Dan. 2:29
Meditating upon what may be coming affords little satisfaction, for the human mind has no power to foresee the course of futurity. An intense curiosity has, however, always impelled men to attempt to pierce the veil which hangs between to-day and to-morrow, and to meet this inquisitiveness, there has arisen a swarm of claimants to foreknowledge.
Nebuchadnezzar, among his courtiers, had Magicians, Astrologers and Sorcerers, all of whom alleged they were able to reveal the future. On a certain occasion, detailed in the 2nd chapter of Daniel, these competent men signally failed, under an acid test, to rise to the opportunity of establishing their claims, and thus securing what was their main objective, “Gifts, Rewards, and Great Honour” (Dan. 2, 6). The latter was bestowed instead upon the Jewish youth, Daniel, who satisfied Nebuchadnezzar’s curiosity but, in doing so, claimed no personal credit for the prescience displayed, attributing this to the God of heaven (Dan. 2. 28).
The story in the second chapter of Daniel illustrates the striking difference between Hebrew predictions and those of other nations, some of which it may be of interest to review.
Egyptian Diviners And Greek Oracles
Herodotus (c. 450 B.C.) informs us that oracles abounded in Egypt and that the art of divination came from Egynt into Greece. The Grecians readily assimilated this profitable art and brought it to perfection in their oracle at Delphi. There, astute priests,demanding large fees or “offerings” for their services, established an “Intelligence Bureau,” which became so renowned that wealthy patrons, and even potentates, from near and far, sought information whether their wishes were to be fulfilled or no.
This became the most famed and wealthy oracle in the world ; it greatly influenced the politics of Greece, and the neighbouring states. The information sought had to be committed to writing. The response of the god was obtained by placing a prophetess (or medium) on a tripod, tradition says over an opening in the floor of the Temple, through which opening smoke or noxious vapours ascended, intoxicating or causing delirium to the unhappy prophetess, whose hysterical babblings were carefully taken down and “interpreted” by the officiating priests. This renowned shrine had a run of about 1000 years. Its success for such a long period arose doubtless largely from the extremely shrewd and careful nature of the responses given by the capable men who worked the oracle. In many cases their “fore sight” received verification from later corresponding events, but at times they made serious mistakes. A typical instance of their replies is given by Herodotus, when the Lydian king Croesus was assured that “If he went to war with the Persians he would destroy a Great Empire.” As Croesus had previously bestowed gifts of the greatest value on the shrine, he began the war with confidence, but lost therein his country and his life. The oracle explained that the name of the Empire to be destroyed had not been given.
It was the custom among the Greeks to consult their oracles before entering upon any important military enterprise. Xenophon records that Cyrus the Younger, who organised the ill-starred expedition from Asia Minor against Persia (401 B.C.) took with him a celebrated soothsayer, Silanus. This man successfully predicted that the Persians would not put their opposing army into motion against the Greeks within a certain number of days. He received a handsome present from Cyrus for the accurate forecast ; but Silanus failed to foresee that Cyrus would lose his life shortly afterwards, and that the defeated 10,000 surviving Greeks would have to fight their way homewards, ignominiously discomfited.
Roman Augurs
The Romans also were devoted to probing into the secrets of the future.
In the “Eternal City” there were colleges of prophets (Augurs) who, for the inevitable fee, undertook to disclose the future.The great ones of the earth, merchants, soldiers, lovers and professional thieves, anxiously enquired and paid for information concerning their varied projects. Lucian tells of a prophet who was approached by the Emperor Marcus Aurelius for guidance in his campaign against the Germans. He was told to throw two lions into the Danube and “There would be victory.” The lions were flung in and swam to the far shore, and there was victory—for the Germans. The Roman Augurs divined favourable or unfavourable auspices by observing the flight of birds, from thunder and lightning, from the feeding of chickens and even from such trifling occurrences as spilling salt. Roman life was swayed by these amazing superstitions. No marriage among the patricians was arranged and no war was determined upon until Augurs had been consulted. Enlightened Emperors shivered in their beds because a hen had not pecked its morning corn “auspiciously,” and a skillful general’s war plans were likely to be frustrated if the prognosticators were not satisfied with the omens in the entrails of a sacrificed animal. History fully attests that the attention of all the ancient Gentile peoples was fearfully focused on the dreaded future.
Hebrew Prophecy
Among the Hebrews there obtained a different mental attitude. Whilst divination was not discouraged in other nations, and in some cases was even under state control and support, the arts of sorcery, necromancy and divination of all kinds were sternly repressed under the Mosaic laws : —
“There shall not be found among you anyone that useth divination, or an enchanter or a charmer or a consulter with familiar spirits or a wizard or a necromancer. For all these things are abomination unto the Lord.” (Deut. 18.10-11)
The effect upon the Hebrew mind of such a comprehensive prohibition, and the freedom enjoyed by that people from the superstition prevailing around them, is well illustrated in a story told by Josephus, as follows :-
Mosollum, a Jew, the most skillful archer in the army of Alexander the Great, was passing along the road with a large body of men, when a certain augur, who was observing an augury by a bird, required them all to stand still.
Mosollum inquired what they stayed for. Whereupon the augur showed him the bird from whence he took his augury, and told him that if the bird stayed where he was, they ought to stand still ; but that if he got up and flew onward, the troops must go forward ; but if he flew backward, they must retire again. Mosollum made no reply, but drew his bow, shot at the bird and killed him. The augur and some others were angry and wished imprecations upon him, but Mosollum answered them thus : —
“Why are you so mad about this bird? How can this bird give us any true information concerning our march when he cannot foresee how to save himself? For had he been able to foreknow what was future he would not have come to this place lest Mosoilum the Jew should kill him.”
Whilst the Hebrews were forbidden to meddle with divination for the purpose of prying into the future, we have the arresting fact that their scriptures contain more information on the subject of futurity than is found elsewhere.
These scriptures give us a prophetic panorama portraying the rise and fall of Empires and the coming of a universal dominion with a benevolent central authority. So perplexed are men with the present outlook that they are recognising it is now a matter beyond dispute we must have “World Order or Downfall.”
The Hebrew prophets anticipated this very situation.Also they have concentrated the light of their inspiration upon One who is to be leader and a commander to the people (Is. 55, 4) who is to give light to the Gentiles (Is. 60, 3) and who will “order” and establish judgment and justice and peace throughout the earth (Is. 9, 7).
This testimony of Jesus of Nazareth is the very spirit of Hebrew prophecy.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One