JULY 13, 2025 – WEIGHED

READ: Dan. 5:25-30: … you have been weighed … and found wanting …

Daniel explains the inscription:  “Mene” means numbered – that is, God has numbered the days of your kingship and brought it to an end. The repetition of “mene” emphasizes this. God, who determines time, who governs all paths and deeds, who gives breath to man – He puts an end to your reign.

“Tekel” means weighed; it gives the reason for the end. You have been weighed in the balance and found wanting. The Lord God judges every thought, word, and deed. That applies to everyone – both in the world and in the church.

This king does not meet the standard the Lord requires. He is obligated to submit to the Lord, and he completely fails in that. Instead, he has exalted himself against the King of kings. He is found too light – unworthy and therefore useless.

“Peres” tells what will happen to his kingdom: it will be divided and given to the Medes and Persians. That is the end of the Babylonian Empire. God’s hand breaks its power – exactly as was already indicated in Dan. 2 and prophesied by Jeremiah.

Daniel takes a great risk by delivering this warning. What courage it takes to confront this despotic king with his sins and proclaim God’s judgment over him. Daniel shows a bravery and strength similar to what the Lord gave to Moses and Elijah.

The two witnesses representing the church in Rev. 11 also exemplify this, (vs.6): “These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls … and … waters to turn them to blood and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.”

The Babylon of Daniel’s time is a model for the Babylon of our day. How do we bear witness and call people to repentance in this world?

Do we have the same task as the two witnesses had?

Sing: Ps. 2:4