The billy goat stands for the kingdom of the Greeks. The huge horn on
its forehead is the first Greek king. The four horns that sprouted after it was
broken off are the four kings that come after him, but without his power.
Most countries have a national animal that represents their
nation. The United States is identified with Bald Eagle. Some other countries
that claim various other eagles as their national animal are: Albania, Germany,
Nigeria, Egypt, Mexico, and Poland. Several countries are symbolized by the
lion including England, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Iran, Ethiopia, Singapore,
and Sri Lanka. Only Finland and Russia claim the bear, although Greenland is
represented by the Polar Bear and Australia has the kangaroo, emu and
(unofficially) the Koala Bear. Both the Philippines and Vietnam honor the Water
Buffalo. Canada is represented by the beaver and the Canadian Horse. Israel has
the Israeli Gazelle and the Palestine Territories, the Palestine Sunbird. The
largest animal on earth, the Humpback Whale, is the national animal of the
island nation, Bermuda. One of my family’s favorite, the hippopotamus, is
symbolic of the country of Togo. Greece now has the dolphin as its national
animal. Wikipedia gives an extensive list of national animals.
In Daniel’s second vision the ram represents the
Medo-Persian Empire and the billy goat symbolizes the Grecian Empire. Those are
both empires that took over Babylon as prophesied in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Alexander
the Great was the Greek ruler that was responsible for taking control of much
of the known world. Greek became the common language and was still predominately
used in Jesus time. God used the Greeks and their language to spread the gospel,
even writing much of the New Testament in Greek. Alexander associated himself
with Greek gods, making himself a god to his countrymen. The first commandment
in the Bible is found in Exodus 20:3, “You
shall have no other gods before Me.” (NASB) Alexander ruled only about
twelve years before he died. He was succeeded by four of his generals.
English is such a common language today. We can communicate
with people around the world—as we travel or on the internet—using English. Do
you share the gospel with people of other nationalities? Can you share the
gospel without using words? Some missionaries explain the gospel using stick
figures or the Jesus cube which is a rotating block that pictorially tells
about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Symbolically animals may be
associated with particular countries, but individual people need to be
associated with a savior. Connecting people and Jesus is one of the most
important things we can do in our lives.
Lord Jesus, help us to
see beyond the symbolism of nations, to see the hope that You provide for us.
© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Scripture from The Message, except where noted.
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