The Pulpit Commentary — Daniel — Section 124

1. A grand tinity loomed before Nebuchadnezzar. "Behold an imago, one and grand" (Cbaldee, ver. 31). Four empires represented, not by four figures, but one. Symbol of human power at its highest, that of universal empire, but separate from God. Same spirit 1md genius in all four. A common thing to represent empire by the human figure; e.g. Britnnni&. The oolossal imagery of the dream the reflection of the magnificent scale of objects in Babylon. But: 2. .A diversity. (1) Inform; for after the head, the human form is double, in the toes tenfold. (2) In substance: gold, silver, etc.; the diversity constitutes a successive deterioration. 3. DestrtJ,Ction. For a time the imnge stands. At length there rushes through the air, self-detached, a i;t-One, as instinct with life; it smites, destroys, pulverizes, and instantly the imaue is gone-nothing_ is left on the wide_ Assy-i:ian plain but the stone, which then gro;s to be a mountain, a whole mountam region, filling the field of view, grand, beau- tiful, with it.s varied vegetation, from that of a tropical clime to the eternal snow. So complete was the displacement. I. 'l'HE WHOLE. Observe respecting the ancient world-power: 1. Its unity. One image. One universal empire. One in alienation from God. This need not have been. Civil government is of God, may be a reflection of Divine government, rooted in Divine principles, administered in the fear of God, directed to the good of humanity, and so to the glory of God. 'l'he government of this world may be one in alliance with God. 2. Iu ma}esty. Empire like this has a majesty of its own, even though alienated from God. Just as intellect or genius may. Man was made in the image of God, in this matter of dominion over men and also over nature. Of all forms of dominion, rule over a nation (much mere of nations) is of God. (1) The idea of civil government is of God. Government must be. It is of the Divine will. Not some particular form, e.g. monarchical, republican, et.c.; but government in essence. (2) So iu; realization. Government of some kind is an everlasting fact, perpetuated in the providence of God. Empire has then intrinsic majesty. Much more when in alliance with God. 3. Its weakness. All things human deteriorate, unless redeemed from cor1"1iptwn by the savi11g power of religion. The life of all that lasts is of God. It would be interesting to trace, if that were possible, the gradual deterioration of heathen religiousness, from the purer Cbaldee form to the Roman degradation. As life declined, so the strength of empire went down. II. Tm: P.iltTS. 1. The head of gold: Babylon. (1) The empire itself. (a) First in order of time (firi;t universal empire). (b) Possessed certain unity (head). (c) Characterized by intelligence. (d) Magnificent (gold). (For illustration, see Rawlin- sou's 'Manual of .Ancient History,' p. 35.) (2) Its relation to the kingdom of God. Note the pressure of the all-directing band on these heathen world-kingdoms. Babylon: (a) Curea, by the Captivity, Israel of idolatry. (b) Prepared the world for unity under the Boman empire, and so prepared for the Advent. 2. The breast and arms of silver: Medo-Persia. (1) The empire. Silver less value and power of resistance than gold. So Persia inferior to Babylon. Not in extent; but greatness is never to be confounded with bigness. (For vivid picture of real state of Persia, see Eber's 'Egyptian Princess.') (2) Relation to Divine ki11gdom. The Church returned healed from the Captivity, Secoud temple built. Persia an instrument for raising the dormant energies of Greece, which became, under .Alexander, the universal empire, aud spread Greek culture, civilization, e.nd bpeecb everywhere, and so prepared the way for the coming of the Lord. 3. The belly and thighs of brass: Greece. (1) The empire. None other than Greece; for: (a) Greece succeeded Persia, and, like it, was a universal monarchy. (b) Is named in the same order (eh. viii. 20, 21). (c) Brafs armour marked the Greeks; their soldiers were the "brazen-coated." (2) Rtlation to the Divine lcingdom. The service of Grrnce to Christ's kingdom was vast. Let the following brief Hentences and pLra.%s be suggestive: .Alexander no vulgar conq neror; a fusion of East and West his c,Lject; hence, colonization, intermarriages of rac1's, founclation of seventy cities; the idea, one brotherhood of humanity. Oriental thongbt blended with Hellenic culture. As a part of this plan, first dispersion of the Jews; and so everywhere a synagogue, the Septua.gint, an<l Hebrew (i.e. true) ideas of God, sin, the Saviour. Influence of the .Alt:iurnd1ian school on early Christianity. 4. The l«gs of iron: Rome. (1) Tlie empire. '1'bis was indeed P.ome, and not the empire of Alexander's successors; for: (a) To omit lh,me frustrates the desiim of the iw.age w exhihit ill succl)ssioµ the great empirc11 (111. n. 1-19.] 'l'HE BOOK OF bANrnL.