When God Shows No Mercy to Those Weighed and Found Wanting
There are many people in the Bible who did not learn the lesson God was teaching them. In the book of Daniel chapter 5, we are introduced to Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar’s son, Belshazzar. His name is a request of the god, Bel, for divine protection. By the end of chapter 5, one notes the irony is Belshazzar’s disposition.
The Bible teaches us that Yahweh is King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Tim 6:15; Rev 17:14; 19:16). He is the One who rules the nations (Ps 22:28). Providence reveals how He chooses to deal with Kings in raising them up or bringing them down. There is a human leader who is very ambitious to accomplish “great things.” Nebuchadnezzar was a doer with a resume of achievement. Belshazzar, in comparison, was a classic idiot son. He was a party boy with nothing to his credit. By the end of chapter 5, one understands that the fool does not rule well nor does he reign very long.
Drinking parties may be informal (think: college fraternity); or they may be extremely formal (think: Academy Awards night). Regardless, when the wine has flowed for a while, sins of various kinds can manifest: drunkenness; fighting; orgies; and even murder may ensue. Belshazzar clearly sinned in a way that Nebuchadnezzar did not when he requested the gold and silver vessels from the Jerusalem Temple to be brought to the party (Dan 5:2).
Debauchery with nobles, wives, and concubines turned to idolatry as false gods were praised while the drinking continued with the sacred vessels (Dan 5:3). In the case of Belshazzar, wine became a mocker (Prv 20:1).
Yahweh issued His indictment against Belshazzar in a memorable way (Dan 5:5). Even unbelievers, today, know the saying, “The writing was on the wall,” as a way of saying, “He should have seen it coming.” This supernatural event had its effect; but it was not repentance in Belshazzar.
Belshazzar became weak in the knees and his soul was filled with fear because of the visible hand and the undecipherable script. An interpreter was needed; and the diviners were called. Despite the promised reward, they failed to detect the message (5:8). In the first five chapters of Daniel, this theme of repeated failure, contrasted with Daniel’s success, becomes significant.
It is common, today, for unbelievers to seek the counsel of men without regard to the one, true, and living God. When trouble comes to nations, corporations, universities, etc. the psychologists, market analysts, and public opinion pollsters are sought over and above the man of God, who is privy to the wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:24), found only in the Word of God, brought by the Spirit of God (2 Pet 1:20–21).
It was the queen mother (probably Nebuchadnezzar’s wife) who issued the wisdom and directive to seek out Daniel. It is reasonable to imagine an ethnic prejudice against the chief over of all the “wise men” because that man, Daniel, was a Jew. Despite repeated supernatural events attributed to Yahweh, the Babylonians refused to submit to the Hebrew deity. Even when the queen mother recounted Daniel’s impressive resume, she would not acknowledge Yahweh.
Today, we experience the same refusal by organizations. Yahweh has sent an even more impressive man in Jesus Christ (Jn 3:16). He is the God-man who was not understood by the world nor received by His own people (Jn 1:10–11). Disrespect persists, as it did for all who have ever been called and sent in the name of Yahweh, to make Him and His ways known. The world has never been the recipient of the Spirit of God; and it never will be (Jn 14:17). Only the elect, redeemed, regenerate, believers are the recipients of Christ, as manifest in their testimony of faith and subsequent works (Jas 2:18, 20, 26).
Belshazzar pretended not to know the mighty works of Yahweh through the young Hebrew men, but Daniel called out Belshazzar for his pretension and pride, “You knew all this” (5:22); and “You have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven” (5:23); and “You have praised the gods” (5:23); and “You have not glorified” (5:23) the God who knows all things and controls all things.
If you and I were to be weighed and measured by God’s standard, we, too, would be found wanting. Our God is sovereign over one’s next breath. The Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind (Dan 4:17, 25, 32; 5:21). There is absolutely nothing rogue in any aspect of His creation. He is sovereign Lord of all (Ps 115:3; 135:6; Acts 10:36).
For these reasons and so many more, we must acknowledge Him in everything. When Yahweh shows mercy to whom He shows mercy, we should give thanks and praise. When He executes His righteous judgment with no mercy (Jos 11:20; Is 47:6), we must fear and tremble at His Word. Even Yahweh’s just wrath and punishment of the wicked is entirely praiseworthy.
Belshazzar, the fool, was killed that night. His soul was required of him when he least expected it (see Lk 12:20). His father had received the proverbial shot over the bow that warned him of consequences to his sins; and even after he was chastised in becoming a beast of a man, wandering under the dew of heaven, God restored him. Not so with Belshazzar. There was no warning; but there was immediate judgment. In this, we remember that the Lord knows those who are His; and we trust He will deal with each soul in a manner, in perfect accord with His eternal will and good pleasure.
My dear reader, let us consider the kindness and severity of the Lord of heaven (Rom 11:22). Let us praise Him, for His judgments are just. May we meditate on His Word, day and night; and think on His mercies toward us, for in them, we do not receive what we deserve (eternal punishment). He alone is worthy of our praise, for He is highly exalted, and it is right to glorify Him…for He shall reign, forever, and His kingdom has no end (Is 9:7; Dan 2:44; 6:26; Lk 1:33).
We have been weighed. We have been measured; and we, too, have been found wanting. Therefore, our only trust is in Him, who is merciful to whom He is merciful (Rom 9:15–16).
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
May 27, 2025
Daniel 5:1–31
