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Then was Daniel brought in before the king (ver. 13). In introducing the present subject the following features and incidents of the history need vivid and powerful setting: suddenness of the apparition - only fingers writing - in ancient Hebrew characters (same as those of the two Sinaitic tables) - on the plain plaster over against the candlestick - seen by its light - the effect upon the king, pale, trembling, sobered (he will not die drunk) - a great cry for help - why "third ruler"? (Belshazzar co-repent with his father Nabcnadius) - inability of the magi - consternation and confusion of the assembly - Daniel still in the king's employ, but probably in some obscure position (Daniel 8:1, 27) - appearance of the queen-mother on the scene - Daniel called - the advent of the seer, now more than eighty - had been sixty-eight years in Babylon. Picture the tremendous scene, with a background of night, through which seen obscurely the action of the besieging army.

I. To the sinner sooner or later comes A MOMENT OF AWAKING. It is somewhat hazardous to make a universal affirmative; but all we know of God and his dealings with men justifies us in asserting that, sooner or later, God effectually awakens every sinner to his own condition and the Divine claim.

1. The means.

(1) Words from God. Give breadth to the contents of this phrase, whilst insisting on the fact that God oft appeals to sinners by giving a new setting and power to Scripture words. The truth is to be impressed that he speaks variously to men - by aspects of nature, providence, etc.

(2) Accompanied by some evidence of the Divine. Along with the mystic characters the king saw "the fingers," but only the fingers.

(3) But not all that would be possible. The hand, the arm, the whole form of the agent writing might have been discovered. The effect overwhelming. But, no! This ever like God in all his dealings. No evidence of the Divine so overpowering as to shut the mind up to one irresistible conclusion. Nothing like mathematical demonstration. If so, where were the moral elements? This is nevertheless what sinners ask, and what God will not, cannot (respecting man's moral nature) grant.

(4) Coming with impressive undemonstrativeness. No vain show, or noise, or thunder, or lightning; no flaming sword! Only writing! "A still, small voice!"

2. The immediate effect. Note:

(1) What it was. Terror.

(2) Why it was. Nothing in the writing to alarm, so long as uninterpreted. The reason lay there in the king's own conscience. God set his own thoughts against the king.

3. The final end. Not necessarily judgment; the rather mercy. Nor do we know the warning wasted. Many who began the night in revelry may have been awed to penitence and prayer ere they slept the sleep that knows no waking.

II. At such a moment HE MAY FLY FOR SALVATION TO THE INCOMPETENT. TO look at matters in the light of modern experience, we may observe that the king fled for help to the scientists real or pretended. The following propositions may well be insisted on in our time:

1. Scientists fall into three classes. (Scientists, here, they who know.)

(1) Those acquainted with things material.

(2) Mental - things of the ψυχή. Moral, spiritual - things of the πνεῦμα. This classification may not be philosophically perfect, but can be" understanded of the people;" and is sufficient.

2. A false science is useless. Such was much of the magian learning.

3. A true science avails only in its own sphere. A competent leader in natural philosophy or in psychology may be of no use in dealing with a conscience awakened and alarmed. Disregard of this in our modern life. Scientists of the first class (see above) dogmatizing in both metaphysics and theology (Colossians 2:18).

4. Man needs one who knows the moral nature, and its relation to God, and both lighted by special revelations. Such was Daniel - the Christ in Daniel (John 1:9; 1 Peter 1:11) - the Christ of all the ages, and they who have his Spirit.

III. BUT ONLY TO BE DRIVEN BACK ON GOD. In this case the king was constrained to seek unto God in the presence of hit representative Daniel. - R.

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KJV: 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.

WEB: In the same hour came forth the fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.