He didn’t learn from the past – the writing was on the wall! In Daniel 5:1-31 the ruler of Babylon (the ancient superpower about 2,500 years ago) insulted God. He could have learned the lesson of his immediate predecessor, Nebchadnezzar, who was humbled before God, and then lifted high to such great power and glory. While Belshazzar knew all about God and how he is powerful, and how we ought to honour and worship him, he choose not to. But not only did he not learn the lesson of history, at a massive dinner party he choose to dishonour God by abusing the sacred items that had been taken from the temple in Jerusalem. In a metaphorical sense, he was spitting in God’s eye, by dishonouring him in such a public way. But then, a hand appeared and wrote on the wall, spelling out judgment for Belshazzar. He was weighted in the balance and found wanting. We could say that he was not warned like others were that he should turn from the judgment. Is it fair that he was summarily judged and died that night? The truth is that he was warned, through the lesson of his predecessor, although not directly. Just like him, we have been warned of the coming judgment of God on all that we have done (Romans 2:1-4). No-one is perfect, and we all have much to fear. That is, unless we have made our peace with God before going to trial. We can be forgiven, and avoid the judgment, if we place our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, ESV)