Topical Bible: Unholy Fear: Belshazzar

◄ Unholy Fear: Belshazzar ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Belshazzar, a figure of significant historical and theological interest, is prominently featured in the Book of Daniel. He is depicted as the last king of Babylon, known for his impiety and the infamous feast that led to his downfall. His account is a vivid illustration of unholy fear, a fear that arises not from reverence for God, but from the terror of impending judgment due to one's own sinful actions.

Historical Context

Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidus, the last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. While Nabonidus was absent from Babylon, Belshazzar ruled as co-regent. This historical arrangement is supported by archaeological findings, such as the Nabonidus Cylinder, which mentions Belshazzar's role in the kingdom. The biblical account in Daniel 5 provides a narrative of his reign, focusing on the events leading to the fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians.

The Feast and the Writing on the Wall

The most notable event in Belshazzar's life, as recorded in Daniel 5, is the great feast he held for a thousand of his nobles. During this feast, Belshazzar, in a display of arrogance and sacrilege, ordered the gold and silver vessels taken from the Jerusalem temple by his predecessor Nebuchadnezzar to be used for drinking wine. This act of desecration was compounded by the praise of Babylonian gods made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

In the midst of this revelry, a mysterious hand appeared and wrote on the wall of the king's palace. The sight of the hand and the writing filled Belshazzar with terror. Daniel 5:6 describes his reaction: "Then the king’s face grew pale and his thoughts so alarmed him that his hips gave way and his knees knocked together." This unholy fear was not born of repentance or reverence for God, but from the realization of imminent doom.

Daniel's Interpretation

Unable to interpret the writing, Belshazzar called for his wise men, but they failed to provide an explanation. The queen suggested that Daniel, known for his wisdom and insight, be summoned. Daniel was brought before the king and offered rewards for interpreting the writing. However, Daniel refused the gifts, instead delivering a message of judgment.

Daniel reminded Belshazzar of Nebuchadnezzar's humbling by God due to his pride and warned that Belshazzar had not humbled his heart despite knowing all this. Daniel 5:22-23 states, "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."

The writing on the wall, "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN," was interpreted by Daniel as a divine judgment: God had numbered the days of Belshazzar's kingdom, weighed him and found him wanting, and divided his kingdom to the Medes and Persians.

The Fall of Babylon

That very night, Belshazzar was slain, and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, as recorded in Daniel 5:30-31 : "That very night Belshazzar king of the Chaldeans was slain, and Darius the Mede received the kingdom at the age of sixty-two." The swift fulfillment of the prophecy underscores the seriousness of Belshazzar's unholy fear and the consequences of his irreverence.

Theological Implications

Belshazzar's account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride, sacrilege, and the failure to honor God. His unholy fear, characterized by panic and dread rather than repentance, highlights the futility of relying on earthly power and wisdom in the face of divine judgment. The narrative emphasizes the sovereignty of God over the affairs of nations and individuals, reminding believers of the importance of humility and reverence before the Almighty.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 5:6
Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

part vi.
... the ordinance of God, so likewise fear on your ... Godless, unholy, without natural
affection, he feared not God ... this modern Ahab, this second Belshazzar of our ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/part vi.htm

Weighed in the Balances
... as well as on the wall of Belshazzar's palace ... ignorant followers, who imagined in
their fear and superstition ... the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/weighed in the balances.htm

Perfection in Faith
... If he did so, he did it to his own destruction"witness Belshazzar. ... Nor fear thy
banishment from God,. ... the blood, God does not look on us as unholy and unclean ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/perfection in faith.htm

The King's Courts
... like that which befell the roysterers in Belshazzar's court, when ... On the other side,
Herod was in fear. ... the fascination of their sin, that unholy passion, that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/x the kings courts.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
... This is the doctrine I say, which makes me fear to offend, and that is as an
undergirder to my soul, whereby I am kept from destruction and confusion, under ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the resurrection of the dead.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... The fear of the punishment would make thee forbear; yea, would make thee tremble ...
to company with the beasts"Daniel did not stick to tell Belshazzar his son to ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm