“But I have heard that you can give interpretations and solve problems.“
-Daniel 5:16a
Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin.
You just read the writing on the wall.
Yep, this is where the phrase comes from. Daniel interpreted words written on a wall by some disembodied hand. Right in front of King Belshazzar.
When nobody else could explain it, they sent for Daniel, who was gifted in such things. And here’s what he said:
This is the interpretation of the matter: mene: God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; tekel: you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting; peres: your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.
-Daniel 5:26-28
I see the interpreting. What about the problem-solving? He offered no solution for the King, and by the end of the night, Belshezzar was dead.
Daniel didn’t solve the problem, he exposed it. And in doing so, his problems were just beginning. A chapter later he was in the lion’s den.
Daniel showed a lot of chutzpah (a good Jewish word) to speak up as he did. It takes a risk to speak TRUTH (discerned)… to POWER (misused). In doing so, he caused more problems for himself.
Daniel didn’t start off as a prophet. He was just a guy… living his faith in a place that didn’t want it. He lived what he believed. Even in exile. Even when put on the spot. And there were consequences.
Perhaps the biggest problem he (and we) face is the inner tug to stay silent. Reading the words on the wall but not giving voice to them.
I see that all the time in myself and others. Oddly, I don’t see that in Daniel. Maybe he does qualify as a problem solver.
Nobody wants to be fed to the lions. I understand the need to choose one’s words carefully.
But if you find yourself boxed in by walls of hate, injustice, or simple complicity, take a good look at what’s revealed there.
God may be prodding you to let the world know what you have read.
If people question the validity of your words, or think you’re claiming to have it all figured out…
just tell them,
you’re Dansplaining.
Have a great week,
Mitch
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