DANIEL: GOD’S FAITHFUL PROPHET Chapter 5 Belshazzar’s Feast and God’s Judgment

A. Belshazzar's arrogant misuse of holy vessels (1-4)

Daniel 5:1-4 Who is King Belshazzar?

Since the text jumps from King Nebuchadnezzar to King Belshazzar we need some reliable information. From secular history we find that Belshazzar ruled as a co-regent with King Nabonidas (549-539 BC) after Nebuchadnezzar's departure (562 BC). Little is known about him, aside from this impious feast. He was a poor ruler and was soon driven out of power.

The banquet is a royal feast. Belshazzar liked his liquor. It is the consensus of commentators that he was in a drunken stupor when he commanded that the holy vessels of the Temple of Jerusalem be brought to the hall where the feast was in progress.

According to Jewish law, it was sacrilege to remove the sacred vessels from the temple and even a greater sin to use them for other than holy purposes. To compound the sacrilege he commanded that all who drank from the vessels worship the images of the gods who were displayed in the hall.

B. Handwriting on the wall and the king's terror (5-9) Daniel 5:5-9 The handwriting on the wall.

The incident recorded in these verses is the origin of a phrase common in our culture: "he should have seen the handwriting on the wall!"

Note that the handwriting was in the plaster which enabled all to see it clearly. The message was not only for the king, but for all who participated in the sacrilege.

The message brought a look of horror to the face of Belshazzar. The language used to describe Belshazzar's physical reaction is descriptive. He is scared. He calls his royal soothsayers. Again, as Nebuchadnezzar did with the magicians and astrologers in Chapter 2, Belshazzar attempts to do here.

C. Request of the helpless world ruler to the man of God (10-16) Daniel 5:10-12 The drama unfolds rapidly!

The queen mother enters and instructs Belshazzar to call for Daniel. No doubt she remembered what Daniel had done to solve Nebuchadnezzar's problem.

Daniel 5:13-16 Belshazzar speaks to Daniel and asks for the interpretation.

He makes the same offer to Daniel as he made to the other soothsayers. He is also forced to acknowledge that Daniel was being assisted by His God, the true God. D. Judgment of God against the proud king (17-28)

Daniel 5:17-23 The handwriting is on the wall for Belshazzar!

Daniel answers the king, but refuses to accept the reward he offers. He recounts how God had made Nebuchadnezzar great. He also reminds Belshazzar about Nebuchadnezzar's downfall because of his pride. The reminder is followed by a rebuke--he would receive punishment because he refused to humble himself before the True and only God.

Daniel 5:24-28 Daniel tells the king the meaning of the handwriting on the wall.

The phrase, "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN," is made up of three Aramaic words. These words mean: "Numbered," "Weighed," and "Divided."

First, Daniel tells Belshazzar that Belshazzar's days are numbered. From secular history we learn that the Persians killed Belshazzar, when they overtook Babylon.

Second, Daniel says the second word referred to God's judgment of Belshazzar. The idea of weighing things often has the meaning of judgment. Our courts of law use the symbol of the balance scale to show this concept. Belshazzar's deeds were weighed and were found to be wanting and lacking. This called for punishment.

Third, the word, "Divided," announced that Belshazzar's kingdom would be divided between the Medes and the Persians.

The three Aramaic words are all linguistic puns on weights used during this ancient time.

This episode warned Belshazzar of impending doom. Since he refused to repent and to turn to the True God, his kingdom would come to an end. This is the judgment of God upon hard-hearted sinners.

E. Honoring of Daniel and the slaying of Belshazzar (29-31)

Daniel 5:29-31 Daniel is honored. Belshazzar is slain.

Belshazzar gives Daniel royal clothes and proclaims him as a third co-regent of Babylon. But alas, the reign of King Belshazzar ended abruptly that very night! The Persians attacked and Belshazzar died in the battle.

Darius the Mede became the new king of the former Babylonian Empire. He was 62 years old.

The rest of the Book of Daniel takes place during the rule of Median and Persian kings. In chapter 6 we will see King Darius play a key role in Daniel’s life.