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  • Writer's pictureMorné Lötter

The Writing is against the wall

Let’s read Daniel 5. About 90% of people have used this saying before and never knew it’s something from the Bible. I mean who would’ve known? Probably only those who have studied the Book of Daniel. In short, it means your days are numbered... you’re almost at the end of your rope... you’re finished or the situation will be very difficult to overcome.

Focus verse:


“Suddenly the fingers of a man’s hand emerged and began writing opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace, and the king saw the back of the hand that did the writing.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭5:5‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬


What did the hand write? “Now this is the inscription that was written out: ‘MENĒ, MENĒ, TEKĒL, UPHARSIN.’”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭5:25‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬



The Interpretation was given by God through His prophet Daniel after being called up by Belshazzar. At this time Daniel was probably retired as Statesmen therefore the king didn't have direct access to him or the other viewpoint is that the king rejected the wisdom of the man of God.

“This is the interpretation of the message: ‘MENĒ’—God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it. ‘TEKĒL’—you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient. ‘PERĒS’—your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭5:26-28‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬




Weighed and found to light. King Belshazzar had 3 character challenges. You will find these challenges in the first 5 verses. Warren Wiersbe calls it:

  • Indulgence (vs 1) Party kinda guy.

  • Indifference (vs 1) No care about the dangers at the gates of Babylon. He had a false kinda confidence.

  • Irreverence (vs 2-4) Blasphemous kinda guy. He treated the God of Israel with arrogant disrespect.


Watch the wall -

You may have a message written by the finger of God you need to take note of. God is telling you something, but you look arrogantly upon the message. It's better to listen before oppression comes your way. My dad always said: 'If you don't listen you will feel'.


The finger of God defeated the Egyptians when Pharaoh refused to let His people go. (Ex 8:19)

The finger of God wrote the holy law of Moses on the tablets of stone (Ex 31:18). Jesus also said He cast demons out with the finger of God. (Luke 11:20).

Don‘t forget the lessons from the past

Some only know God when they're in trouble. Many people live life in arrogance Towards God. Belshazzar forgot there was a man like Daniel who would give sound and Godly advice. Do not become arrogant about the past.

Daniel spoke the truth even when it may have hurt him or the king.

The truth will prevail. The truth will set you free. Truth May pain, but pays. The truth stays the same. You can listen to the message here on FB:

https://fb.watch/4xUvATmob2/


God bless you. Take care of the small things and God will take care of the Big things.


Daniel took 5 little stones. God took care of the big giant. Moses took a branch-like stick and God opened the red sea and many other miracles also followed.

Gideon took 300 soldiers to defeat the armies of the Midianites and Amalekites. (Now the Israeli army was less than 1% of its original size and the proportion was 400 Midianite soldiers to each Israeli soldier. Gideon could only trust in God because there was nothing else to trust. - Enduring Word Bible Commentary).

We can even find in New Testament times many opportunities where God used the small we avail for His glory.


Let your light shine and take note of warning signs. The Holy Spirit will always guide and advise you.

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