Deeper Reflection
We need to observe the contrasts between the ram and the male goat in Daniel’s vision to capture a theological irony about great human power in history.Earlier on, the ram was “butting westward” and nations in the west were toppled, along with those in the north and south (v.4). But now, “a male goat was coming from the west” (v.5) and “struck the ram and shattered” him (v.7). For the ram, there was a time when “no other beasts could stand before him” (v.4). But now, “the ram has no strength to withstand” the male goat (v.7). For the ram, once, there was not “anyone to rescue from his power” (v.4). But now, the male goat “hurled” the ram “to the ground and trampled on him” and “there was none to rescue the ram from his power” (v.7). The ram “magnified himself ” (v.4), but the male goat “magnified himself exceedingly” (v.8).The history of the rise and fall of human empires points to one constant reality. Every strong empire is also weak. It is weak because it will fall to another stronger empire. And this new stronger empire is also weak, because it will be overthrown by an empire stronger than it. Like the male goat, “as soon as he was mighty”, his “large” power was “broken” (v.8). And this pattern in history keeps repeating itself. Why? Because “the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone He wishes” and “His dominion is an eternal dominion” (Dan 4:32, 34, NIV).