In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how he spoke to King Nebuchadnezzar about his dream and said, “You, O king, are a king of kings: for the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven has he given into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all. You are this head of gold. And after you shall arise another kingdom inferior to you, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaks in pieces and subdues all things: and as iron that breaks all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise”, and in Daniel chapter two and verse forty-one Daniel shared how he told King Nebuchadnezzar, “you saw the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron” where we read,
And whereas you saw the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as you saw the iron mixed with miry clay.
The verse reads, “And whereas you saw the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided;” Daniel began with the words, “and whereas you saw” or “and because you, King Nebuchadnezzar, perceived, noticed, discerned, distinguished and observed” “the feet and the toes” which means “the physical feet and toes of the feet”, “part of potter's clay” or “portion or section pertaining to the clay which is used by a potter”, “and part of iron”which means “and a portion or section pertaining to iron metal”, “the kingdom shall be divided” or “the royal reign and rule will become separated and apart”. Daniel shared how King Nebuchadnezzar also observed the physical “feet and toes” of the massive image which where comprised of portions of “clay” that is used by a potter and a portion of iron metal which were combined and represented how this royal realm would be separated from one another.
The verse continues, “but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as you saw the iron mixed with miry clay.” Daniel added the words, “but there shall be in it” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover there will exist within this kingdom” “of the strength of the iron” or “the power and might pertaining to iron metal”, “forasmuch as you saw the iron” which means “inasmuch and because you, King Nebuchadnezzar, perceived, noticed, discerned, distinguished and observed” “mixed with miry clay” or “joining and commingled alongside marshy, muddy and sloppy clods or potsherd”. Daniel shared how this “kingdom” would have a mixture of powerful and mighty iron, but it would also have muddy clods within it.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel about another “kingdom” that was to arise on the scene. The “head of gold”, the breast and arms of “silver”, the “brass” waist and upper legs along with the lower legs of “iron metal” would all descend into this final kingdom. God was at work among mankind to bring them a “Savior” from the penalty of death for their sins, and He sent His Son Jesus through this descension of empires to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When God raised Jesus from the dead after three days, all who put their faith and trust in Him will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and given an understanding through His Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth and to help them appreciate the great lengths God went to have them live with Him throughout all eternity.
Next time Daniel shares how he told King Nebuchadnezzar, “the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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