Read Daniel 8:1-14
A couple years later, Daniel has another vision. This one is all about a ram and a goat and lots of horns. Daniel also gives us a location for where he witnesses these animal skirmishes. Daniel reports, “In this vision I was at the fortress of Susa, in the province of Elam, standing beside the Ulai River.”
The city of Susa is not unfamiliar to us. You may recall it’s where Esther became the new Queen of Persia. It’s where Nehemiah served as cupbearer to the king before receiving permission to return to the land of Judah to rebuild the city of Jerusalem.
The province of Elam has been mentioned in the Old and New Testaments. Susa was the capital city. The last reference, in the book of Acts, tells us that there were Jews living there who had traveled to Jerusalem for Pentecost. They would have witnessed the Holy Spirit in action with the disciples.
We’ll find out in our next reading if the location is key. But what I notice is that this powerful ram “butted everything out of his way to the west, to the north, and to the south.” Does that mean he was standing on the west side of the river?
Wherever the ram was standing, he was a bully. He didn’t seem to care about those people around him. We’ve probably all known people like that. They are hard to be around, and we often fear them. It must be a lonely existence. Yet the vision says the bully ram became very great.
Until one day, the bully ram was dethroned by a bigger bully, the goat. This animal allegory is really quite something. As I understand it, male goats, in particular, can be very territorial and mean. This vision would make sense on that level at least. The goat out-bullies the ram and defeats him.
All this talk about overpowering and bullying sounds dreadful. We certainly don’t want to be on the receiving end of whatever the ram and goat are dishing out. Certainly there was no respect for God among these beasts.
The text says the goat “even challenged the Commander of heaven’s army by canceling the daily sacrifices offered to him and by destroying his Temple.” If that’s to mean interference with God’s people and their worship of the one true God, than the goat is very dangerous, and we should beware.
There are battles being fought in this vision. Battles between good and evil. Evil appears to have been winning, but then one of the “holy ones” gives us this hope. These attacks against God will continue for just a while. “It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the Temple will be made right again.” In real time, if that’s 2,300 twenty-four-hour periods, then that’s roughly 6.3 years.
We can be confident our own suffering will last for only a time, too. Meditate on the words of 1 Peter 5:10: “In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.” What a promise!
Let’s pray. Lord, thank you for how you speak to my heart. Forgive me for days when it takes me longer to shut out the noise. I know there are bullies in this world and people who take delight in distracting me from you. I know the world is a dangerous place. I’m so thankful to have you in my life, helping me see the good from the bad. I know I’m not always popular, but that’s okay. I’m here to please you, not the world. Keep me safe from the bullies, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
