In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power”, and in chapter eight and verse seven of his book Daniel said, “I saw him come close to the ram … and smote the ram” where we read,
And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and broke his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stomped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.
The verse reads, “And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and broke his two horns:” Daniel began with the words, “and I saw him come close” or “and I, Daniel, noticed, discerned and observed him, the goat, approaching very near” “to the ram” which means “toward the ram animal”,“and he was moved with choler against him” or “and he, the goat, was strongly embittered, provoked and engaged in opposition to the ram”, “and smote the ram” which means “and struck, beat, gave a thrust to and attacked in opposition to the ram animal”, “and broke his two horns” or “and wrecked, ruptured, crippled and maimed his, the ram’s, two protrusions”. Daniel shared how the “he goat” approached very near to the “ram” while being strongly engage in opposition to him and attacked the ram so ferociously that he ruptured and maimed the “ram’s” two protrusions coming from his head.
The verse goes on to say, “and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stomped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.” Daniel added the words, “and there was no power” or “and there existed not any might, strength or ability” “in the ram” which means “within the ram animal” “to stand before him” or “to be set up, established and fixed in front or in the presence of the he goat”, “but he cast him down to the ground” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover he, the he goat, threw him, the ram, down to the earth”, “and stomped on him” or “and trampled him, the ram”: “and there was none” which means “and there existed not one person or entity” “that could deliver the ram” or “who was able to rescue and save the ram animal” “out of his hand” which means “from his, the he goat’s, hand of power, might and authority”. Daniel shared how the “ram” was so defeated by the “he goat” that no might or ability to be established in the “he goat’s” presence was found in him, The “ram” was thrown to the earth, trampled upon and without anyone to rescue him.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how the “he goat” was fierce and direct in it’s assault against the “ram”. The “goat” destroyed the “ram”, and Daniel observed it. We shall see what this means in our next verses, but for now let us think about how God had knowledge of all these things well in advance of their taking place. That’s because He is omniscient, and He dwells in the past, present and future at the same time. He is the “eternal” God who desires to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who came into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the confidence of His Holy Spirit to know He is always in control even when we observe circumstances that may make us think otherwise.
Next time Daniel says, “the he goat waxed very great”, 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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