Tuesday: Belshazzar’s Feast
Daily Lesson for Tuesday 24th of June 2025
After the city of Nineveh had been humbled (612 b.c.) by a coalition army that included both Medes and Babylonians (led by Nebuchadnezzar’s father), the city of Babylon experienced a revival, the likes of which the city had not seen since the days of Hammurabi, their great lawgiver. Under Nebuchadnezzar, who was now free from the problem of Assyrian raids, the city of Babylon grew in wealth and influence to the point where the neighboring nations had little choice but to grudgingly acknowledge her dominance. She was queen of the world, and nations who wished to prosper declared their loyalty to her.
Meanwhile, as far as we can tell, Nebuchadnezzar died as a believer, professing that Daniel’s God was, indeed, the rightful ruler of all nations (Daniel 4:34-37). The next account that Daniel provides is that of his successor, the vice-regent Belshazzar.
Read Daniel 5:1-31. What important spiritual messages can we take from this account? What ultimately tripped up Belshazzar?
Image © Lifeway Collection at Goodsalt.com
Perhaps the saddest, most tragic part of this account is found in Daniel 5:22. After recounting to the king the downfall and then the restoration of Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel says to him, “ ‘But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this’ ” (NKJV). That is, though he had the opportunity to know truth, though he might have even witnessed firsthand what happened to Nebuchadnezzar, he chose to ignore these events and, instead, embarked on the same course that brought his predecessor so much trouble.
As Nebuchadnezzar had done by erecting the golden statue, Belshazzar was openly defying what Daniel’s God had predicted. By using the temple vessels in a profane manner, he was likely underscoring the fact that Babylon had conquered the Jews and now possessed their God’s religious articles. In other words, they still had supremacy over this God who had predicted their demise.
It was, indeed, an act of total defiance, even though Belshazzar had more than enough evidence, proof, to know better. He had enough head knowledge to know the truth; the problem, instead, was his heart. In the last days, as the final crisis breaks upon the world, people will be given the opportunity to know the truth, as well. What determines their choice, as with Belshazzar, will be their hearts.
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A Lesson from Belshazzar's Fall
The story of King Belshazzar offers us a solemn and unique lesson. We may not have, like Belshazzar, taken the sacred vessels of the Lord to toast idols of wood and stone, as much we are not without guilt for this. However, in different ways, we have dishonored the God of heaven. We have used His gifts for our selfish purposes, placed our trust in the things of this world, and often lived as though God were not watching our dealings and actions.
Belshazzar knew how God dealt with his grandfather Nebuchadnezzar he knew opportunities given, he knew of the Lord's kindness and saving grace, however he ignored the same saving grace. We have received much light and saving grace yet we hardened our hearts? We may not see a hand writing on the wall of our homes, but the message is our actions are being recorded and above all on a weighing scale! “You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting.”
Daniel 5:27 (NKJV)
The same God who pronounced judgement to Belshazzar is still on His throne omniscient, just, and patient, but not indifferent to sin. The time is coming when each of us will be weighed in the balances of divine justice. What will be found? Will we be like Belshazzar—found wanting? “For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:14 (NKJV). Let us not wait for a crisis to awaken us. Let us now humble ourselves before God, give Him the glory due His name, and live in reverent obedience. For the God who holds our breath in His hands is also the One who offers us mercy, restoration, and eternal life—if we will turn to Him while there is still time.
Amen.
God cannot wink away arrogance and proud. We cannot mock and treat God as a commoner! "You his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this” (Daniel 5:22, NKJV). Literally, Belshazzar dismissed God and the outcome was swift. It is a profound warning to us believers in the end-time to stubbornly cherish the truth that we know. We will not escape judgment on the grounds of ignorance.
Though we have used God gifts carelessly sometimes. The good news is that yes, we should humble ourselves, and we should ask for forgiveness on a daily basis. I have formed a habit of praying, the Lord's prayer on a daily basis Matthew 6:9-13, 1 John 1:9, Psalm 52:7.
"Matt. 6:12. And forgive us as we have forgiven others. Matt. 6.13. Do not leave us alone when our loyalty to you is tested. Help us overcome every temptation which the evil one brings against us. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours forever. Amen."
The Clear Word paraphrase has answered my life long question? What about "lead us not into temptation?"
When we read that "now rose a new king who knew nothing about Joseph" in Exodus 1:8, we tend to sympathise with him given that there was no printing press and history was poorly passed over orally. But hey, did he really not know about Joseph? Not really. He knew all about him but he willfully forgot (2 Peter 3:5). The lesson ends by speaking about head knowledge. Belshazzar had the head knowledge but willfully forgot.
Majority of us are in the same state as of Belshazzar,the only difference is we have learnt how to cover it up.
I may know the truth but have I accepted it?
The Babylonian empire ended with a fizzle. They did not believe in elections in those days and when one generation passed away, there was often a bit of a kerfuffle to sort out who in the next generation was the most powerful. The previous king, Labashi-Marduk was murdered, and Nabonidus eventually became the ruler in a conspiracy where Belshazzar played a part. With it came changes in gods and religion. There is evidence to suggest that Nabonidus wanted to return to the Moon God, Sin, While Belshazzar wanted to return to the ancient supreme god, Marduk. Belshazzar was Nabonidus's son and possibly the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar on his mother's side. At the time of the feast, Nabonidus was still king but was absent in Arabia, and Belshazzar was the vice-regent of Babylon. While all this was happening, the Achaemenid army (we call it the Medo-Persian army), led by Cyrus, was taking over parts of the Babylonian empire.
With that background, we see the events of the feast carried out in times of serious political instability. Belshazzar is depicted as thumbing his nose at the Jewish God, probably in an attempt to show strength in the face of the enemy.
Today, Christianity has to contend with a complicated international and national political scene. There are two things we need to keep in mind:
Like Daniel, we need to keep our focus on Jesus rather than be lost in the sea of confusion.
Thank you, Maurice — I really appreciate this concise overview of the historical context surrounding Belshazzar's reign. Understanding the background is so valuable, as it reveals how God’s hand is at work behind the scenes.
Who holds power, and what shifts occur during times of national turmoil — all of it is ultimately directed to fulfill God’s plan to establish His Kingdom on earth. Knowing this brings a deep sense of peace and reassurance.
As creatures, although it seems that only humans can defeat instinct and emotions with reason, what may determine our final fate is our hearts. "For where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also."(Mathew 6:21, AMP)
Thanks for the explanation you helped me more to understand it
I’m confused: In one breath, Christianity tells me that salvation is a personal choice. In the next breath, Christianity tells me that God judges my actions and will dole out punishment.
Could it be that our actions solidify (harden) our heart (character)? Could His judgement be one of release, agreement, resignation? Could it be that on that very final day, Christ/God/HS will stop covering His full glory and those that choose not to reflect His glory will choose to give up their life spirit? Is it not the choice we make every time we’re asked: trust God or don’t?
Isaiah 33:14-15 (BSB) … Who of us can dwell with everlasting flames?” He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity …
1 John 3:3
And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as Christ is pure.