Daniel 5:5
In the same hour came forth fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king’s palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
Daniel 5:5 (KJV)
Context
The events of Daniel 5 take place during the Babylonian captivity. King Belshazzar hosted a great feast, using the sacred vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem. In the midst of this revelry, a mysterious hand appeared and wrote on the palace wall, filling the king and his guests with terror.
Meaning
The hand was not attached to a body; it was a supernatural manifestation, likely by the agency of an angel, sent to deliver a message from God. It wrote on the plaster of the wall opposite the lampstand, so the writing was clearly illuminated and visible. The king saw the hand as it wrote, making him an eyewitness to this divine sign.
The writing was in a language the king and his wise men could not understand, which troubled Belshazzar deeply. He sought an interpretation from anyone who could provide it, and Daniel, a Hebrew captive known for his wisdom, was brought before the king.
Daniel interpreted the words “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin” as a judgment from God. “Mene” meant that God had numbered the king’s days and brought his reign to an end. “Tekel” meant that Belshazzar had been weighed in the balances and found lacking. “Upharsin” meant that the kingdom would be divided and given to the Medes and Persians.
Biblical connections
The sudden appearance of the hand and the writing on the wall demonstrate God’s sovereign power to interrupt human affairs and communicate directly with rulers, regardless of their earthly authority. The contrast between human revelry and divine intervention shows that God can act at any moment to reveal His will and judgment.
Divine judgment: Belshazzar’s disregard for the sacred vessels and his prideful actions led to his downfall and the fall of the Babylonian empire.
Importance of humility: Belshazzar’s arrogance and failure to heed the warnings from his father Nebuchadnezzar’s experience with God serve as a lesson to humble ourselves before God and not exalt ourselves in pride.
God’s faithfulness: Despite being captives in a foreign land, Daniel and his companions remained faithful. Daniel’s interpretation demonstrated that God was still at work and would fulfil His promises.
Application
This verse reminds us that God sees the pride and sacrilege of human hearts and can intervene at any moment. It calls us to live humbly before Him, honouring what is sacred and heeding His warnings, knowing that He is sovereign over all rulers and nations.
Reflection
Consider how you respond when God reveals His truth or conviction. Belshazzar was terrified because his conscience was guilty. May we, unlike him, respond with repentance and humility, trusting that God’s judgments are just and His faithfulness endures.
