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Daniel 5:25-30

²⁵“This is the message that was written: Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. ²⁶This is what these words mean:

Mene means `numbered’-God has numbered the days of your reign and has brought it to an end.
<sup>27</sup>Tekel means `weighed’-you have been weighed on the balances and have not measured up.
²⁸Parsin means `divided’-your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”
²⁹Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was dressed in purple robes, a gold chain was hung around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.
³⁰That very night Belshazzar, the Babylonian king, was killed.

Reflect

King Belshazzar had power and wealth but his kingdom was totally corrupt and he could not withstand the judgment of God. He knew what had happened to his predecessor, King Nebuchadnezzar, but completely disregarded the lessons his predecessor learned. He had forgotten God and he ran out of opportunities to repent. God’s judgment was fulfilled by the Medes and Persians, who joined forces to overthrow Babylon. This whole event was foretold in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in chapter 2 - the silver chest and arms.

Snap your fingers. In the snap of your fingers, your life could end - removing any further chance to repent of your sin. King Belshazzar found this out the hard way. He lost any further opportunity to repent. If you have forgotten about God, don’t let that happen to you.

Respond

1. What kept King Belshazzar from acknowledging God?
2. Did God keep his promise foretold in Chapter 2?
3. Why did God give King Nebuchadnezzar twelve months to repent but demanded immediate judgement on King Belshazzar?

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