking place, the Medes and Persians had entered the city through a canal that flowed under the walls by cutting off the water that flowed through it and diverting it to the Euphrates River. That night, the handwriting interpretation came to fruition, for King Belshazzar was slain by the invading army, and Darius the Median, at age sixty-two, became the king.
Here are the nuggets I gleaned from this chapter:
While some people are involved in revelry, others plot their demise.
Fatal decisions are often made while inebriated
Learn from the mistakes of others.
To live productively, humble yourself under the hand of God.
The spirit of God in you will cause people to remember you.
Though you may be the last one called into the room, your voice can be the most impactful.
God gives believers the ability to interpret His words.
God uses believers when they are young and when they are old.
History can be beneficial when used wisely.
Handling the things of God foolishly.can be detrimental.