Then a mighty king will arise, who will rule with great power and do as he pleases. – Daniel 11:3

 

Today's Scripture Reading (August 13, 2020): Daniel 11

Aristotle argued that "We make war that we may live in peace." It was a teaching that one of his students appears to have taken to heart. The name of his student was Alexander the Great. The Macedonian prince took over his Father's Kingdom after Dad's surprise assassination by one of his bodyguards. The reason for Philip II's assassination is unclear. Still, the result of the King's untimely death was that the young Alexander emerged as the leader of a strong kingdom and possessed an experienced army. And Alexander seemed to innately know how to make use of both.

Alexander ruled over his Kingdom for about twelve years. Most of that time, he spent as a general on the battlefield with his army. By the time he was thirty, he had amassed one of the largest empires of the ancient world, which included defeating the Persians who had taken over their part of the world from the Babylonians. Alexander had established himself as a mighty king who ruled with great power, and incidentally, who was fascinated with Nebuchadnezzar and historical Babylon. Alexander could do whatever it was that he wanted to do. No one seemed to be able to stop him.

And there is no doubt that the mighty King, who would arise with great power, the King that Daniel saw in his vision, was Alexander the Great. Daniel prophesied about this great and powerful King just over two hundred years before the death of the Philip II and the rise of one of the most powerful military men that this world has ever known.

Unfortunately, Alexander died suddenly. We are not sure why, but it seems that poison might have been involved. The historian, Plutarch, says that on or about May 27, 323 B.C.E. Alexander spent the night drinking with his friend Medius of Larissa. Following his night with his friend, Alexander developed a fever, which weakened him until he was unable to speak. At one point, his soldiers, who loved their general, became so worried about Alexander that they were permitted to parade past him while Alexander silently waved to acknowledge their presence. Alexander never recovered, dying on June 10 or 11, 323 B.C.E.  At the time of his death, he was only thirty-two. And one of the many tragedies of Alexander's death is that if Aristotle was right, then he died at the beginning of the peace that had been won by his military victories. But then again, Alexander might have never been satisfied living in an era of peace.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Daniel 12