Daniel 5 -- Ignoring God At Our Peril

Nebuchadnezzar had died.  His grandson Belshazzar now ruled the city of Babylon.  Everything Nebuchadnezzar had learned about God the hard way, and how He controls the fate of men and nations had apparently been forgotten.

 

Belshazzar knew that the Persian army was encamped outside the city, yet he had no concerns!  The high walls and fortified gates, along with the vast supply of food stored within them, meant that no enemy could starve them out or attack.  In his arrogance, he threw a huge feast.

 

The guests were getting drunk, and apparently so was the king – to the point that he became increasingly prideful and decided to spit in God’s face by calling for the gold cups taken from the Temple before it had been destroyed.  They’d been set apart for holy use, and now this Babylonian king planned to toast his own gods and idols with them.

 

As they were drinking, the fingers of a hand materialized and began writing on the plaster wall.  Four words, written in Aramaic, which anyone should have been able to read.  They were a testimony to the king’s arrogance, but he couldn’t see it.  Neither could his wise men.

 

The Queen Mother remembered Daniel though, and he was quickly summoned.  Refusing the king’s offer of gifts, he didn’t even bother with any bedside manners, because God had shown him it was too late for that.

 

He reminded the king of what he already knew about his grandfather’s life and how God had intervened to bring him to an understanding of Him.  He also pointed out the total lack of respect and remorse shown by Belshazzar toward God.  The message?  “God has counted the days until your kingdom will end … You have been weighed on the scales and found not good enough … Your kingdom is being divided and will be given to the Medes and Persians.”  It was happening as Daniel spoke!  That night the invading army successfully diverted the Euphrates River and stormed in under the water gates and Belshazzar was killed.

 

Father, we know from Your Word that You will not be mocked.  In our stubbornness and pride, we do so at our own peril.  Break through pride and stubbornness and remind us of what we already know about You.  Bring us back to You, Father.

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford