Here’s part of the story of Alexander the Great you’re probably never heard.IT’S WORTH CONSIDERING
The Book of Daniel is the most remarkable prophetic book ever written. One of the historical figures whose life and conquests are foretold is Alexander the Great, the young Macedonian who conquered the known world in just twelve years (334 BC to 322 BC). He died at age 32 with no more worlds to conquer. Much has been written about him, but some of the most significant events in his life never made it from the historical records to the world’s history textbooks.
One such account (from the historian Josephus) is the story of what happened when he came into Jerusalem to conquer it. As Alexander approached Jerusalem, his soldiers expected to plunder the city, and torment the high priest to death. The very reverse
happened. Alexander saw the Jewish multitude coming to greet him in white garments at a distance, while the priests stood clothed with fine linen. Alexander saw the high priest in purple and scarlet clothing, with his mitre on his head having the golden plate on which the name of God was engraved. Alexander approached by himself, appearing to be adoring the high priest, whom he saluted. Alexander was asked why he should adore the high priest of the Jews. He replied, “I did not adore him, but the God who honored him with that high priesthood; I saw this very person in a dream, in this very attire, when I was at Dios, in Macedonia.
Upon seeing the High Priest he relates his vision. Alexander was contemplating his
strategy for attacking Asia. The high priest told him to act boldly and quickly, and cross the sea. God would guide his army, and would give him the dominion over the Persians. Alexander said, “In that I have seen no one else in that attire, and now seeing this person in it, remembering the vision and the exhortation in my dream, I believe that if I put this army under the divine conduct, I shall therewith conquer Darius and destroy the power of the Persians.”
Alexander went up into the temple and offered a sacrifice to God according to the high priest’s direction. He magnificently treated both the high priest and the priests.The scroll of Daniel is brought to him and he is shown the prediction (in what we call chapter 8) that one of the Greeks would destroy the empire of the Persians. He realized it was him and was greatly pleased.
Alexander granted the Jewish people many privileges including keeping the laws of their forefathers and not paying tribute on the seventh year. (He permitted the Jews in Babylon and Media to keep their laws also.) Many Jews accompanied him in his wars while keeping their laws.
AS I SEE IT
In 12 short years, Alexander conquered the known world of his day with an army of
35,000 men. The Persians, whom he conquered, had millions. His small army captured the territory from the Mediterranean to India. Yet, he chose to show favor to the Jews. Consequently, during his reign, Greece never ruled over Israel (unlike the other great empires at the height of their power). What was the key to his success? Perhaps the answer is in Genesis 12:3:
And I will bless those who bless you and the one who curses you I will curse.
Once again, history proves God’s word to be absolutely true.
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