Then a powerful king will show up and take over a huge territory and
run things just as he pleases. But at the height of his power, with everything
seemingly under control, his kingdom will split into four parts, like the four
points of the compass. But his heirs won't get in on it. There will be no
continuity with his kingship. Others will tear it to pieces and grab whatever
they can get for themselves.
I was never particularly fond of history, but it has become fascinating to learn more about the ancient history of the Jewish people and Israel and to see that these early predictions have come true. It will be truly exciting to continue to see Daniel’s visions come to pass. The four rulers of Babylonia in the Medo-Persian Empire time
mentioned in verse two included Cyrus (who let the Jews return to Jerusalem),
Cambyses, Darius Hystaspis, and then Ahasuerus (also known as Xerxes in the
Book of Esther). In Verse 3, this powerful king that shows up is none other
than the well known Alexander the Great who controlled the world from Europe to
India by the time he was thirty-three. When he died in 323 BC four of his
generals took over his kingdom, not any of his relatives since they were all
murdered within months of his death. Alexander’s generals, representing the
four points of the compass, were: Lysimachus, Cassander, Ptolemy I Soter, and
Seleucus I Nicator. These last two generals and their descendants became rulers
over Israel in the coming years.
Alexander ran his kingdom in his own way—by his own will—and
he still wasn’t satisfied. Colossians 3:2 tells us, Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth
(NASB). Philippians 3:19-21 also tells us about setting our minds on earthly
things—seeking one’s own interests or advantage: …(those who are enemies of the cross of Christ) whose end is
destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame,
who set their minds on earthly things.
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior,
the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into
conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has
even to subject all things to Himself (NASB). Alexander the Great set his mind on earthly things that resulted
in a power hunger—to do things in his own way and it sadly ended with his early
death. Jesus wants to transform us. We need to focus on Him, as He is in
heaven, to conform to leading our lives in His way, and to follow the commandments of loving the
Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our mind, and
loving our neighbor as ourselves (see Matthew 22:37-39). Can you seek Jesus
with all your heart? Will you try today?
Lord, I am hungry for
Your love. I am setting my mind on things above—on You. Earthly things don’t
matter as much to me as pleasing You and showing Your love to those around me.
Happy Anniversary to Mike & Melissa! May God continue to
bless and guide you as you seek and serve Him. Love & Prayers.
© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Scripture from The Message, except where noted.
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