Numbered, weighed and divided - Faitaulia, fuatia ma vaevaeina

Scripture Focus: Tanielu 5:13-30

Then was Daniel brought in before the king. The king spoke and said to Daniel, Are you that Daniel, who are of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Judah? I have heard of you, that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known to me its interpretation; but they could not show the interpretation of the thing. But I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations, and dissolve doubts; now if you can read the writing, and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. Then Daniel answered before the king, Let your gifts be to yourself, and give your rewards to another; nevertheless I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation. You, king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty: and because of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him: whom he would he killed, and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he raised up, and whom he would he put down. But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: and he was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the animals’, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys; he was fed with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky; until he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and that he sets up over it whomever he will. You, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, but have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them; and you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which don’t see, nor hear, nor know; and the God in whose hand your breath is, and whose are all your ways, you have not glorified. Then was the part of the hand sent from before him, and this writing was inscribed. This is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God has numbered your kingdom, and brought it to an end; TEKEL; you are weighed in the balances, and are found wanting. PERES; your kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. In that night Belshazzar the Chaldean King was slain.
- Daniel 5:13-30 (WEB)

Study:

This passage recounts the story of Belshazzar’s feast and the mysterious handwriting on the wall. Belshazzar, despite knowing the history of Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling, continued in pride and blasphemy, using sacred vessels for profane purposes. God’s judgment was swift and sure, revealed through Daniel’s interpretation: “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin.” These words declared the numbering, weighing, and dividing of his kingdom. Belshazzar was found wanting, and his kingdom was immediately transferred to the Medes and Persians. The speed of fulfillment underscores the sovereignty of God and the seriousness of defying Him. Daniel refused the king's rewards, choosing to serve God rather than accept earthly honor.

Application:

Belshazzar’s story serves as a potent warning against pride and failing to learn from the past. We, too, can be tempted to become complacent and disregard God’s authority, focusing on worldly pleasures and self-exaltation. This passage reminds us that God is always watching, and He will hold us accountable for our actions. Just as Belshazzar was “weighed in the balances and found wanting”, our lives are constantly being assessed. We must be careful not to take God’s blessings for granted, but to remain humble and obedient to His will. It demonstrates the consequences of ignoring warnings and clinging to pride.

Reflection Questions:

• In what areas of your life are you perhaps becoming complacent?
• How can you actively cultivate humility in your daily life?
• Are there past lessons you’ve ignored or forgotten?
• Do your actions glorify God, or do they focus on self-promotion?
• How does this story impact your understanding of God's justice and sovereignty?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, forgive us for the times we have been prideful and failed to acknowledge Your authority. Help us to learn from the mistakes of Belshazzar and to live lives of humility, gratitude, and obedience. Search our hearts and reveal any areas where we are falling short. May we always seek to glorify You in all that we do. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Tags: Daniel, Belshazzar, pride, judgment, humility, sovereignty, promises, resolutions, bad promises, faith, obedience, repentance