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Mixing Iron and Clay

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Nov 26, 1914

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 50.

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Mixing Iron and Clay

By F. M. W.

In the second chapter of the book of Daniel we have the record of a notable dream which was given to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. He saw a great image. “This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, his legs of iron, and his feet part of iron and part of clay.” The prophet Daniel, in interpreting this dream, clearly stated that the kingdom of Babylon was represented by the head of gold, and that the kingdom which would succeed Babylon was represented by silver. This was Medo-Persia. The kingdom which, in turn, would overthrow Medo-Persia—namely, Grecia—was represented by brass; the kingdom which absorbed the remnants of Alexander’s kingdom was represented by the legs of iron. This fourth kingdom, Rome, although “strong as iron,” should be divided, as represented by the mixture of iron and clay in the feet of the image.
Efforts would be made, the prophet indicated, to unite these divisions. Particularly would this effort be made through marriage and intermarriage. “They shall mingle themselves with the seed of men.” But all these efforts would prove unavailing. It would be as impossible to cement these kingdoms together as it would be to form a union between iron and clay. “They shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.”
This prophecy has been literally fulfilled. Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia, and Rome have come and gone. We are living in the days of the divided state of the Roman Empire. It is interesting to note the industrious attempts which have been made to bring about a union of the divisions of this fourth kingdom. Warriors have tried to do it by the power of the sword. Its realization seemed almost reached in the days of Charlemagne, and later through Napoleon, but the prophet of the Lord saw that all such efforts would prove futile.
It has been fondly hoped that inter marriage between the reigning houses of European states would bring about a closer affiliation of national interests. The extent to which the present reigning houses of Europe are related is shown in an editorial appearing in the Boston daily Globe of October 17. The editor declares that when Queen Victoria of England died some years ago, she was mourned “as mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother by children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in half of the capitals of Europe.” We quote further, as follows:—
Her eldest daughter married Frederick, the father of the present German emperor, William II.
Her second daughter married the Grand Duke of Hesse, and to them was born Alice (Alix), who became the wife of the present czar, Nicholas II of Russia.
Her third daughter married Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, and the fourth the Duke of Argyll.
Her fifth daughter married Prince Henry of Battenberg, and from that union came a little girl who grew up to be united in wedlock with Alfonso XIII, king of Spain.
Queen Victoria’s eldest son, afterward crowned as King Edward VII, married Alexandra of Denmark, whose sister is the mother of the present ruler of Russia.
Her second son married the only daughter of Czar Alexander II, grand-aunt of Nicholas II, and their offspring became the wife of Ferdinand, king of Roumania.
Her third son married the daughter of Prince Frederick Charles of Prussia, uncle of the present kaiser, and the fourth married Princess Helena of Waldeck and Pyrmont.
It is interesting to contemplate the nationality of some of the rulers of Europe who are now engaged in the great war. As stated by the Globe, the present British queen is the daughter of a German duke; the kaiser is half English and half German; Albert of Belgium is German; the czar is mostly German, with none of the Slav in his make-up. The blood relationships existing between some of these rulers is given as follows:—
King George and Kaiser William are first cousins, the former’s father and the latter’s mother having been brother and sister.
King George and Czar Nicholas are first cousins, their mothers being sisters.
King George and the czarina are first cousins, his father and her mother having been brother and sister.
Kaiser William and the czarina are first cousins, their mothers being sisters.
Kaiser and czar are first cousins by marriage.
But notwithstanding these close blood relationships which have been created, there has not resulted any bond of lasting unity. Says the prophet: “They shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.” The failure of all these man-made efforts to bring about a united empire proves the correctness of God’s foreknowledge. It shows that the Spirit which prompted the prophetic utterance could foretell with unerring accuracy the course of empire.
The prophecy concludes: “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed.” For long years we have been living in the divided state of the Roman Empire. So far as the prophecy of Daniel 2 is concerned, the only event lacking of fulfillment is the setting up of the everlasting kingdom of God, represented by the stone which was cut out without hands and smote the image upon its feet, grinding it to powder. This sequel is about to be consummated. The kingdoms of this earth will soon become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ. Where the power of sin has reigned, where hatred and strife have borne sway, there the kingdom of peace will be established. Let us lift up our heads and rejoice, for our redemption draweth nigh. F. M. W.