Whoever reads this writing, and shows me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. Daniel 5:7 ESV
Fear Not… Then Read the Handwriting on the Wall
Today, when we think about the ‘handwriting on the wall,’ we think of something obvious, clear, and unavoidable. But when Belshazzar, King of Babylon saw a disembodied hand writing mysteriously on his palace wall, he was confused, concerned, and afraid.
He did not know what the writing meant.
He had no idea.
Nothing was obvious or clear. The writing was in Hebrew, not readable by Belshazzar, just three strange words… the writing was enigmatic, even knowing the meaning of the words: number, balance, and divide, did not make the message understandable… the writing was mysterious, and so Belshazzar sought help.
God was warning Belshazzar that his arrogance, his cruelty, and his rejection of the One True God was about to have consequences. But those consequences were not unavoidable.
If the King repented and turned to God, Belshazzar’s kingdom could remain, and Belshazzar could live.
But for Daniel, the handwriting on the wall was indeed obvious and clear.
Because Daniel knew God. Because Daniel knew God’s Word. Because Daniel knew that God always meant what God says.
Ironically, if Belshazzar had known those things, the handwriting on the wall would have been… well… the handwriting on the wall.
God’s writing is clear. And its message is clear. We’re in trouble. And Jesus is THE answer.
Fear not, and read the handwriting on the wall.