In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last”, and in chapter eight and verse four of his book Daniel said, “I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward” where we read,
I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.
The verse reads, “I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, …” Daniel began with the words, “I saw the ram pushing westward” or “I, Daniel, noticed, discerned and observed the ram animal engaging and thrusting in a western direction”, “and northward” which means “and a north bound direction”, “and southward” or “and a south bound direction”; “so that no beasts might stand” which means “for the purpose of not any living and active animals would remain, endure and continue” “before him” or “in front and in the presence of him, the ram”. Daniel shared how the “ram” was thrusting in a west, north and south bound direction for the purpose of no other living animal remaining in the presence of him.
The verse continues, “… neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.” Daniel added the words, “neither was there any” or “no and not in any way were there other animals” “that could deliver out of his hand” which means “who were able to rescue and save from his, the ram’s, hand of authority, might and power”; “but he did according to his will” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover he, the ram, performed in keeping with his, the ram’s, desire, passion and will”, “and became great” which means “and grew, was magnified and advanced”. Daniel shared how no one was able to save themselves from the power and might of the “ram” because the “ram” performed in keeping with his purpose, will and desire which magnified him.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel that the “ram” thrust itself in three different directions; to the west, north and south, and no one was able to stop him or rescue themselves from his power. This caused the “ram” to become magnified in the world. We shall see what this “ram” means in our future verses, but for now let us consider that God Almighty was at work in the world. Daniel was being shown empires that would arise, and they did. All of them lead to God’s Son Jesus Christ being born on the earth to become the “Savior” of the world, and when He died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, He became the Only One who is able to forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us so we will constantly be aware that He has all people and kingdoms completely under His control.
Next time Daniel says he saw, “an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth”, 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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