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We have heard the expression the writing is on the wall, not really knowing the origin of cliche. “the handwriting on the wall,” which proclaims  a clear warning of inevitable misfortune.”

The cliche’s origin comes from the book of Daniel  chapter 5  as it tells the story of the Babylonian ruler Belshazzar, a rich and debauched king, who gave a banquet to his court. During the drunken party, the sacred vessels which were stolen from the temple were being used in a  blasphemous manner. In other words they were defacing what had been sanctified, set aside as holy.

At the height of the festivities, a man’s hand was seen writing on the wall the mysterious words “mene mene tekel upharsin”. The king became terrified, wondering what is this, what is happening, how is this happening. Not only did the fact that the writing was appearing with no apparent person writing it. 

To further complicate and ignite fear no one could understand what the words meant. All attempts at interpretation by Belshazzar’s wise men failed until the prophet Daniel was called in.

Daniel was one of the captives from Judah brought to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel was given wisdom from God to read and translate the words, which meant “numbered, numbered, weighed, divided.” 

Daniel told the king, “Here is what these words mean: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. Tekel: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians” 

The handwriting on the wall proved true. In fact, it proved fatal for the dissolute Belshazzar. Just as Daniel had said, the kingdom of Babylon was divided between the Medes and Persians, and it happened that very night. Belshazzar was slain, and his kingdom passed to Darius the Mede (Daniel 5:30–31).

The appearance of the writing on the  king’s wall is a reminder that whatever we sow, that we will also reap (Galatians 6:7–8). God is the Judge; He justly weighs all matters and metes out retribution in His time (Psalm 94:2). 

Sometimes God speaks very clearly into our lives, convicting us of sin and warning us of pending judgment (see John 16:8). It does not pay to ignore the “handwriting on the wall.”

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