Topical Bible: The Happiness of the Wicked: Belshazzar

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Topical Encyclopedia

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 arrangement is supported by archaeological findings, such as the Nabonidus Cylinder, which corroborates the biblical account of Belshazzar's rule.

The Feast and the Writing on the Wall

The most notable biblical account of Belshazzar is found in Daniel 5. The chapter opens with Belshazzar hosting a grand feast for a thousand of his nobles. In a display of hubris and sacrilege, he orders the gold and silver vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem to be used for drinking wine, praising the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone. This act of defiance against the God of Israel sets the stage for divine intervention.

As the revelry continues, a mysterious hand appears and writes on the wall of the palace. The king is terrified, and none of his wise men can interpret the writing. Eventually, Daniel is summoned to interpret the message. The inscription, "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN," is explained by Daniel as a divine judgment against Belshazzar: "MENE: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. TEKEL: You have been weighed on the scales and found deficient. PERES: Your kingdom is divided and given over to the Medes and Persians" (Daniel 5:26-28).

The Downfall of Belshazzar

Despite the warning, Belshazzar's happiness and indulgence are short-lived. That very night, the prophecy is fulfilled as the Medes and Persians invade Babylon. Belshazzar is slain, and Darius the Mede takes over the kingdom. This swift and dramatic end underscores the biblical theme that the prosperity of the wicked is temporary and ultimately leads to destruction.

Theological Implications

Belshazzar's account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride, idolatry, and the false security found in earthly power and wealth. His temporary happiness, rooted in defiance against God, highlights the biblical principle that true and lasting joy is found only in obedience to the Lord. The narrative of Belshazzar illustrates the inevitable judgment that befalls those who reject God's sovereignty and choose to live in wickedness.

Conclusion

The account of Belshazzar in the Book of Daniel is a vivid portrayal of the transient nature of the happiness of the wicked. His life and reign, characterized by arrogance and impiety, serve as a powerful reminder of the ultimate justice of God and the futility of seeking fulfillment apart from Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 5:1
Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

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