Introduction:
Belshazzar's Feast is a significant event recorded in the Book of Daniel, chapter 5, in the Old Testament. This event marks the dramatic end of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and serves as a powerful illustration of divine judgment and the sovereignty of God over earthly kingdoms.

Historical Context:
Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidus, the last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. While Nabonidus was absent from Babylon, Belshazzar served as co-regent and was in charge of the kingdom. The feast described in Daniel 5 took place in 539 B.C., on the eve of the Persian conquest of Babylon.

The Feast:
The narrative begins with Belshazzar hosting a grand banquet for a thousand of his nobles. During the feast, in a display of arrogance and sacrilege, Belshazzar commanded that the gold and silver vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem be brought so that he and his guests could drink from them. This act of desecration was compounded by their praise of the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone (Daniel 5:1-4).

The Writing on the Wall:
As the revelry continued, a mysterious hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace. The king was terrified, and his countenance changed. He called for the enchanters, astrologers, and diviners to interpret the writing, promising rewards to anyone who could decipher it. However, none of the wise men of Babylon could interpret the message (Daniel 5:5-8).

Daniel's Interpretation:
At the suggestion of the queen, Daniel was summoned to interpret the writing. Daniel, known for his wisdom and divine insight, reminded Belshazzar of how God had humbled Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar's predecessor, for his pride. Daniel rebuked Belshazzar for not humbling himself and for defiling the sacred vessels (Daniel 5:18-23).

Daniel then interpreted the writing: "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN." He explained that "MENE" meant God had numbered the days of Belshazzar's reign and brought it to an end; "TEKEL" meant Belshazzar had been weighed and found wanting; "PARSIN" (or "PERES") meant the kingdom would be divided and given to the Medes and Persians (Daniel 5:25-28).

The Fulfillment:
That very night, Belshazzar was slain, and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, fulfilling the prophecy. The fall of Babylon to the Medo-Persian Empire marked a significant shift in the ancient Near Eastern world and demonstrated the fulfillment of God's judgment as foretold by Daniel (Daniel 5:30-31).

Theological Significance:
Belshazzar's Feast serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of pride and irreverence towards God. It underscores the biblical theme that God is sovereign over all nations and rulers, and He holds them accountable for their actions. The event also highlights the importance of humility and reverence for the sacred, as well as the certainty of divine justice.