BY BRUCE GREEN
OPINION —
In Daniel 5, we’ve moved forward an indeterminate amount of time. Chapter 4 takes place during Nebuchadnezzar’s reign (which ended in 562 BC). Chapter 5 takes place the night the Medo-Persians come to power (539 BC), so we know at least 23 years have transpired. Despite this chronological gap, the two chapters from a couplet of sorts as Daniel makes it clear that the reason for Belshazzar’s and Babylon’s fall is the king’s failure to acknowledge God — even though he knew about what had transpired with Nebuchadnezzar (see v. 22ff).
The banquet Belshazzar gives for a thousand of his nobles is something along the lines of a pep rally as they prepare for a Medo-Persian attack on Babylon. Babylon is a well-fortified, walled city and it’s entirely possible the revelers are confident they will prevail against this challenge. In this context, Belshazzar’s order for the goblets taken from the temple at Jerusalem and their drinking of wine is much more than simple drinking — it is a reminder to everyone of Babylon’s past military success against Judah and symbolizes the “control” over Yahweh they think the Babylonian gods have. By doing this, Daniel tells him, “You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways” (v. 23).
Big mistake!
While they are in the midst of their derision of God, a mysterious hand appears and begins writing on the wall. No one can provide him with the meaning of the words until the queen remembers Daniel. He is brought in and reminds the king of what happened to Nebuchadnezzar and how he correspondingly humbled himself. He tells Belshazzar he had not humbled himself — “Though you knew all this” (v. 22). “Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven” (v. 23). Not a smart thing to do and now it will cost him his kingdom and his life. Belshazzar is killed that night as the Medo-Persians come to power.
Here are five things we learn from Belshazzar.
God gave Belshazzar opportunity. Per the book of Daniel, no one comes to power on their own — God is responsible for the rise and fall of kings (1:2, 2:21, 37-38, 4:25, 32, 34-35). Belshazzar had the opportunity and motive (from knowing Nebuchadnezzar’s history) to do the right thing and humbly rule. But he chose not to.
In his best moments, he ignored God. He followed his culture rather than His Creator and praised the gods of Babylon (v. 4).
In his worst moments, he mocked God. In a desperate moment, he didn’t turn to God, he taunted Him by taking the temple treasures and using them to celebrate the gods of Babylon. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7).
He paid for it dearly. He lost it all. The Queen’s, “May the king live forever” (v. 10) was a waste of words. The king had determined his own fate.
He became a cautionary tale.
God gives us all many, many opportunities to follow and serve Him. But they are not unlimited. As was the case with Belshazzar, there will one day be an accounting (see Acts 17:30-31). The choice is ours; we can be a Daniel or a Belshazzar.
You can find more of Green’s writings at his website: a-taste-of-grace-with-bruce-green.com
Find more of Green’s writings at his website: a-taste-of-grace-with-bruce-green