The king also sees very well what is happening. It is the Lord who intervenes here at the feast. It seemed as if the unbelieving world could just celebrate and forget about its worries, as if nothing was wrong. Now it becomes clear that ultimately people can never keep the Lord out of their lives. He intervenes when he considers it necessary. At that moment, no one can stop him. The king is terrified. Fear overcomes him. He turns white with terror. He trembles like a reed in the wind. He cannot keep his body still; his knees knock together nervously.
The fingers have written something on the wall. But no one can read it. It seems to be a form of secret writing. That is exactly what frightens those present. What should they do? Is this a divine message and where does it come from? How can they find out what this means?
6 Then the king’s color changed, and his thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together.