Scripture

It even challenged the commander of heaven’s armies, cancelling the daily sacrifices offered to him and by destroying his Temple

Observation

Daniel recounts another vision of future Empires. This vision is explained in the second half of the chapter. In the vision, a ram with two long horns stands beside the river at Susa. This ram, butts everything in every direction, and no one can stand against him.

A male goat appears swiftly from the West, The goat tramples the ram and nobody can stop him.

The goat becomes very powerful, but at the height of its power, the horn is broken off and replaced by four smaller horns. From one of these horns comes another horn that extends into Israel. This horn attacks the Heavenly Army challenging the Commander Himself.

One of the holy ones asks, “How long will the temple be trampled on?” The other responds “2, 300 days and nights.”

Application

There is an arrogance at the heart of men and women who do not surrender to God. Sometimes this takes the form of petty rebellion and wanton sin. In the case of rulers of nations, it becomes defiance against God and His people, even to the point of attacking God Himself.

How can we be so insolent and deceived?

How can we, the creatures, take issue with the Creator?

This defies all logic, and yet has been the universal experience of humanity.

Praise God for his forbearance with us,

Praise God for dealing with our sins in sending His Son to lay down His life for us.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for your great patience with us. Thank you that while I was still a sinner, Jesus died for me. Amen.