Judah was carried into captivity by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, the most powerful king of his time. God exiled His people from the land in order to cleanse the land from the defilement of the shedding of innocent blood. Judah's king, Manasseh had defiled the land by worshipping false gods with the sacrifice of children in fire, even his own son. So the land would be cleansed with 70 years of Sabbath rest (2 Ki. 24:3-4, 2 Chron. 33:9-11, 36:20-21, Jer. 25:11-12).
The mighty king, Nebuchadnezzar, learned the hard way that the people of God had not been placed into his care for his abuse. This king addresses all people and generations in Daniel 4, telling his testimony of how the Hebrew God taught him humility. Immediately following this powerful, unprecedented testimony by one of history's greatest figures, we are given a very sobering account of Nebuchadnezzar's son in Dan. 5.
Nebuchadnezzar's son was named Belshazzar, and he was now king of Babylon. His name has a root meaning, "lord of the straitened's treasure". The "straitened" in this case, were the exiled people of God. Their treasure included the vessels of the Temple of Jerusalem that were captured along with them and brought to Babylon. The king's very name told him that these vessels (both human and worship utensils) were placed in his care.
This king held a great feast and invited a thousand of the elite of the land. Drinking was done, and in the middle of this great celebration the king decided to send for the golden vessels of the Temple of Jerusalem, and use them for drinking. As they drank from these holy vessels, they praised the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone (Dan. 5:4, Rev. 9:20).
At this moment, the king saw a man's hand writing words on the wall by the candlestick. His countenance changed, and his body grew weak with fear. He could not understand the words written by the hand, so he called in all of the astrologers, wise men, and soothsayers who served him and offered a great reward, even a third of his kingdom, if they could interpret the words on the wall for him. None could interpret. His wife then reminded him of a man who had served his father, Nebuchadnezzar. She told him that this man, Daniel, a captive from Judah, was filled with the Spirit of the Holy God. The king sent for Daniel.
Daniel told the king that he would interpret the words on the wall. He began telling the king how God had exalted his father, Nebuchadnezzar, and when Nebuchadnezzar became hardened in pride, God humbled him. Daniel told this king that, unlike his father, he had not humbled himself:
"But you, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven...the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified." (v. 22-23)
Daniel told the king that God sent the hand to write on the wall:
MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN
The interpretation word by word means "God has numbered your kingdom and finished it; you have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and the Persians." (v. 26-28)
The king knew he had received the correct interpretation, even though Babylon's great wall was believed to be unbreachable by enemies. He rewarded Daniel as he had promised.
That very night Babylon fell, and the king was killed.
We should never forget the lesson of Belshazzar, neither as a nation, nor as individuals. The Father has given the care of His people and His vessels of honor into the hands of the governing leaders of this nation, into the hands of the spiritual leaders, and into each one of our hands. When we exalt ourselves in pride, and knowingly defile these precious things for our profane use, or for the praise of men, God will humble us. This is a very serious time for our nation at this time. We are being weighed in the balances.Our Father is not mocked (Gal. 6:7, Job 12:4).
" Humble Thyself in the Sight of the LORD"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU8MAQKSbEI
"Bow Down"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ii6a5PW04w
