Kids Resource
1. When Belshazzar hosted a great feast, what did he order for them to drink from to toast to the gods of Babylon?
They drank from vessels that were from the Israelite Temple from Jerusalem, gold and silver cups. Belshazzar praised the gods of the idols of Babylon.
2. In the middle of the feast, what showed up out of nowhere? What did it say?
The fingers of a human hand wrote out a message on the wall of the king’s palace so everyone could see the message. It said, “Mene Mene Tekel Parsin.”
3. Who did the King call to interpret the writing?
First, the king brought in the wise men of Babylon to read the writing and to declare the message to the king but no one could. Finally, the queen told the king about Daniel and how he interpreted the dreams of Nebuchadnezzar, his grandfather.
4. What did Daniel remind King Belshazzar of before he interpreted the dream?
Daniel reminded Belshazzar about the days of his grandfather. He reminded him how God humbled Nebuchadnezzar and then how Nebuchadnezzar finally humbled himself before God. Even though Belshazzar knew about all this, he did not humble his heart before God, nor honor God, and so God was going to humble him.
5. What did the writing mean and what happened to Belshazzar that very night?
The writing meant that God has Belshazzar’s kingdom numbered and it is coming to an end. God weighed Belshazzar’s actions and found him wanting (which means guilty), and finally, very soon, Belshazzar’s kingdom would be taken from him and split to the Medes and Persians. That same night, the Medo-Persian army, who was already laying siege to Babylon, attacked and diverted the river so they could come in without attacking the walls. That night, Belshazzar was killed and the Persians began to reign.
6. What does this tell us about who God is?
God is able to humble those who walk in pride. God is the living and one true God and he can take down kings and set up kings. God is sovereign over all kings and nations. We should respond to him with honoring him as Lord and submitting to him by humbling ourselves.
7. How does this point us to Jesus?
God will one day set up a kingdom where his Son will rule and reign eternally. Humble yourself before this king and give your life to him. (Psalm 2) Jesus is the righteous king who humbled himself before God and, because Jesus honored his Father, the Father honors his Son. (Phil 2, John 5:23)