In this daily Bible reading is the account of Babylonian King Belshazzar losing his Kingdom to Persia. Belshazzar had held a banquet. During the banquet, Belshazzar gave orders to have the silver and gold cups that were taken from the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem brought to the banquet. Belshazzar and his wives and concubines then drank wine from them. They also praised their gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.
While they were drinking from God’s Holy vessels a hand appeared and wrote words on the wall which no one could decipher. Belshazzar then summoned God’s prophet, Daniel, to interpret what was written. Daniel interpreted the inscription on the wall. The inscription said that God was going to end Belshazzar’s kingdom because he had dishonored the true God.
Belshazzar was aware of God’s power and preeminence. Belshazzar’s father, Nebuchadnezzar, even acknowledged God’s superiority. Yet, knowing this, Belshazzar still dishonored God by carelessly using God’s Holy vessels from the Temple in Jerusalem.
That very night, the Persians killed Belshazzar. The Persian King Darius then took over the kingdom. Thus, began the rule of Medes and Persians. Sometimes, God punishes people very quickly for their sins. God, indeed punished Belshazzar very quickly.
