Daniel 5 – THE PARTY’S OVER
(I got this title from a song by the same name, written by Joel Hemphill.)
We use the expression “The Party’s Over” to say that whatever a person has enjoyed doing has been completed. Reality has set in, and a person must face whatever consequences are facing him.
Belshazzar, a wicked king, was literally having a party.
God was announcing that the party was over for Belshazzar.
The enemy armies were outside the city. The Kingdom of Babylon was about to fall to the Medes and Persians.
CORRUPTION OF THE KING Vss. 1-4
The king was committing blasphemy by drinking out of containers dedicated to God (Jerusalem temple), and praising his gods of wood and stone.
CONFUSION IN THE COURT Vss. 5-16
The mysterious fingers appear on the wall. Everyone is in a panic. Nobody could read the writing. The queen mother suggests that Daniel be called in.
CONSULTATION WITH THE PROPHET Vss. 17-24
Daniel reminds Belshazzar of Nebuchadnezzar’s rebellion against God, his judgment, restoration and repentance (See Daniel 4). Although Belshazzar knew these things, he rebelled against the Lord of heaven.
CONDEMNATION BY GOD Vss.25-31
God finished Belshazzar’s kingdom that night.