Belshazzar, a figure of significant interest in the biblical narrative, is often associated with the fleeting happiness of the wicked. His account is primarily recounted in the Book of Daniel, where he is depicted as the last king of Babylon before its conquest by the Medes and Persians. Belshazzar's reign is marked by indulgence, arrogance, and a disregard for the God of Israel, which ultimately leads to his downfall.

Historical Context

Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidus, the last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. While Nabonidus was absent from Babylon, Belshazzar was entrusted with the kingship, effectively serving as co-regent. This historical backdrop sets the stage for the events described in Daniel 5, where Belshazzar's actions exemplify the temporary and deceptive nature of the happiness experienced by the wicked.

The Feast and the Writing on the Wall

The most notable account of Belshazzar's life is found in Daniel 5, where he hosts a grand feast for a thousand of his nobles. During this feast, Belshazzar, in a display of hubris, orders the gold and silver vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem to be brought out so that he and his guests might drink from them. This act of sacrilege is a direct affront to the God of Israel, as these vessels were consecrated for holy use.

As the revelry continues, a mysterious hand appears and writes on the wall, causing Belshazzar to become terrified. The king's wise men are unable to interpret the writing, leading to the summoning of Daniel, who reveals the message: "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN" (Daniel 5:25). Daniel explains that these words signify God's judgment on Belshazzar's reign—his days are numbered, he has been weighed and found wanting, and his kingdom will be divided and given to the Medes and Persians.

The Illusion of Security

Belshazzar's happiness is rooted in a false sense of security and prosperity. His feast, held on the eve of Babylon's fall, symbolizes the deceptive nature of the wicked's joy. Despite the impending doom, Belshazzar indulges in excess and blasphemy, oblivious to the divine judgment that looms over him. This narrative serves as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of worldly pleasures and the ultimate accountability before God.

Divine Judgment and the End of Belshazzar's Reign

The fulfillment of the prophecy is swift and decisive. That very night, Belshazzar is slain, and Darius the Mede takes over the kingdom (Daniel 5:30-31). The sudden end of Belshazzar's reign underscores the biblical theme that the happiness of the wicked is short-lived and ultimately leads to destruction. His account is a testament to the biblical principle found in Proverbs 14:12 : "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death."

Moral and Theological Implications

Belshazzar's narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride, irreverence, and the pursuit of pleasure apart from God. It illustrates the biblical truth that true happiness and security are found not in earthly power or indulgence but in a right relationship with God. The account of Belshazzar is a vivid example of the fleeting nature of the wicked's happiness and the certainty of divine justice.Daniel 5:1
Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.
Nave's Topical Index

The Vengeance of Heaven
... the general fact that, though the wicked seem to ... conviction that holiness in itself
is happiness, and sin ... a Christian, but worse than a Belshazzar; a hypocrite ...
/.../chapter lx the vengeance of.htm

The Great Misery of those who Lose the Saints' Rest.
... When Belshazzar "saw the fingers of a man's hand that ... wicked man to know that he
is wicked, or to ... to torment them, which should have helped to their happiness. ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter v the great misery.htm

There is a Blessedness in Reversion
... King Belshazzar was carousing and ranting it. ... Riches to the wicked are fuel for pride:
Thy heart ... the Pharisees bought their damnation; so that happiness is not ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/2 there is a blessedness.htm

Man.
... that lives in sin and hopes for happiness hereafter, is ... have mercy upon thee: "Upon
the wicked shall the ... Judas will hang himself; and both Belshazzar and Felix ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/iv man.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... is ended; thy happiness begins, where wicked men's end ... to be deprived of eternal
happiness and felicity? ... Belshazzar, notwithstanding he was so far from the fear ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm

The Death of the Christian
... worn these skeleton bones to frighten wicked men; but I ... The hand that wrote upon
Belshazzar's wall was terrible ... if he felt much peace and happiness, he twice ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the death of the christian.htm

How to Discern Our Title to the Saints' Rest.
... whether he be the foundation of thy happiness, or stone ... leaf should be to thee as
Belshazzar's writing on ... hinderance to self-examination arises from wicked men ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter viii how to discern.htm

Olney Hymns
... JEREMIAH. Hymn 66 Trust of the wicked, and the righteous compared. Jer 17:5-8. ... Hymn
74 BELSHAZZAR. Dan 5:5,6. ... Hymn 66 True happiness. Hymn 67 The happy debtor. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/

Christian Morals. Part I.
... of cold water, mutes may be in happiness, and sing ... out that we become not extempore
wicked, but it ... [71] The short sentence written on the wall of Belshazzar. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/christian morals/christian morals part i.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
... and the lusts of the flesh; this death is the beginning of true life and happiness,
and is a ... "They were"enemies in [their] mind by wicked works" (Colossians 1 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the resurrection of the dead.htm

What is natural law? | GotQuestions.org

What is the problem of good? | GotQuestions.org

What is Christian hedonism? | GotQuestions.org

Happiness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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