The King Who Knew Better

Lesson Objectives

• Identify how Belshazzar dishonored God.
• Explain why Daniel held Belshazzar responsible for what he knew.
• Contrast Belshazzar’s pride with Jesus’ humility at the cross.
• Apply the warning against hearing God’s word without obeying it.

Thesis

Belshazzar knew what God had done but refused to humble himself, while Jesus humbled Himself at the cross and will be confessed as Lord by every tongue.

1. Belshazzar Dishonored God: Daniel 5:1–9

Belshazzar used vessels from God’s temple to honor idols. God stopped the feast and left Babylon’s wise men without an answer.

1. What did Belshazzar do with the temple vessels?

2. Belshazzar Knew What God Had Done: Daniel 5:10–23

Daniel reminded the king that God had humbled Nebuchadnezzar. Belshazzar knew this history but chose the same pride.

2. What did Nebuchadnezzar learn after God humbled him?

3. According to verse 22, why was Belshazzar accountable?

3. God Judged Belshazzar That Night: Daniel 5:24–31

God numbered the kingdom, weighed the king, and gave Babylon to the Medes and Persians. The judgment came that same night.

4. What did MENE, TEKEL, and PERES declare?

5. What response from Belshazzar does the text never record?

4. Jesus Is the King We Must Obey: Philippians 2:8–11

Belshazzar exalted himself and lost his kingdom. Jesus humbled Himself to death on a cross, and God highly exalted Him as Lord.

6. How does Jesus’ humility answer Belshazzar’s pride?

Application

7. What command from God have I understood but continued to put off?

8. What must I do now to humble myself and obey Him?

Personal Response

Truth to hold:

Obedience to practice:

Prayer: