King Belshazzar took the golden Holy Vessels from the temple of God in Jerusalem; and he and all his guests drank from them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver…then fingers appeared and wrote on the wall, the king saw the writing…“…his countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his KNEES KNOCKED AGAINST EACH OTHER.” (Dan. 5:3-6) A sign of great fear.
The Medo-Persian army was now surrounded Babylon, and were looking for a way into the strongly defended city. Belshazzar was not afraid he was confident because of Babylon’s impressive defenses and his vast supplies. That’s why he took God’s things and desecrated them. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” (Gal. 6:7)
The king brought in all his “wise” men-no results! “The queen spoke, “Do not let be troubled…There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God…King Nebuchadnezzar your father—made him chief of the magicians…” (Dan. 5:10-11)
Daniel told him, Nebuchadnezzar your father knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men… “But you his son, Belshazzar, have NOT HUMBLED YOUR HEART, although you KNEW all this.” (Dan. 5:22) Then Daniel gave the meaning, “MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.” (Dan. 5:26-28) That very night Belshazzar, was slain. And Darius the Mede took over the kingdom. So, we must, “Humble ourselves, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift us up in due time.” Why is this so important? Because, “God OPPOSES the proud but shows FAVOR (grace) to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5-6)
-Bill Stockham