V. Belshazzar’s Feast and the Destruction of Babylon (Daniel 5:1-31)

V. Belshazzar’s Feast and the Destruction of Babylon (5:1-31)

5:1-4 The events of Daniel 5 occurred in 539 BC, the year—the very night, in fact—that the great Babylonian kingdom founded by Nebuchadnezzar fell to a coalition of the Medes and the Persians. By this time, Belshazzar was king (5:1). Nebuchadnezzar is called Belshazzar’s predecessor, which some translations render as “father” because the ancient world often used this term to refer to a man’s ancestors (5:2). In truth, Belshazzar was probably Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson. But, in any case, he was an unworthy heir to the throne. Even as Persian troops were besieging Babylon, Belshazzar threw a great feast, and in the process he took the gold vessels that had been seized by Babylon from the temple in Jerusalem and gave them to his party guests (5:2-3). The guests drank from them and praised their gods as they did (5:3-4).

5:5-9 Assuming Belshazzar knew of Nebuchadnezzar’s humiliation at the hands of God (see Dan 4), he certainly hadn’t learned from it. Rather, he showed his contempt for God’s holy vessels by treating them like bar mugs. From God’s perspective, this move was the last straw—both for the foolish king and his empire. The Lord began to write about Belshazzar’s doom on the palace wall, and the king literally lost control of his bowels out of fear (5:5-6). Like Nebuchadnezzar before him, though, the king promised reward to anyone who could interpret the inscription (5:7). But, his so-called wise men were fools (5:8).

5:10-16 By this time, the queen had come out from her chamber to calm the king (5:10). She knew what to do because she remembered Daniel’s past service to Neb-uchadnezzar (5:11-12), so Daniel was summoned and offered a lavish reward (5:13-16).

5:17-21 Daniel knew Belshazzar was a wicked king whom God had handed over to be judged, and Daniel wanted no part of his rewards (5:17). Nevertheless, Daniel had a message of judgment to deliver, preceded by a refresher course on the life of Nebuchadnezzar. He recounted how God had given Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty, greatness, glory, and majesty (5:18). But, when Nebuchadnezzar had become puffed up with pride, God humbled him until he acknowledged that the Most High God is ruler over human kingdoms (5:20-21).

5:22-24 The problem was, according to Daniel, that Belshazzar knew all this yet had not humbled [his] heart (5:22). Instead of praising the God who gave him breath and controlled his life, Belshazzar exalted [himself] against the Lord and praised lifeless idols (5:23). So, rather than repenting of the very things that had gotten his predecessor in trouble, Belshazzar had simply shaken his fist in God’s face.

5:25-31 After reviewing the king’s crimes against God, Daniel interpreted the writing on the wall (5:25). The words meant that Belshazzar’s reign had come to an end (5:26), he was deficient in God’s sight (5:27), and his kingdom had been given to the Medes and Persians (5:28). Belshazzar rewarded and honored Daniel as he promised (5:29). But, we soon learn that honoring a servant of the Most High God was the last official act of this king. The fulfillment of the words was not long in coming. That very night Belshazzar . . . was killed, and Darius the Mede received the kingdom (5:30-31).

This story is so famous that the expression, “he can see the writing on the wall,” has become a proverb meaning that a person can see what’s coming in his future, that he understands his fate. And while it was too late for Belshazzar to change course, it’s not too late for you. If you have a heart filled with pride, turn to the Lord in repentance, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (Jas 4:6).