A Lesson from King Belshazzar

It was going to be a party to end all parties. The host knew he had thought of everything. There was more than enough food, much to drink, stunning decorations, and some outstanding entertainment. Everybody who was somebody was going to be there. 

The party was underway. Everything was going better than he ever expected. The wine was good, the food was delicious, and the girls were beautiful. Then he had an idea. The best idea he had ever had. The host ordered, “Go and get the gold and silver vessels that my father took from the temple.” When they were brought to him, he and his guests began to drink from them. It was as if he and his guest were saying, “We’ve defeated the God of Israel. Our gods are stronger and better than their God. Let’s rub it in their faces.” 

That was when the party to end all parties came to a screeching halt. Suddenly, the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and began to write on the wall. The host’s face lost all color and his thoughts alarmed him. He became so alarmed he couldn’t stand up and his knees began to bump together. Scared beyond human belief, he said, “Go and get the wise men.” He promised them clothes of purple, a necklace of gold, the third highest place in the kingdom, if they could interpret the writing, but they could not interpret the message the hand had written on the wall. 

Then he became even more alarmed. At this point, the queen entered the room and gave some bad advice. She said, “Don’t let your thoughts alarm you.” Instead, “Go and get this man I know. He has the Spirit of God. He has great insight and wisdom. King Nebuchadnezzar made him the chief of all magicians and diviners. His name is Daniel.” 

Now it is believed that Daniel was more than eighty years old when he was sent for. One thing for us to note is: don’t be quick to throw us old goats out yet. We may have just the answer you need. Daniel came and, with wisdom beyond anything men could understand, he interpreted the message for the King. The message was “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin.” This is what God meant: 

Your days are numbered. King Belshazzar, God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it. This makes me think of the passage in 1 Peter 4:17-18: 

For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? (NASB) 

Just like Belshazzar learned that his days were numbered, so are ours. Many times, the judgment of God comes when people least expect it. Examples from Scripture include the rich fool in Luke 12:20, Ananias and Sapphire in Acts 5, the men and women in the days of Noah, and the men and women who lived in Sodom and Gomorrah. 

Today God’s wrath falls quickly on many people. Sometimes I confess I wonder about the natural disasters that fall on our world. Tornadoes, hurricanes, storms, and other catastrophes that hit our nation. Could this be God trying to get our attention? Could this be God calling us to repentance? 

In my studies I have found that many times God’s judgment is preceded by God’s warning. Galatians 3:27 says, “Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, this he will reap.” Similarly, Romans 1:18-20 seems to be a clear warning to us of God’s wrath. We never know when our time to leave this world will happen, so we must be ready. 

Daniel also told King Belshazzar, “You have been weighed and found wanting.” There is a great void left in this nation by ungodliness. One definition of the word wanting is “lacking in moral worth.” This feeling of wanting comes as a direct result of leaving God out our lives. If you read this account in Daniel 5, you will find people who had no regard for the holy things of God. They drank from the vessels that were holy to God. 

In some congregations today, we have taken the holy things of God and are using them in an ungodly way. Some have done away with the Lord’s Supper or have no sincere regard for what God’s Word says. Many treat the church as if it has no greater significance than the coffee house down the street. 

Daniel finally told the King, “You’ve lost your kingdom.” We too are in danger if we neglect righteousness, holiness, reverence, and the fear of God. When Belshazzar heard all that Daniel said he could not have cared less. He didn’t repent, he didn’t pray, he didn’t bow in reverence and seek God’s forgiveness. He just kept partying on. 

Like Belshazzar of old, we hear God’s words and read them in the pages of Scripture. But unlike King Belshazzar, we must be diligent to heed the words of God. That very night Belshazzar was slain. He lost all he had. That night he met God. That is a frightful thought. It could happen to me; it could happen to you; it could happen to any of us. God does not play with His words. He warns us what will happen to us. If you choose to go on with your sinful life, you will answer to God, just like Belshazzar did. 

The good news is we have hope. We can repent, turn to God, and seek His forgiveness. While we are alive, we can turn things around. Even if our days are short, they can be filled with service to God and His Kingdom. We can fill our wanting with the love of God. We can save everything we have, not on this earth, but in the life to come. 

God bless you. See you next month.