Mysterious Fingers Write a Message

Years after the fiery furnace, there was a new king named Belshazzar. He threw a HUGE party with a thousand guests. There was lots of food and wine everywhere.

Then the king had a very bad idea. He said, 'Bring me those special gold and silver cups that came from God's temple in Jerusalem!' These were HOLY cups, meant only for worshiping God. But the king wanted to use them for his party!

He and his guests drank wine from God's holy cups. They made toasts to fake gods made of gold, silver, and wood. They were making fun of the real God!

Suddenly, everyone got very quiet. They saw something SCARY. Floating in the air was a HAND—just a hand, with no body! And the hand was WRITING on the wall with its finger!

The king's face turned white. His knees started shaking. He was so scared!

'Someone read that writing!' the king shouted. 'I'll give gold and fancy clothes to whoever can tell me what it says!'

All his wise men came. But NONE of them could read the strange words on the wall.

Then the queen mother remembered Daniel. 'There's a man who can help! His name is Daniel. God gives him special wisdom!'

They brought in Daniel. He was an old man now, but he still loved God.

The king said, 'If you can read this, I'll make you an important ruler!'

Daniel said, 'You can keep your gifts. But I'll tell you what it means. You used God's holy cups for your party. You praised fake gods. You did not honor the true God who gave you everything. So God sent this message.'

Daniel read the words: 'MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN.'

'Here's what it means,' Daniel said. 'MENE means God has counted the days of your kingdom, and it's ending. TEKEL means you've been weighed, and you're not good enough. PARSIN means your kingdom will be divided and given to other people.'

That very NIGHT, everything Daniel said came true! Enemy soldiers came into the city. The king died, and a new king took over.

The mysterious writing was God's warning. When we disrespect God, there are consequences. We should always honor God and treat holy things with respect!