To start off this week we are going to look at one very old story with two common every-day idioms.
1) The writing on the wall, and 2) weighed in the balance.
According to idioms.thefreedictionary.com, to weigh something in the balance is to consider the positive and negative implications of something very carefully, especially when deciding. To be weighed in the balance and found wanting is to be judged deficient or substandard after being tested or reviewed. It is to carefully ponder or assess the merits and demerits of something.
And, if you say the writing is on the wall you mean that there are clear signs that a situation is going to become difficult or unpleasant, or that something is going to fail.
Neither have positive connotations.
King Belshazzar held a huge feast for a thousand of his lords. No doubt he was drunk when he commanded that the Temple vessels from Jerusalem be brought in so that they could drink from them. And as the Babylonians drank, a hand appeared and wrote on the wall.
Belshazzar called for his magicians and diviners to interpret the writing, but they were unable even to read it.
“…his nobles were baffled.” Daniel 5:9 NIV
Astonied KJV
Astonished NKJV
Perplexed ESV
Shaken NLT
They had no idea, and this was not a good position for men in their position.
The queen then advised Belshazzar to send for Daniel. She remined him that Daniel was well known through the kingdom for his wisdom. Daniel was brought in, and the king offered to make him third in rank in the kingdom if he could interpret the writing.
Daniel declined the raise in rank but agreed to do as the king had requested.
“Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation.” Daniel 5:17 ESV
He reminded Belshazzar that his father Nebuchadnezzar's greatness was because of God, and that when he became arrogant God threw him down until he learned humility: "But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him.” Daniel 5:20 ESV
Belshazzar had drunk from the vessels of God's Holy Temple and praised his idols, but he had not given honor to God, and so God sent this hand and wrote these words: "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN" and interpreted them for the king:
"MENE, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; “TEKEL, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting;" and
"PARSIN", your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.
“That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was killed. And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.” Daniel 5:30-31 ESV
Weighed in the balance and found wanting. The writing is on the wall.
Next time you hear, or use, one of these phrases, remember the story of Daniel and his faithfulness to God; think of his incredible connection to heaven; and remember how Daniel remained true to his beliefs and his Creator.
by Jeanette Stark – Monday, July 24, 2023
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