King Belshazzar’s Banquet

Daniel 5:1–12
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There is a 36-year time gap between chapters 4 and 5. Nebuchadnezzar had been dead over 30 years and his grandson, Belshazzar sat on the throne of Babylon as co-ruler with his father, King Nabonidus, who was often absent, fighting Babylon’s enemies. With the city currently under siege by the Medes and the Persians, Belshazzar had invited 1,000 of his government officials to attend a night of feasting and drinking (v. 1). Belshazzar must have felt confident that Babylon could never be captured. It was surrounded by a moat, deep and wide. Its walls were 304 feet high and 76 feet thick, extending around a 55-mile perimeter. It had 100 bronze gates and 250 watchtowers. This city had not fallen to an invading army in over 1,000 years. Belshazzar’s own name would have been a source of confidence for him. Belshazzar = “Bel (or Marduk) has Protected the King”. 

The feast reached a new level of wickedness, when Belshazzar commanded that the sacred vessels (which Nebuchadnezzar had carried from the temple in Jerusalem) should be brought to be used as drinking vessels (v. 3). As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone (v. 4).

God immediately spoke in judgment, writing on the wall (v. 5). The hilarity of the party gave way to sudden hushed fear (v. 6). Belshazzar’s countenance was changed from happiness to dreadful fear. He was so terrified that his knees knocked together. God can bring low the proudest sinner in a moment. The king called for all his wise men, but none could read or interpret the mysterious handwriting (vv. 7-8). This only made Belshazzar more terrified, and his face grew paler (v. 9). At that point the queen (thought to be his mother, the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar) appeared and suggested Daniel as an interpreter (vv. 10-12). 

Application

It is very easy for me to feel secure in my way of life to the point I think I could never fall (I Corinthians 10:12). I must remember that it is only the Lord and His grace that will keep me from falling. My security is only in the Lord.