The Second Empire: Chest and Arms of Silver
2: 39a
The second empire, chest and arms of silver DIG: Why was Dani’el’s phrase, “after you” so important? Did king Nebuchadnezzar take the prophet’s message to heart? What did the statue’s chest and arms of silver represent? In what way was the Medo-Persian Empire inferior to the Babylonian Empire?
REFLECT: How much thought have you put into the “after you” question in your own life? “After you,” what kind of financial situation are you going to leave to your loved ones? “After you,” how will you be remembered by your spouse, children, grandchildren, and friends? How much do you look forward to the Messianic Kingdom? Who can you tell?
ADONAI begins to reveal to Dani’el the initial revelation regarding the Times of the Gentiles (see Ao – The Times of the Gentiles). He provides an initial overview of the four empires that will govern this period. As the book progresses, God’s revelation becomes increasingly specific, reaching their climax in Chapter 12.
While Dani’el devoted two verses to describing Nebuchadnezzar’s empire, he only devoted half a verse to the next empire. But after you, another empire will arise (2:39a). Probably the most telling blow comes with the words, “after you,” where Dani’el delivers what seems to be an almost passing jolt to human pride. Now that’s a striking thought! One wonders if it stuck in Nebuchadnezzar’s mind. Such a simple yet powerful assumption in those words, “After you.” Nebuchadnezzar’s Empire would not last. Kings and kingdoms, presidents and dictators, democracies and tyrannies and monarchies come and go and enter the landfill of history. Only Messiah’s Kingdom will endure forever (2:44).
How then are the various “audiences” of Dani’el Chapter 2 meant to respond to this dream and its interpretation? What about Nebuchadnezzar himself? Surely he was to acknowledge that his kingship was a gift from the God of heaven, that his own empire was but a passing episode, and that he simply belonged to the chaff on a threshing-floor in the summer (2:35). However, Nebuchadnezzar still didn’t get it. He didn’t ask any questions about the future or about Dani’el’s great God. Relieved that he was the head of gold (to see link click Ay – The First Empire: A Head of Gold), and that his fears of a crumbling empire were relieved, he only concerned himself with the present, and Dani’el who had met his need. The king confessed that Dani’el’s God was a Revealer of mysteries (2:47), but at this point such revelation did not spur him on to ask what those mysteries might be.
What of Isra’el? What were the exiles and those who would become exiles to understand from this revelation? They should at least see that the Kingdom of God (see Bg – The Fifth Empire: The Messianic Kingdom) was not going to come as soon as Babylon passed off the political scene. How often God’s people have to be saved from the “if only” heresy, whether it’s “if Babylon bites the dust, then . . .” or something else. Dani’el was not trying to rob Isra’el of her hope, but wanted her to have a true and realistic hope that also recognized that it will be a long historical road before the Messianic Kingdom comes. Then, what should they do in the meantime? It is not coincidental that Chapter 2 ends with Dani’el and his three friends promoted to responsible positions within Babylonian society (see Bi – Nebuchadnezzar Promotes Dani’el). They didn’t isolate themselves from the Empire of their world as they waited for God to establish His Kingdom in the next; rather, they poured themselves into seeking the welfare of their temporary home in Babylon.79
The Medo-Persian Empire was second. Thus, Nebuchadnezzar was the head made of pure gold (2:32 and 38). When viewed from head to foot, the various metals decreased in value, but increased in strength. For the decrease in value, three points can be made. First, the value of the materials decreased from the head downward. Silver is less valuable than gold, bronze is less valuable than silver; iron is less valuable than bronze; and clay is less valuable than iron. Second there is a decrease in position moving from the head to the feet, with the head being the most important element of the statue. Third, there is a decrease in the specific gravity of the elements. Pure gold has a specific gravity of 19.32; silver has a specific gravity 10.5; bronze has a specific gravity of between 8.7 and 8.4; and iron has a specific gravity 7.7. This shows that the statue was top-heavy and weak at its feet.
Dani’el specifically stated that another empire would arise, not just a king. Not only was Nebuchadnezzar replaced as king, but his empire was also replaced with another empire. The statue’s chest and arms of silver represented the Second Gentile Empire, which was the Medo-Persian Empire (Dani’el 2:32b). As we go down the statue, there is a decrease in the value of the metals, gold being the most valuable, silver, being less valuable than gold, bronze, being less valuable than silver, and iron being the least valuable. Thus, the Medo-Persian Empire lacked the inner unity of the Babylon Empire and never blended into one people. But there was an increase in the hardness and strength of the metals. Silver is stronger than gold, and so on. This increase in hardness was reflected in the increased strength of each empire. Thus, the Medo-Persians were militarily stronger than the Babylonians, and the second of Four Gentile Empires to dominate Jerusalem.
Then Dani’el pointed out that this new empire would be inferior to the Babylonian Empire (2:39a). Critics have used the word “inferior” to sow doubt about the accuracy of the book of Dani’el. After all, the Medo-Persian Empire covered greater geographical territory and lasted over 200 years (539-331 BC), longer than the Babylon Empire of 87 years (626-539 BC). However, the term “inferior” relates to quality, not inferiority in every respect. The historical truth is that Babylon had greater global influence and accomplishments. In fact, the roots of that empire go back to the time right after the Flood. As early as Genesis 10 and 11, Babylon had already begun playing a major role in human history (see the commentary on Genesis Dl – The Tower of Babel). The history of the Medes and the Persians was not as old. Furthermore, the Medo-Persians lacked the ingenuity of Babylon. Represented by the silver chest and arms of the statue, the Medes and the Persians were united politically and militarily, but they never bonded into one people. They lacked the insight of the Babylonian Empire. Lastly, the Medo-Persian Empire lacked the central authority and fire organization that had characterized Babylon. As Dani’el Chapter 6 will point out, Medo-Persian rulers did not have
absolute power, but were held captive by their own decrees.80
In summary, the Medo-Persian Empire was inferior to the Babylonian Empire in influence and achievement. The roots of the Babylonian Empire began soon after The Flood (Genesis 10-11); but the Medo-Persian Empire does not go that far back. They lacked the inner unity of Babylon. Although the Medes and the Persians were united politically, they never blended into one people. They were an inferior type of government. God gives each Gentile Empire a certain amount of time, and then He terminates their kingdom and gives it to another. So as the Medo-Persian Empire faded away, YHVH raised up the Greek Empire.
Dear heavenly Father, praise You for Your great wisdom in the way You rule your Kingdom. In Your Kingdom, You are the absolute Supreme Ruler and You rule with incredible love and wisdom. Your purpose is for believers to be united with You. You lavished the riches of Your grace on us for that purpose. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth (Ephesians 1:7-10). Thank you for not ruling like the Medes and Persian kingdom. For You rule with steadfast love and complete wisdom. What a loving and wise Sovereign King and Heavenly Father You are! In Messiah Yeshua’s holy Name and power of His resurrection. Amen
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