The Old Testament takes us through a complex history of God and his people, the nation with whom he made a covenant. While establishing the covenant, God makes astounding promises about abundance, peace, and redemption. Unfortunately, Israel continually fails to obey and remain faithful. Part of the Mosaic covenant promised consequences for Israel if they disobeyed and worshipped other gods. We see God fulfill his word, exiling his people from the Promised Land and Jerusalem, culminating with being conquered by Babylon and King Nebuchadnezzar.
However, despite the Jewish failure and continued rebellion, God remained in control. And the Lord remained faithful to his promise to bless all nations through the descendants of Abraham, ultimately one: Jesus Christ. The Bible records story after story of God maintaining and sustaining his redemptive story even while disciplining and correcting the Jews during times of exile.
One such story happens in Daniel 5 with King Belshazzar. Although not as famous as Nebuchadnezzar, God’s encounter with Belshazzar still teaches us important things about God’s character and his faithfulness, even when we suffer consequences for rebellion.
What is the Story of King Belshazzar?
Belshazzar was the final king over Babylon before the empire fell to the Medes and Persians. His name likely means “Bel, protect the king.” Bel (Marduk) was the primary Babylonian god. While a king, he co-ruled with his father, Nabonidus.
In the days of Nebuchadnezzar, Judah had turned away from God despite continual warnings from prophets like Jeremiah. Nebuchadnezzar finally conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple in 586 BC. The King of Babylon took the treasures from the temple as a sign that he conquered both Judah and Judah’s God. He placed these sacred vessels from God’s Temple in the house of his gods.
Belshazzar wasn’t Nebuchadnezzar’s direct successor but the son of Nabonidus, the last official king of Babylon. Nabonidus traveled the empire, spending most of his time away from the capital, so he left Belshazzar to govern in his stead. Belshazzar held the same kingly authority, although he was technically second in command. This is why Belshazzar offers to make Daniel the third ruler for interpreting the handwriting on the wall, since Nabonidus was first and Belshazzar second.
The Babylonian Empire ended the night Belshazzar died and the Medes and Persians overthrew the kingdom. His story becomes a warning for leaders and an example of God’s faithfulness to his people, despite their sin.
What Happened to King Belshazzar?
In Daniel 5, Belshazzar hosted a huge banquet for his nobles, wives, and concubines. As they got drunk on wine, he had his servants bring him the gold and silver vessels from the Jerusalem Temple. He then used these vessels as part of their revelry, an open and prideful mockery of God and the Jews. Belshazzar and his guests drank wine from the vessels while worshipping their false gods.
In the ancient world, gods were always associated with a people and their land. When one nation defeated another, they believed one god had conquered the other. Belshazzar openly challenged the God of Israel and showed no respect for the Most High.
Of course, Belshazzar hadn’t been the one to conquer anyone. He assumed power by birth. Furthermore, God had humbled Nebuchadnezzar, conveniently forgotten by Belshazzar in this story. While God gave Judah consequences, he continued to establish himself as Lord of lords.
In the middle of Belshazzar’s celebration, a supernatural hand appeared and started writing on the wall of the palace. This sight terrified Belshazzar and all in attendance. The inscription read “mene, mene, tekel, parsin.” The king didn’t understand the divine message, so he called for the “wise men” of Babylon—the enchanters and astrologers—but they couldn’t interpret it.
At this point, the queen reminded Belshazzar of Daniel, a man known for his ability to interpret such visions and dreams. From her advice, the king brought Daniel before him and offered the greatest reward (third ruler of Babylon) if Daniel could explain the meaning.
Daniel refused the gifts, especially since he understood the temporary situation of Babylon. Also, Daniel was a righteous man and not able to be bribed. Daniel agreed to interpret the message out of compassion and truth.
First, however, he rebuked Belshazzar. Boldly, he reminded the king how God had humbled Nebuchadnezzar’s pride. Belshazzar hadn’t learned but instead exalted himself above God by using the vessels in such an abominable fashion. Therefore, God’s writing spoke judgment. Daniel explained the message.
Mene meant “God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.” By writing “mene” twice, it further affirmed the judgment. Tekel translated to “you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.” Parsin (or peres) meant “your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” God’s message was simple: Babylon’s time was up, Belshazzar would be judged for his pride and sin, and the kingdom would fall to the Medes and Persians.
As a result, the Bible records how Belshazzar was killed when the Persian army entered and conquered Babylon.
Why Was God’s Message to King Belshazzar Important?
The Old Testament prophets (especially Jeremiah) repeatedly expressed how God raised up Babylon as a tool for himself. Therefore, he also decided when the empire would fall.
The Babylonian Empire ended in one night because of Belshazzar’s arrogance. In its place, the Persian Empire and Cyrus the Great ruled over the Jews. In contrast to Babylon, Cyrus acted with more respect and compassion to God’s people, Israel. The Bible implies how God blessed Cyrus because of his justice and favor toward the Jews.
Even though on the surface, it seemed Babylon was the conqueror and victor, they still existed under the power and authority of God. In fact, God could discipline his people, the Jews, because of his sovereignty, and if he gave consequences to his own covenant people for their idolatry and perversion, he would do the same to any nation. God remained in complete control and still deserved worship from all people, even the Babylonians.
Nebuchadnezzar had once believed in his own greatness, making similar foolish and arrogant decisions, but God drove him to madness for a season to humble him. At the end, Nebuchadnezzar had to declare the God of the Jews ruled over all kingdoms (Daniel 4:25). In essence, the King of Babylon acknowledged the God of a conquered people, the Jews, had true might and authority over himself and his gods, a phenomenal statement for the ancient day.
Belshazzar refused to humble himself, not learning from several encounters between Nebuchadnezzar and God (including the three young Jewish men and the fiery furnace). He and the whole empire paid the price for pride.
The prophets also declare how God determines the rise and fall of leaders and nations. The whole history of Israel begins with God personally judging the Egyptians who enslaved his people. In the days of Moses, Egypt had existed as the most powerful nation in the world, yet God himself humbled them for their idolatry, sin, and pride. As Pharoah hardened his own heart and refused to let the Hebrews worship the only God worthy of glory, God brought down the whole nation and wiped out the Egyptian army.
Babylon was no different. Despite being the most powerful empire in the world with the greatest army, God overturned their rule in a single night. God alone rules over history, and he is the only one worthy of glory and worship.
At the same time, he revealed himself through a man, Daniel, continuing to save a people for himself to sustain his redemptive story and lineage of Christ. In his sovereignty, his love continues to work for redemption and salvation.
What Can We Learn from God’s Interaction with King Belshazzar?
First, God’s people and his Temple remained sacred. Even though Judah had been conquered and the Temple destroyed, God still considered the Jews his people and his holy vessels as sacred. Belshazzar mocked it all—God, his people, and his worship. However, God revealed how his power and holiness didn’t depend upon human or temporary circumstances.
No matter how difficult our situation might be, God never abandons us. Even if we suffer the consequences of our own sin and life seems chaotic, we should continue to praise and worship him. Our current circumstance doesn’t define God’s power, change his love, or abort his plan. He is still holy, and he calls his people to remain set apart for himself. We must also remain faithful, knowing the Father will prove his redemption in time through his Son.
Second, God reigns supreme over all nations, leaders, and powers. Belshazzar looked at the situation of Babylon and Judah and assumed his position and power, even over God. God and Daniel supernaturally declared God’s sovereignty over all. The Lord allowed Babylon’s rise and would enact its fall.
In our modern world, political statements abound on social media, people of different party persuasions decrying or supporting different positions or leaders. However, the truth of Daniel’s day remains. We don’t make the rulers, even in a democratic system where we vote. No government, ruler, or power operates separate from God’s authority. He raises up leaders and removes them according to his will. We shouldn’t fear world events or new leaders. Christians should speak for truth and righteousness but rest in the knowledge that God’s hand is always at work. His purposes always prevail.
Third, God holds all people accountable. He gave the Jews the consequences he promised them. And he did the same with Babylon and every other nation that ever existed or will exist. God’s message to Belshazzar included a measuring, a weighing, a judgment of his worth and character. God gives power and privilege and also holds us accountable.
This goes for all people. God will judge everyone, from the small to the great. No one escapes his justice. The proud will be humbled, and he will condemn the wicked. At the same time, if we can trust his judgment as definitive, we can also trust his salvation through Christ. If we trust and obey him, he will work all things out for our good, no matter the rulers or nation (Romans 8:28).
Finally, God worked on his peoples' behalf to restore them and continue to enact his redemptive story. The Persian Empire conquered Babylon, and Cyrus treated the Jews with kindness, allowing them to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple (Ezra 1).
God is always working, even when we don’t understand the immediate situation or see his activity. He will fulfill his promises to his people and shift circumstances for our eternal benefit. His timing is perfect and complete to accomplish his will. Like Daniel did with Belshazzar, we must reject the empty promises of this world and faithfully speak God’s Word to invite all people into Christ’s saving work and the Father’s redemptive purpose.
Peace.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Annie Spratt
