Daniel 5 Belshazzar’s Judgment

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

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In Daniel 5, we see a stark difference between King Nebuchadnezzar’s response to God’s humbling of him and what occurs with his grandson, Belshazzar.

Daniel 5:1-4 explains the problem. Belshazzar had a feast with a huge celebration for his lords. Wine flowed and under the influence of the alcohol, Belshazzar ordered the vessels from the Jewish Temple be brought and used during the feast. Not only did they drink out of them, but they praised the gods of “gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone” (v 4).

In Daniel 5:5-9 we see God’s reaction in the form of a disembodied hand (just fingers) that appeared and wrote specific words on the wall across from Belshazzar. The king becomes troubled (v 6) and who wouldn’t? The Bible tells us that “his hips were loosened and his knees knocked against each other” – he becomes petrified. The king ordered the wise men/counselors to come and explain the phenomenon.

Daniel 5:5-9 sees Belshazzar’s reaction to the situation. King Belshazzar promises person who can read and understand the words to be clothed in purple, given gold and made third ruler of kingdom (v 7). All the wise men try but fail (v 8). Belshazzar is beside himself with fear and worry and the queen enters and reminds Belshazzar of Daniel. By the way, this is probably the Queen Mother, Nebuchadnezzar’s surviving wife, not Belshazzar’s wife/wives who were already at the banquet.

Daniel 5:10-12 the Queen reminds Belshazzar of Daniel. Hard to believe Belshazzar was not aware of Daniel (Belteshazzar) and the king had probably chosen to ignore him, favoring his own wise men and counselors instead. The queen encourages Belshazzar to call for Daniel who will reveal the mystery of the writing. Notice her confidence in Daniel’s ability to solve the mystery.

Daniel 5:13-16 we see Daniel brought to Belshazzar. Belshazzar admits he’d “heard” of Daniel and promises Daniel the same thing he promised his wise men (v 16).

In Daniel 5:17-21 Daniel explains a number of things to Belshazzar. Daniel refuses Belshazzar’s gifts – he’s not interested and then Daniel recounts Nebuchadnezzar’s history and God’s blessing of him (vv 18-19). Daniel also tells of Nebuchadnezzar’s pride leading to his temporary fall (vv 20-21). Daniel then reminds Belshazzar of his own pride and the fact that he understood what happened to his grandfather, Nebuchadnezzar. He was familiar with that situation. He knew what had happened and why, but he chose to allow his pride to rise to the surface and control his thoughts and actions.

Daniel 5:22-24 tells us more about Belshazzar’s actions and outlook. In spite of what Belshazzar knew to be true, Daniel reminds Belshazzar he ignored all of what God did to Nebuchadnezzar. Belshazzar’s pride prompted his actions against God (v 23). He used the holy vessels and drank from them and he praised the gods of wood, stone, silver and gold, etc. These “gods” are nothing and cannot see or hear, yet Belshazzar ignored the only God because of pride.

In Daniel 5:22-24 we see Belshazzar failed to give glory to God because of his immense pride. Belshazzar’s life was in God’s hand yet he did not consider it. God sent His judgment in the form of writing as a warning of what would be (v 24). God did not have to tell Belshazzar what He was going to do but I believe He did so for the sake of Nebuchadnezzar and his own response of humility to God years before.

In Daniel 5:25-28 we learn Belshazzar does what he promises and gives Daniel:

• Purple clothing
• Gold
• Third ruler of kingdom

I doubt that Daniel was impressed with any of this and likely knew he would not become third ruler under Belshazzar because the kingdom would be taken from Belshazzar and given to another.

In Daniel 5:30-31 we see the results of Belshazzar’s Fall. That very night, Darius the Mede slays Belshazzar. Apparently, the Persians diverted the water from the Euphrates River that flowed through Babylon. The Persians were then able to simply walk into Babylon on the river bed and climb the unprotected walls. The Babylonians under Belshazzar thought their city impenetrable and were unaware of what had happened until it was too late.

Daniel 5:31 introduces Darius the Mede who is roughly 62 years old when God gave him the Babylonian Kingdom. Babylon represents the world and how it often ignores and even blasphemes God. The day of judgment is coming when God will pour out His wrath onto this world (7 year Tribulation of Revelation 6-18). Just as Babylon fell on the 16th day of Tishri (Oct 11 or 12), 539 BC, so will the world be overtaken by complete disaster when the day of the Lord comes (1 Thess 5:1-3).

The Day of the Lord is generally understood to be that extended period of time starting with the Tribulation, including all events of the 2nd Coming of Christ and the Millennial Kingdom on earth (see Joel). In 1 Thess 5:1-3, Paul focuses on the beginning of that day, which begins unexpectedly like a thief in the night.

Daniel 5 highlights the fact that pride is our downfall and if we are not careful, it will take us down. God saw something redeemable in Nebuchadnezzar and He knew that humbling Nebuchadnezzar would have the chosen effect. God knew that Belshazzar was not redeemable and an attempt to humble him would have no effect. Belshazzar was judged, found wanting and killed with the kingdom was given to another.

Any one of us can be overcome with pride and lack humility. We can dig in and make our situation worse leaving God no choice. 1 Corinthians 11:30 explains what can happen to Christians who continue in sin/pride – God may choose to take them home early. We must always guard our hearts and recognize that sin through pride is never far away.

Proverbs 28:14 – How blessed is the man who fears always, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity

Zechariah 7:12 – They made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore great wrath came from the Lord of hosts.

Psalm 51:17 – The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective