Daniel 5:1-31, Another King, More Pride

 First, let us consider some questions raised concerning the accuracy of this story. 

·       For centuries the skeptics denied the existence of any king names Belshazzar, and especially that he was the last king of Babylon.  250 years after the fall of Babylon the historian Broesus had no record of Belshazzar.  According to history Nabonidus was the last king of Babylon.  But with the discovery of the ‘Nabonidus Chronicles” in 1882 and other tablets unearthed in 1924, it was found that Belshazzar, in fact, was a co-ruler with Nabonidus, his father.  While Nabonidus was engaged in battles in the western part of the empire, Belshazzar ruled from Babylon up until the very night that the Medes and Persians conquered.

·       In 5:18 Daniel refers to Nebuchadnezzar as Belshazzar’s father.  History indicates Nabonidus was his literal father.  It is proper to refer to Nebuchadnezzar as his “father” in the same sense Abraham was the father of any Israelite.  Further, it is likely that Nabonidus married a descendent of Nebuchadnezzar to gain status in the royal family, thus making Belshazzar a physical relative of Nebuchadnezzar.

·       Daniel records that on “that very night” the Medes captured Babylon.  This is confirmed in history.  Babylon was considered impregnable, which may account for the revelry that night.  The Medes discovered that, with considerable effort, they could block the water entering the city in one of the canals, thus allowing their army to enter in the middle of the night and to take it without a serious battle.

Why was the proud Belshazzar weighed in the balances and found wanting, while the proud Nebuchadnezzar was restored to power after the seven years of insanity?  Consider two signs of pride with Belshazzar.

·       He treated God’s justice with contempt.  Cyrus, King of Persia, was outside the city as this festival went on.  History tells us Cyrus knew of the feast.  Unlike the king of Nineveh, in the days of Jonah, who called for a fast when confronted with sin, Belshazzar called for a feast when judgment was imminent.

·       He treated God’s holiness with contempt.  He took lightly the temple vessels.  These vessels were essential to temple worship.  The originals, from the time of David and Solomon, were either removed by the Egyptians (1 Ki. 14) or cut in pieces by King Ahaz (2 Chr. 27:24).  Under King Hezekiah they were repaired and replaced in the temple, only to be taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar.  Nebuchadnezzar had at least respected God as Most High among many gods; but Belshazzar’s actions here showed that he disrespected God as no god at all.

God’s judgment is always righteous, in reading the hearts and deeds of men.  God gives grace to the humble, and Nebuchadnezzar humbled himself.  Belshazzar did not (v22)!  And God resists the proud.  These two stories about pride (Dan. 4-5) are here for our edification.  Let us hear and fear the Lord!