Daniel 8
Today's Passage: Daniel 8
Daniel begins by seeing a ram with two horns. This is a representation of the Medo-Persian Empire who was coming to overtake Babylon. As we’ve studied in Ezra on Sunday mornings, the King of Persia was Cyrus. He allowed the Jews who were exiled in Babylon to go back home.
But then, Daniel sees a goat with a horn coming towards the ram. The goat represents Alexander the Great, the King of Greece. He was the one who overtook the Babylonian Empire.
Eventually the great horn of the goat is broken (Alexander dies), and four horns take its place. In history, once Alexander died, the kingdom of Greece was split between his four generals. The generals constantly fought for power. As verse 23 describes, one of the generals really takes power. From history, we know this to be Antiochus IV. And verse 24 describes his wickedness: he shall succeed in what he does and destroy mighty men and the people who are saints. Antiochus IV did just that. He wanted all people to follow Greek culture, so he banned circumcision, ended temple sacrifices in Jerusalem, defiled the temple by offering unlawful sacrifices, placed a sculpture of Zeus in the temple, and killed those who remained faithful to God.
For Daniel, this terrifies him because He knows all that is about to happen. But throughout the chapter, we can see how God is in control of all things. In verse 24, God is the one who gave Antiochus IV his power. God is also the one who is going to take it away (v. 25b). And even in the hardship, God was working for His people. God promises a time of restoration for His people (v. 14).
Sometimes it can be hard to trust God in difficult situations. During those moments, we can remind ourselves that God is not surprised by anything. Instead, He is working all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
How does today’s passage encourage you to trust God?
Written By: Brice Stockton
Daniel begins by seeing a ram with two horns. This is a representation of the Medo-Persian Empire who was coming to overtake Babylon. As we’ve studied in Ezra on Sunday mornings, the King of Persia was Cyrus. He allowed the Jews who were exiled in Babylon to go back home.
But then, Daniel sees a goat with a horn coming towards the ram. The goat represents Alexander the Great, the King of Greece. He was the one who overtook the Babylonian Empire.
Eventually the great horn of the goat is broken (Alexander dies), and four horns take its place. In history, once Alexander died, the kingdom of Greece was split between his four generals. The generals constantly fought for power. As verse 23 describes, one of the generals really takes power. From history, we know this to be Antiochus IV. And verse 24 describes his wickedness: he shall succeed in what he does and destroy mighty men and the people who are saints. Antiochus IV did just that. He wanted all people to follow Greek culture, so he banned circumcision, ended temple sacrifices in Jerusalem, defiled the temple by offering unlawful sacrifices, placed a sculpture of Zeus in the temple, and killed those who remained faithful to God.
For Daniel, this terrifies him because He knows all that is about to happen. But throughout the chapter, we can see how God is in control of all things. In verse 24, God is the one who gave Antiochus IV his power. God is also the one who is going to take it away (v. 25b). And even in the hardship, God was working for His people. God promises a time of restoration for His people (v. 14).
Sometimes it can be hard to trust God in difficult situations. During those moments, we can remind ourselves that God is not surprised by anything. Instead, He is working all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
How does today’s passage encourage you to trust God?
Written By: Brice Stockton
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