Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.
Wisdom to chew on
Understanding to grow in
This vision came after the previous one (8v1). In it, Daniel is in Susa, the center of the coming Persian kingdom. It confirms what we've seen so far. The ram with two long horns is Medo-Persia (8v20), the goat with a prominent horn that was then broken is Greece under Alexander who died suddenly (8v22). The description of the horn that comes from this and grows in power is astonishingly accurate with respect to Antiochus Epiphanes, who we mentioned yesterday. This horn is said to throw down and trample on some of the starry host, and set itself up against their prince (8v9-11). The later interpretation suggests the host are probably mighty kings or the people of God, and the prince, God himself who is prince of princes (8v12, 24-25, 12v3). The horn's standing against God is particularly seen in stopping the daily sacrifices at the temple, bringing the sanctuary low - ie. reducing its glory by ceasing its worship, and throwing down truth – ie. God’s law etc. 8v12-13 implies that this was as a punishment for the rebellion of the priesthood or people. Notably, “desolation” is also used to describe the earlier destruction of Jerusalem and the temple (9v2, 17-18). The sense is therefore that this will happen again, because the people have not reformed their ways. And it would have urged all subsequent generations to maintain faithfulness to the LORD. An angel says it will be 2,300 evenings and mornings until the temple is reconsecrated (8v13-14). This probably refers to the amount of morning and evening sacrifices missed under the ban. That's 1,150 days – just over three years, less than the total time of oppression noted in 7v25. Gabriel tells Daniel all this concerns the time of the end. In context, that must be not the end of all history, but of the time leading up to the establishment of God’s kingdom through Christ. The period in question is described as the time of wrath, referring to it as punishment on the Jews for becoming completely wicked in the latter reign of the four kingdoms stemming from Alexander (8v15-19, 12-13, 23). But the oppressive king will not be destroyed “by his own power” – reminding us that God’s hand is behind such events (8v24-25). As you read note how this would have encouraged the people.
Daniel 8
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.