Expert: Brian Ray - 12/10/2007

Question
"You are weighed in the balances and found wanting."  what does that scripture say to me?

Answer
Hello Martha,

Thank you for your question, Martha. The inscription, or writing on the wall, as it literally was observed - a hand (at least fingers) appearing out of thin air and writing a brief and condemning edict - left the King and his dinner guests understandably, quite shaken.

In reply to "what does that scripture say to me" I believe it gives us a glimpse into the character of God. The God of the Bible is herein and elsewhere revealed to be a God who holds mankind individually accountable to Him. King Belshazzer was King because God put him in that position. New Testament scripture makes it clear that God sets up Kings and authorities and removes them when it serves his purpose. The setting in Daniel 5 indicates that Belshazzer was defiling the property that had been taken from the Temple. In short, God had had enough of Belshazzer's behavior and declared that it was judgement day.

We live in a culture that typically ignores God at best; essentially denying his existence and proper place in our lives as Creator let alone Redeemer. God created each of us to have a personal relationship with Him that can only occur when we submit ourselves to Him and humbly accept the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, His Son as the basis for our faith and beginnings of a personal relationship with Him.

Brian Ray