Topical Bible: Sorcery: Practiced by Belshazzar

◄ Sorcery: Practiced by Belshazzar ►

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Introduction to Sorcery in the Biblical Context

Sorcery, often associated with the use of magic, divination, and the invocation of spirits, is consistently condemned in the Bible as an abomination before God. It is seen as a practice that leads people away from the truth of God and into deception and idolatry. The Bible warns against engaging in sorcery, as it is contrary to the worship and reliance on the one true God.

Belshazzar and the Babylonian Context

Belshazzar, the last king of Babylon, is a figure mentioned in the Book of Daniel. He is known for his infamous feast, during which he desecrated the sacred vessels from the Jerusalem Temple. This act of sacrilege was compounded by his reliance on sorcerers and enchanters, which was a common practice in the Babylonian empire. The Babylonians were known for their extensive use of astrology, divination, and other forms of sorcery, which were integral to their religious and political systems.

Biblical Account of Belshazzar's Feast

In Daniel 5, Belshazzar holds a great feast for a thousand of his nobles and, in a display of arrogance and impiety, orders the gold and silver vessels taken from the Jerusalem Temple to be used for drinking wine. As they drank, they praised the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone. This act of blasphemy was met with a divine response: a mysterious hand appeared and wrote on the wall of the palace.

The Role of Sorcerers and Enchanters

In his distress over the writing on the wall, Belshazzar called for the enchanters, astrologers, and diviners to interpret the message. Daniel 5:7 states, "The king called out to bring in the astrologers, Chaldeans, and diviners. He said to these wise men of Babylon, 'Whoever reads this inscription and gives me its interpretation will be clothed in purple, have a gold chain placed around his neck, and be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.'"

Despite their efforts, none of the king's wise men could interpret the writing. This failure highlights the impotence of sorcery and human wisdom in the face of divine revelation. It was only Daniel, a man of God, who was able to interpret the message, demonstrating the superiority of God's wisdom over the practices of sorcery.

Daniel's Interpretation and the Fall of Babylon

Daniel was brought before the king and reminded Belshazzar of the fate of his predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar, who had been humbled by God. Daniel 5:22-23 records Daniel's rebuke: "But you his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this. Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. You had the vessels from His temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, wives, and concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in His hand your life and all your ways."

Daniel then interpreted the writing: "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN." The message foretold the end of Belshazzar's reign and the fall of Babylon. That very night, Belshazzar was slain, and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom.

Conclusion

The account of Belshazzar serves as a stark reminder of the futility of sorcery and the ultimate sovereignty of God. Despite the king's reliance on sorcerers and enchanters, it was the wisdom of God, revealed through His servant Daniel, that prevailed. This narrative underscores the biblical teaching that sorcery is powerless before the true and living God.

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Daniel 5:7,15
The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spoke, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whoever shall read this writing, and show me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
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