I'm Belshazzar

The following is a sermon delivered by Pastor Joel Earl at the GARBC Annual Conference, Wednesday morning, June 23, 2010.

Darius is coming! And Belshazzar’s soul is soon to be required of him.

In the book of Daniel, God is on a quest to bring Himself the glory which He and His sovereignty alone deserve. In chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 and now 5 God is seeking glorious vindication for His sovereign might. Verse 23 of Daniel 5 sums it all up: “the Most High God rules the kingdom of men.”

Belshazzar is a man of pride who neglected to give the glory to God Most High in seemingly every way. Thus, Darius is coming! Judgment is knocking at the door—or, I should say, judgment is being written upon the wall! For Belshazzar’s soul is soon to be required of him!

I would like you to note the man Belshazzar with me as we walk through Daniel 5.

First, Belshazzar spurned God’s holiness (5:1-4)

Babylonian glory soon began to fade after Nebuchadnezzar’s death. None of his successors were able to match his achievements. After his fall there were even attempts to take the kingship of Babylon by force. The events of Daniel 5 occur at the tail end of the days of the Babylonian empire.

It is likely that at this time there were two men ruling the kingdom of Babylon: a man named Nabonidus who was married to the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar and Nabanidus’s son, Belshazzar (the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar). Nabonidus was the type of king who liked to be away from his kingdom. In fact, for a period of 14 years he did not even visit his capital. It seems likely that he designated his son Belshazzar as Co-regent and they ruled the kingdom together. At the time of our passage Nabonidus is away and Belshazzar is ruling in the capital.

Note with me the situation facing Belshazzar (Dan. 5:1). The powerful Babylonian foes, the Persians, were outside the walls attempting to conquer the Babylonian kingdom. Earlier in the struggle, the Babylonian armies had left the capital and had met the Persians in the open field. Facing defeat, they had retreated back to the Capital where they presumed they were quite secure. For at that time, the city of Babylon was considered impregnable. In Daniel 5 Belshazzar is in his palace in Babylon, and the Persians, led by Darius, are outside the city walls. And Belshazzar’s pride has led him to believe that the Babylonians will—in the end—send the Persians packing!

Note with me the prideful feast (v. 1): 1,000 of Belshazzar’s lords assembled at his table in his palace. This was an arrogant show of strength—that he could provide for so many at his table even with the Persian armies beyond the city walls. In a sense he’s saying: “No one can touch me. I’m bulletproof.” The feast was a sinful and idolatrous revelry (Dan. 5:2-4). The passage says, “when he tasted the wine.” It seems the king has already begun drinking and we get the sense that he’s been drinking for a while.

King Belshazzar decided to declare the glory of his god above the God of the Jews. He called for the vessels that his grandfather Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, and he even invited his wives and concubines to join him. Though scholars disagree over the meaning of this, some think—due to the rarity of women being present at such feasts—that this had turned into a sexual event with religious overtones.

Notice how Belshazzar is spurning God! He is using the vessels of the Most High to praise his false gods, and it seems he is using them for a licentious purpose as well. He is declaring the power of his gods and his kingdom over that of the Most High God who had been revealing Himself to the Babylonian empire since the first day Daniel and his three friends came to town.

Note our similarities with this man.

Like Belshazzar, how common it has become for our nation and its leaders to profane God’s holiness with shameless idolatry. Though our people do not have gods of stones or sticks, they have developed many idols. In our country the god of pragmatism and personal right has rejected the truth that man is created in the image of God. This false god has determined instead that life does not count unless it is found on this side of the womb.

In our country the god of self-pleasure has insisted that the Most High’s plan for the family is archaic and judgmental, in that what is considered unnatural by the Most High between a man and a man or a woman and a woman is now altogether acceptable—even acceptable for the marriage bed. In our land the god of empty gratification has tricked our people into believing that things such as entertainment, free time, gluttony, and greed can satisfy the human heart’s longings when those longings are insatiable unless satisfied by the Most High God Himself!

Like Belshazzar, how common it is for mankind to profane God’s holiness out of shameless self-love. For the wicked way of man pridefully spites the perfections of God! We ourselves award Him no honor, though He alone is deserving. Instead we honor our bodies with all their lusts and wants. We ourselves grant Him no esteem, though He alone is awesome. Instead we esteem only our own ambitions with primary regard given always to self. We ourselves glorify many things—from our children to the team at the top of the league standings—but we all “fall short of the glory of God.” And Darius is coming. Souls are soon to be required.

Second, Belshazzar discounted God’s sovereignty (5:5-23)

Note that the handwriting is on the wall (Dan. 5:5). The lamp on one side of the room illuminated the night wall on the other side with a ghostly shadow which appeared as the fingers of a man. It seems the handwriting was written in such a way or in such a language that those in attendance could not understand its meaning. Due to the alcohol they had been consuming, they would, no doubt, have had to wonder if this was a supernatural revelation or a delusional trip! Quickly the King’s countenance began to fail (v. 6). His color changed and he became white as snow in appearance. His thoughts alarmed him and, no doubt, his face looked terribly afraid. His limbs gave way as his leg muscles loosed and he could stand no longer. His knees knocked together as he is shook in fear!

His attempts toward understanding were frustrated (Dan. 5:7-9). He called the usual suspects—“wise men” who have been mentioned several times before in Daniel’s book. Each time they have proved utter failures. Belshazzar offered them tremendous rewards for finding the meaning of the revelation. He offered to clothe them with purple, which was the sign of rank worn by the officers of state. He offered a golden necklace—again, something worn by people of rank. These were even given as gifts between kings. Finally, He offered to make the interpreter third ruler in the land. This probably meant Nabonidus would be King, Belshazzar the Co-King, and then whoever could interpret the meaning would be third in command. Belshazzar must have been very afraid to feel the need to offer such an important prize!

But, of course, the “wise men” were unable to help him, and again the king was distraught with fear. Even his lords were perplexed, and it seems a great confusion and uproar entered the room.

Note the solution which is proposed (5:10-12).

Upon hearing the uproar, the Queen (likely the wife of Nabonidus and mother Belshazzar) entered the room. She states that there is a man who has the “spirit of the holy gods.” This seems to be a reference to the true God of Israel. She says this man served in the “days of your father”—likely a reference to Belshazzar’s grandfather Nebuchadnezzar. According to Leon Wood, the same word here would have been used for either “father” or “grandfather.” There is also archaeological evidence that at that time a successor on a royal throne could be called a “son” of the predecessor, even when no blood relation existed.

Note how Daniel the Jew is commended by King Belshazzar (Dan. 5:13-16). It is quite ironic that a short time before, Belshazzar had been profaning the Jewish God and now he is forced to depend upon a Jew empowered by that very God. Daniel is offered the same reward as those who had already failed, but he responds as a preacher of God should (Dan. 5:17-23). In a sense he says “no thank you” to the gifts. Some surmise that his reaction is because he is aware of the doom which is coming and wants no part of this kingdom. Since Daniel later receives the gifts, I think it’s more probable that he does not want to be seen as compromised or self-motivated in his effort to explain the revelation for the king. As a man of God, he desired to do the bidding of the Lord and wanted nothing to undermine his message.

Daniel describes God’s sovereign, yet merciful hand towards King Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar’s grandfather (“father”). Why had God been merciful to him? In order that Nebuchadnezzar might know that the Most High God reigns and the Most High God is sovereign even over kings! Daniel then proceeds to rebuke Belshazzar for his pride.

As I think of Daniel’s words to King Belshazzar I’m reminded of what Proverbs 21:1 says—“The King’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He will” (ESV). God is in absolute control of all kings, and this sovereign control demands our humility!

I also love what C.S. Lewis wrote regarding God’s sovereign glory:

To be sovereign of the universe is not a great matter to God…. We must keep always before our eyes that vision…which God carried in His hand, a little object like a nut, and that nut was “all that is made.” God who needs nothing loves into existence wholly superfluous creatures in order that he may love and perfect them.

God does not need kings and He is the absolute sovereign over every king. How dare any man stand pridefully against Him! For even the men of Al-Qaeda only haunt their caves due to the sovereign allowance of the Most High God!

Though Belshazzar “knew all this” history of the Great Nebuchadnezzar and the Most High’s dealings with him, Belshazzar had not humbled himself as his grandfather had done! Instead of humility, he had discounted God’s sovereignty by spurning God’s holiness! He had pridefully worshiped dead idols, forgetting that even his “breath” was in God’s hand—and all his “ways”!

Our similarities with this man continue.

Like Belshazzar, how easily our people have also ignored the sovereignty of God in our cavernous pride. We look upon our freedoms as things which we deserve, altogether forgetting the guiding hand of God who brought these freedoms into existence. We have pridefully attempted to remove any recognition of God from our public heart, though it was the Most High who gave us these blessings from the beginning. We have, piece by piece and bit by bit, turned our back upon His chosen—though temporarily hardened—people, the Jews. We have altogether discounted the Most High’s masterful hand in leading them from the day he called Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees to this very day of contention in the land of Palestine. Oh yes—our people too have discounted God’s sovereignty because of our cavernous pride!

Like Belshazzar, how easily all mankind ignores the sovereignty of God out of arrogant darkness. The wicked way of man pridefully ignores the reign of the Most High. We believe ourselves to be the gods of our own destinies. We believe that pulling oneself up by one’s own bootstraps is the only means of finding success in life—forgetting Who created the materials for the bootstraps, gave the bootstrap makers the talents to produce, and gave us the blood in our veins which enables us to lift each boot!

Sadly, we don’t see or respect the beauty and the glory of a God who has determined the end even before there was a beginning. Yes, we, like Belshazzar, have discounted God’s sovereignty and Darius is coming. Souls are soon to be required.

Third, Belshazzar incurred God’s judgment (5:24-31)

See the writing on the wall explained (Dan. 5:25-28). From God’s presence this revelation had been sent and it was a “divine play on words.” Note “MENE”—the word sounds like the Aramaic word for “numbered.” It is said twice for emphasis and it means that God had numbered the days of Belshazzar’s kingdom and they were coming to an end.

Note “TEKEL”—the word sounds like the Aramaic for “weighed” and it meant that God had “weighed” Belshazzar in the balance, and God had found him too light in terms of moral and spiritual quality. Belshazzar was unacceptable to God! Note “PARSIN” (or UPHARSIN)—the word sounds like the Aramaic for “divided,” which meant that God will divide Belshazzar’s kingdom and give it to the Persians and the Medes. Thus, the play on words is judgment upon Belshazzar!

Note how Daniel is presumptuously honored (v. 29). Not realizing just how soon this judgment would come or how incapable he was to avoid it, Belshazzar rewarded Daniel in spite of Daniel’s objections. It seems, quite foolishly, Belshazzar assumed all would now be well.

But note the coming of Darius (Dan. 5:30-31). Even that very night Belshazzar’s soul was required of him! While he had been attempting to discover the meaning of the revelation, God’s sovereignty had been at work outside the city walls. The Persian army, led by Darius, was ingeniously entering the city that was once thought impregnable. The River Euphrates ran under the walls and through the city, and the Persians ingeniously dammed the river and came underneath the walls at night. They then conquered the city with very little struggle. After all, most of the leadership was drunk with the King. That very night, Belshazzar’s life was over.

Like Belshazzar, how rightfully our country and world will face judgment for their smug posture towards the Lord Most High. Our Darius is coming and souls will soon be required. The Most High God rightfully desires His glory and will not permit those who undermine Him to last for long. Our haughty culture will one day stand before the Most High and give account. Here all pride will fail, as will all excuses, for His truth and true Glory will be seen. As Belshazzar met his doom, so will all men and nations who stand opposed to the God Most High.

Like Belshazzar, how rightfully all mankind will face His wrath for their unwillingness to acknowledge Him. Every man, for all his wickedness and pride, will experience his Darius. Every man will soon give account. Every soul will soon be required. Yes, Darius is coming and, at the door, knocks the Most High’s recompense! This ultimately leads us to the heart of the matter.

Belshazzar is me, and Belshazzar is you.

Belshazzar is the face we see in the mirror each morning. Spiteful, prideful sinners deserving of great judgment. We, like him, have spurned God’s holiness in our lives. We, like him, have discounted God’s sovereignty. We, like him, are deserving of God’s judgment.

But, unlike Belshazzar, we are recipients of great grace!

We are recipients of great grace if we have believed on Christ. The grace of God has been lavished upon us through Jesus Christ and His atonement-revealing gospel! Thus, if we have believed on Christ we face no Darius after all! Our souls are not required of us unto destruction, but unto joy, glory, and peace with God everlasting!

Therefore, since many of us here are leaders—pastors, pastor’s wives, missionaries, missionary wives, Christian leaders, and so forth—let us lead with radical humility and deep-seated gratitude. For we are undeserving and have not one reason for pride. We have been given much, and have great reason for praise. Let us preach and teach God’s Word with an appreciation for our undeserving position, with hearty explanations of man’s contemptible sin towards God—and let us proclaim the joyous experience of having the grace of Christ Jesus lavished upon us!

Joe Earl is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Harlan, Iowa where he and his wife Amy have served since December of ‘08. He attended the University of Northern Iowa then earned his Master’s degree at Faith Baptist Bible College, Ankeny, IA. Their first child, Joshua, was born in August of ‘09.