Have you ever used the phrase, “I saw the handwriting on the wall”? It is an idiom that refers to being able to know something in advance, usually because we have been warned. Someone who sees the handwriting on the wall may start looking for a new job before he is fired, or buy a new car before the clunker breaks down for good.
The expression originates from the Bible’s Old Testament book of Daniel. In the fifth chapter Babylon’s king Belshazzar is throwing a huge banquet for a thousand of his leaders. The feast seems ill-time because Babylon was currently under siege and the Medes and Persians had cut off all supplies into the city. While the wine was flowing freely Belshazzar ordered that the golden vessels from the temple be brought in and used as goblets; drinking from the cups his father had stolen when he sacked Jerusalem, the king made a toast to his gods. That was the last straw.
Suddenly, what appeared to be a human hand began to write on the wall. When none of the king’s wise men could interpret the message, Daniel was summoned. The message, MENE MENE TEKEL PARSIN, can be translated this way: You have been evaluated and found to be lacking. Your days are numbered, and your kingdom will be taken from you and divided in half.
And that is what happened. That very night the king was killed and his kingdom was divided between the Medes and Persians. No one would ever forget the night the king saw the handwriting on the wall.
We have a similar opportunity to see the handwriting on the wall each time we open up the Bible. We can see the mistakes made by others, heed the warnings, and avoid making those same mistakes. We can read about the soon-coming rapture of the church and make sure we are ready. We can note how to be saved and escape the wrath of God.
At the end of our lives we cannot stand before God and plead ignorance. We have seen the handwriting on the wall. I encourage you to make any necessary changes in your life before you regret it.
The expression originates from the Bible’s Old Testament book of Daniel. In the fifth chapter Babylon’s king Belshazzar is throwing a huge banquet for a thousand of his leaders. The feast seems ill-time because Babylon was currently under siege and the Medes and Persians had cut off all supplies into the city. While the wine was flowing freely Belshazzar ordered that the golden vessels from the temple be brought in and used as goblets; drinking from the cups his father had stolen when he sacked Jerusalem, the king made a toast to his gods. That was the last straw.
Suddenly, what appeared to be a human hand began to write on the wall. When none of the king’s wise men could interpret the message, Daniel was summoned. The message, MENE MENE TEKEL PARSIN, can be translated this way: You have been evaluated and found to be lacking. Your days are numbered, and your kingdom will be taken from you and divided in half.
And that is what happened. That very night the king was killed and his kingdom was divided between the Medes and Persians. No one would ever forget the night the king saw the handwriting on the wall.
We have a similar opportunity to see the handwriting on the wall each time we open up the Bible. We can see the mistakes made by others, heed the warnings, and avoid making those same mistakes. We can read about the soon-coming rapture of the church and make sure we are ready. We can note how to be saved and escape the wrath of God.
At the end of our lives we cannot stand before God and plead ignorance. We have seen the handwriting on the wall. I encourage you to make any necessary changes in your life before you regret it.
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