The history books of the Old Testament are full of leaders who stray from God's way, and come to an unpleasant end as a result. [Online]Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/archaeology-and-history/magazine/2017/01-02/babylon-mesopotamia-ancient-city-iraq/Frye, R. N., 2018. To this he added the reign of Evil-merodach, which, according to tradition, continued for twenty-three years, and his own reign of two years, making in all seventy. God saw the people of Babylon building this kingdom, represented by a tall tower. We forget that through Him we have everything we need, and Gods hand is over our lives. Belshazzar never acknowledged or honored the one true God for all his prosperity. 5:31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old. v.), is traced by the Rabbis to his miscalculation in chronology. How often do we misuse the gifts of God to engage in sin? Source: breakermaximus /Adobe Stock, Fenolls, J. L. M., 2017. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. To whom much is given, much is expected. Send for him, the queen tells him, and he will solve the mystery of the writing on the wall. pp. There follow several verses which make it clear that it is the kings failure to worship God and his preference for gold over God, if you like that has led to his kingdom becoming corrupt and decadent. The Greek writers Herodotus and Xenophon report that Babylon fell after it was besieged. Does God Really Work All Things Together for Good? Think about how much better his reign could've been had he appointed Daniel in an adviser position, and heard from him about what to do as King. He praised his wealth of silver and bronze. Now we need to add a caveat here that Nebuchadnezzar did not do the right thing by destroying and pillaging all these cities. Friends? For the longest time, many nations paid tribute to Babylon just so they wouldn't get sacked. Alexander the Great & The Opis Mutiny, Humans Have Been Making New Years Resolutions for Over 4,000 Years, Gateway to the Heavens: The Assyrian Account of the Tower of Babel, Mesopotamian Kings Were Slapped in the Face in the Ancient Akitu Festival, The Ancient Origins of New Years Celebrations. The whole point of the fifth chapter is a comparison between the great Nebuchadnezzar, the real founder of the Babylonian monarchy, and the insignificant last king who suffered the reins of government to slip from his feeble hands, with a prophetic emphasis on the coming stranger people who should divide among them the empire of Nebuchadnezzar. Following the death of Ashurbanipal around 627 BC, civil war broke out in the Neo-Assyrian Empire, causing it to weaken. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! Medieval Hygiene Might Have Been Better Than You Think, The Macuahuitl: An Aztec Warriors Lethal and Sacred Weapon (Video), What Did Ancient Egypt Really Look Like? Because God Wanted the Empire to Fall. Panorama of Babylon ruins, Hillah, Iraq. Why did Nebuchadnezzar change Daniels name to Belteshazzar? Neolithic Stone Balls: The Northern Rosetta Stone? Why Does God Compare Our Relationship with Him to That of a Bride and Groom? Daniel interpreted their dreams and told them what God was trying to say to the through them. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning, Bel protect the king!, the last of the kings of Babylon ( Daniel 5:1 ). The idol of comfortRevelation 18:14-17 - Babylon was clothed in luxury and wealth. Even though God allowed Babylon to invade Jerusalem, He would not let their evil deeds go unpunished.