Belshazzar was king (Daniel 5:1, 30; 7:1; 8:1; Jeremiah 27:7), but actually a coregent king with his father, Nabonidus, who had married a daughter of Nebuchadnezzar. Thus, he was a son [grandson] of Nebuchadnezzar. However, as Cyrus’ army was stationed about the city walls, Belshazzar raised his goblet in defiance of Jehovah; little did he know how soon all his power and wealth would be gone. Boasting one day, gone the next! Consider Daniel Chapter 5.
The Ball (5:1). The drunken feast revealed Belshazzar’s moral debauchery. Solomon was right: “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; and whosoever erreth thereby is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1). We are reminded of Ahasuerus (Esther 1:9-12) and Herod (Matthew 14:1-12). Thus, when the world throws a wild party, the child of God does not attend. We must remain pure (James 1:27).
The Gall (5:2-4). Belshazzar openly mocked God by drinking from the sacred vessels and blasphemed God by using the vessels in idolatrous worship. He committed the sin of sacrilege, something with which few people are concerned today. Christians respect that which is sacred (e.g., worship, heaven, baptism, Lord’s Supper, Bible, God, Christ, Holy Spirit, etc.).
The Wall (5:5-6). Suddenly a message appeared to Belshazzar, causing extreme fright. The feast of licentiousness became suddenly a feast of gloom and consternation. How quickly male bravado and boasting wilts in the presence of the Lord (cf. Felix, Acts 25:25; Jeremiah 38:19-24; Acts 5:1-11).
The Call (5:7-16). Belshazzar calls for someone to interpret the message. Daniel was the man with experience (2:25ff; cf. Proverbs 16:18; Genesis 40-41). All others in the kingdom were unable to do what Daniel did. Belshazzar initially went to the wrong source for counsel; many do that today (Psalm 1:1-2). We must seek the one called “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
The Fall (5:17-31). Daniel announced God’s judgment. Each word stands for a short sentence. Mene signifies numeration; tekel, weighing and peres, division. God had Belshazzar’s number, and it fell short; God weighed Belshazzar, and he came up light; God divided Belshazzar’s kingdom between the Medes and Persians. How quickly the proud and boastful fall in spite of their wealth and power (cf. Luke 12:15-21).
The conclusion is clear. We must heed the writing of Jesus to avoid eternal punishment.
