Daniel 5

In , we almost get the sense that we have heard this story before. Just like in & 4, Daniel is able to do what he does and what the other wise men could not do because of the power of God. Belshazzar is now the king of Babylon and has much of the same problem with pride that Nebuchadnezzar had.

One of the challenges we faced with this account is that history did not record a king of the Babylonians names Belshazzar. The last king of the Babylonians was Nabonidus and he ruled until Cyrus conquered Babylon is 539 B.C. This was a major problem for a long time, even bringing some to believe this was an error in the Scriptures; however, in the 19th century some tablets were discovered and deciphered. These tablets spoke of a son of Nabonidus named Belshazzar who was in charge of Babylon during a 10 year absence by his father. Naturally, this man would be the acting “king”.

Apparently, Nabonidus was a worshipper of the moon god Sin. His devotion to the moon god angered the more prominent sect of Marduk followers. They liked forced him to leave Babylon and take of residence in a city called Teima, located in modern day Saudi Arabia. His son, Belshazzar, who didn’t share his father’s religious leaning was put in charge of Babylon. So, this explains why Belshazzar is not listed as a Babylonian king and yet the biblical text say that he was the one in charge, a king if you will, of Babylon.

1. Belshazzar’s Feast ()

A. Belshazzar throws a final party for the ruling class of Babylon. ()

Daniel 5:1 CSB

1 King Belshazzar held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine in their presence.

I say “final party” because at this point in history the Persians are literally knocking on the door of Babylon. The Persians had already defeated the Babylonians not 50 miles from Babylon. His father, Nabonidus, fled the battle, but did not return to Babylon, knowing what would happen next. Belshazzar knew an attack on Babylon was imminent. This is apparently, eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die. It was a diversion from the obvious. Maybe even to try and rally or inspire the leaders. Tension is definitely in the air.

I say “final party” because at this point in history the Persians are literally knocking on the door of Babylon. The Persians had already defeated the Babylonians not 50 miles from Babylon. His father, Nabonidus, fled the battle, but did not return to Babylon, knowing what would happen next. Belshazzar knew an attack on Babylon was imminent. This is apparently, eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die. It was a diversion from the obvious. Maybe even to try and rally or inspire the leaders. Tension is definitely in the air.

B. Belshazzar, under the influence of alcohol, ordered the vessels from the Temple be brought to the party. ()

Daniel 5:2 CSB

2 Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels that his predecessor Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, wives, and concubines could drink from them.

Why? Likely, to equate himself with the powerful Nebuchadnezzar. In his pride and vanity, he thought he would show his powerful over the God Nebuchadnezzar feared. His final act is like spitting in God’s eye.

C. The ruler of Babylon defiled the vessels. ()

Daniel 5:3–4 CSB

3 So they brought in the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, wives, and concubines drank from them. 4 They drank the wine and praised their gods made of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

Not only does he defile the vessels through profane use, but he also used them in idolatrous worship. Basically, he toasts his false gods with God’s holy vessels. After spitting in God’s eye, he expects his false gods to protect him.

2. The handwriting on the wall ()

A. The terrified Belshazzar watches as a supernatural, disembodied hand writes on the wall. ()

Daniel 5:5–6 CSB

5 At that moment the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and began writing on the plaster of the king’s palace wall next to the lampstand. As the king watched the hand that was writing, 6 his face turned pale, and his thoughts so terrified him that he soiled himself and his knees knocked together.

B. Belshazzar summons the wise men to interpret the message, but they cannot. ()

Daniel 5:7–9 CSB

7 The king shouted to bring in the mediums, Chaldeans, and diviners. He said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this inscription and gives me its interpretation will be clothed in purple, have a gold chain around his neck, and have the third highest position in the kingdom.” 8 So all the king’s wise men came in, but none could read the inscription or make its interpretation known to him. 9 Then King Belshazzar became even more terrified, his face turned pale, and his nobles were bewildered.

He offered them major incentives to interpret the message, but they are baffled by the inscription. At this point in the book of Daniel, we can’t help but think these are a bunch of bubbling idiots masquerading as wise men. Why they can’t figure out the meaning of what was written is not clear. Later we find out the inscription was written in Aramaic, but they couldn’t figure out the significance.

C. The queen mother, likely Nebuchadnezzar’s wife, informs Belshazzar of where he can find the answers. ()

Daniel 5:10–12 CSB

10 Because of the outcry of the king and his nobles, the queen came to the banquet hall. “May the king live forever,” she said. “Don’t let your thoughts terrify you or your face be pale. 11 There is a man in your kingdom who has a spirit of the holy gods in him. In the days of your predecessor he was found to have insight, intelligence, and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods. Your predecessor, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, mediums, Chaldeans, and diviners. Your own predecessor, the king, 12 did this because Daniel, the one the king named Belteshazzar, was found to have an extraordinary spirit, knowledge and intelligence, and the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems. Therefore, summon Daniel, and he will give the interpretation.”

We know she is of considerable influence in the kingdom because she chides Belshazzar for his lack of decorum, behaving in ways unfit for a king.

3. Daniel goes before the king ()

This is the third time Daniel is brought to give answers after the wise men fail.

A. Belshazzar addresses Daniel in a condescending manner. ()

Daniel 5:13–16 CSB

13 Then Daniel was brought before the king. The king said to him, “Are you Daniel, one of the Judean exiles that my predecessor the king brought from Judah? 14 I’ve heard that you have a spirit of the gods in you, and that insight, intelligence, and extraordinary wisdom are found in you. 15 Now the wise men and mediums were brought before me to read this inscription and make its interpretation known to me, but they could not give its interpretation. 16 However, I have heard about you that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Therefore, if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation, you will be clothed in purple, have a gold chain around your neck, and have the third highest position in the kingdom.”

Notice, that Belshazzar reminds Daniel of his place. He was nothing more than a Judean exile. Belshazzar is king and Daniel is his captive, not his advisor. Twice he says, “I have heard”. He has no confidence in Daniel or trust.

B. Daniel gives a stinging rebuke to Belshazzar ()

Daniel 5:17–24 CSB

17 Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts and give your rewards to someone else; however, I will read the inscription for the king and make the interpretation known to him. 18 Your Majesty, the Most High God gave sovereignty, greatness, glory, and majesty to your predecessor Nebuchadnezzar. 19 Because of the greatness he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages were terrified and fearful of him. He killed anyone he wanted and kept alive anyone he wanted; he exalted anyone he wanted and humbled anyone he wanted. 20 But when his heart was exalted and his spirit became arrogant, he was deposed from his royal throne and his glory was taken from him. 21 He was driven away from people, his mind was like an animal’s, he lived with the wild donkeys, he was fed grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with dew from the sky until he acknowledged that the Most High God is ruler over human kingdoms and sets anyone he wants over them. 22 “But you his successor, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this. 23 Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of the heavens. The vessels from his house were brought to you, and as you and your nobles, wives, and concubines drank wine from them, you praised the gods made of silver and gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or understand. But you have not glorified the God who holds your life-breath in his hand and who controls the whole course of your life. 24 Therefore, he sent the hand, and this writing was inscribed.

One of the Old Testament roles of a prophet was to serve as the conscience of the king. The prophets were there to remind the king of his place before God.

i. Daniel rejects Belshazzar’s offers.

Belshazzar really had nothing to give anyway. The Babylonian Empire was crumbling and he wasn’t really in charge anyway. He had no power or authority to give.

ii. Daniel reminds Belshazzar of the lessons Nebuchadnezzar had to learn.

iii. He rebukes Belshazzar for not learning from the mistakes of his predecessors.

iv. He rebukes Belshazzar for his pride and arrogance.

His sins go beyond that of his predecessors. Not only was he full of pride and arrogance, but also he profaned the vessels of God and used them in idolatrous worship. He directly confronted the power of God.

C. Daniel gives the interpretation of the writing on the wall. ()

Daniel 5:25–28 CSB

25 “This is the writing that was inscribed: Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. 26 This is the interpretation of the message: ‘Mene’ means that God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end. 27 ‘Tekel’ means that you have been weighed on the balance and found deficient. 28 ‘Peres’ means that your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

These are three different nouns. The first is repeated for emphasis. They are all units of money. It could be translated “mina, mina, shekel, and a half.” Daniel’s interpretation takes them and translates them as verbal forms. The verbal root of the word are translated as

Mene - numbered

Tekel - weighed

Peres - divided

Belshazzar was evaluated by God and found to be deficient. He would have to be punished. The Babylonian Empire had served God’s purpose and is now going to end. The time of the Medes and the Persians has come. It is interesting that we still use these phrases today. “Your time is up.” “Your days are numbered.” “The handwriting is on the wall.”

D. The interpretation is fulfilled ()

Daniel 5:29–30 CSB

29 Then Belshazzar gave an order, and they clothed Daniel in purple, placed a gold chain around his neck, and issued a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. 30 That very night Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans was killed,

A. Belshazzar rewards Daniel ()

B. Babylon is conquered ()

History records that it was during a night time feast Babylon was invaded and destroyed. Darius the Mede, likely a general for Cyrus, made the final raid on Babylon and killed Belshazzar. Once again, we are reminded that God is in control of all things. He takes blasphemy seriously. What are some modern day examples of blasphemy?