Daniel 5 Nlt: The Story Of Belshazzar's Feast

Introduction

The book of Daniel is one of the most intriguing and fascinating books of the Bible. It contains stories of faith, courage, and God’s provision for His people. One of the most famous stories in the book is the story of Belshazzar’s feast, which is found in Daniel 5 NLT. This story is a powerful reminder of the consequences of pride and disobedience, and the importance of honoring God above all else.

The Setting

The story of Belshazzar’s feast takes place in Babylon, during the reign of King Belshazzar. Babylon was a powerful empire, and Belshazzar was a descendant of King Nebuchadnezzar, who had conquered Jerusalem and taken the Israelites into captivity. Despite the fact that he was not the rightful king, Belshazzar was arrogant and proud, and he hosted a great feast to celebrate his power and wealth.

The Feast

Belshazzar’s feast was a lavish affair, with food, wine, and entertainment. The king invited his nobles, wives, and concubines to join him in his celebration. As they drank and reveled, they praised the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone. They were oblivious to the fact that the true God was watching them, and that their actions would have serious consequences.

The Handwriting on the Wall

Suddenly, in the midst of the feast, a hand appeared and began to write on the wall. The king was terrified, and his face turned pale. He called for his wise men to interpret the writing, but none of them could do so. Finally, Daniel was summoned, and he was able to interpret the writing. The words on the wall read, “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin,” which meant that Belshazzar’s kingdom had been weighed in the balances and found wanting. The king was doomed, and his kingdom would be taken from him.

The Consequences

That very night, Belshazzar was killed, and his kingdom was given to the Medes and Persians. The story of Belshazzar’s feast is a powerful reminder of the consequences of pride and disobedience. Belshazzar was arrogant and refused to honor the true God, and he paid the ultimate price. We too must be careful not to exalt ourselves above God, and to remember that He is the one who holds our future in His hands.

The Application

The story of Belshazzar’s feast has many applications for us today. First, it reminds us of the importance of humility and obedience. We must be careful not to let our pride and arrogance lead us down a path of destruction. Instead, we must submit to God and trust in His plan for our lives. Second, it reminds us of the consequences of sin. Belshazzar’s sin had serious repercussions, and our sins can have serious consequences as well. We must be vigilant in guarding our hearts and minds against sin, and repent when we fall short. Finally, it reminds us of God’s sovereignty. He is the one who holds our future in His hands, and we can trust Him to guide us and protect us.

Conclusion

The story of Belshazzar’s feast is a powerful reminder of the consequences of pride and disobedience. We must be careful not to let our pride and arrogance lead us down a path of destruction. Instead, we must submit to God and trust in His plan for our lives. We must also be vigilant in guarding our hearts and minds against sin, and repent when we fall short. Finally, we must trust in God’s sovereignty and His ability to guide us and protect us. May we always honor God above all else, and may we learn from the mistakes of those who have gone before us.