The Beasts Within

Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18

There's an adage which goes:
There are two beasts who live inside you, one is good and one is evil. The good beast is responsible for all the life-sharing love around you, and feeds on that love. The evil, in same manner, lives on and breeds all that is evil. Only one of those beasts will live through you; the one you let live is the one you feed.

Daniel's vision tell's of four beasts who rise from the sea. These four beasts all represent one of the kingdoms in and around Israel, all of whom either did, was, or will be influential in some way in the lives of the Israelites.

Each of the beasts represents how Daniel characterizes these kingdoms as animals, albeit composites of animals. Winged lions represent strong courage with quick-rising power, the bear represents strict and unemotional cruelty. There are many places you can go to see what each animal represents, so I won't list them here, nor will I cause you to tear your hair out by reading a long commentary. All I want to say is that Daniel 7 is a retelling of Daniel 2 with the difference being that instead of talking about the politics of the 4 kingdoms, Daniel 7 talks about their moralities.

As we read through Daniel 7 and have the vision interpreted for us we see that the one beast who is fed the most does indeed become the one that lives in the end. I don't want to spoil the read for you, so I won't give away the ending here. Suffice it to say it might not be the animal you're expecting.

The focus for today is what beasts you have living within you. What are you feeding and how much are you feeding it? Unfortunately only you truly know if your words and actions are a true representation of what lives within you.

If you say you care about the poor, sick, and hungry and help out at your local shelter with all the great groups you belong to, only to bypass that elderly man hunched over on the sidewalk because he's dirty and stink when you're by yourself, well...

If you say you believe in equality for all and attend rallies that promote those beliefs, only to vote for government officials who make laws that go against those beliefs, well....

If you say you are a Christian and go to church every Sunday and join every church group that exists, only to never share your faith with those who disagree with you because you don't want to upset them, well...

The beast you let live is the one you feed the most, not the one you take for a walk around the neighborhood.