Scripture to Read: Daniel 8:1–8
Persia conquered the Babylonians, but Persia was also conquered, as we read in Daniel 8:5–8. God allowed Daniel to see the ram (the Medo-Persian Empire) conquer Babylon, but he also saw Greece (the one-horned goat) conquer the Medo-Persian Empire a few centuries later. Daniel 8:5 says, “While I was observing, behold, a male goat was coming from the west over the surface of the whole earth without touching the ground; and the goat had a conspicuous horn between his eyes.” The goat represented Greece. The one horn on the goat represented their first leader, Alexander the Great. Daniel 8:6–7 says, “He came up to the ram that had the two horns, which I had seen standing in front of the canal, and rushed at him in his mighty wrath. 7 I saw him come beside the ram, and he was enraged at him; and he struck the ram and shattered his two horns, and the ram had no strength to withstand him. So he hurled him to the ground and trampled on him, and there was none to rescue the ram from his power.” Daniel saw the ram (the Medo-Persian Empire) which had conquered Babylon being defeated swiftly by the goat (the Greek Empire). But God shows us in Daniel 8:8, “Then the male goat magnified himself exceedingly.” Alexander the Great was prideful. We know that with pride comes destruction, and God does not share His glory with anyone. Alexander the Great was just as arrogant as his Medo-Persian and Babylonian predecessors, and each empire fell—God’s reminder that nothing in this world lasts.
Challenge & Application
• We know pride and arrogance should never be a part of our lives, but how do we guard against that kind of attitude?
• How have you seen the destructive results of pride and arrogance in yourself or in others?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!