THEOSISGregory the Great
Verse 2. Authority and reverence are found in Him; Who establishes tranquility in His heavens Job 25:22 LITERAL INTERPRETATION. It is as if he meant to convey straightforwardly, "He alone profoundly instills awe in human hearts, for it is His divine power that truly holds all creation." What fear can emanate from a man's authority when its permanence is never assured? He rightly asserts that He forms the cosmos in His heights. While many things appear chaotic below, they unfold according to the divine order established above, and what seems tumultuous is often the result of inner-worldly influences. The Almighty, therefore, fosters the virtues of the righteous by allowing adversities to afflict them; the heavenly realm reflects complete harmony, while earthly existence appears disorderly.
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In the celestial domain, He unites His chosen ones with the angelic choirs through the very trials He permits from the deeds of the unrepentant who defy His commands.
However, it is worth pondering: if perfect peace is upheld ‘in the heights,’ why does the angel inform Daniel, "I would have come in response to your words, but the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days; yet Michael, one of the chief princes, came to my aid" Dan 10:12-13? Subsequently, he adds, "And now I must return to combat the prince of Persia. When I leave, the prince of Greece will come" Dan 10:20. Who other than the angels could be referred to as ‘princes’ of the nations, possessing the capacity to contest Him upon His departure? Accordingly, how can there be peace ‘in the heights’ if even among celestial beings there is strife and rivalry before the presence of Truth? The angels are assigned responsibilities for guiding specific nations, and when these nations seek aid from their designated spirits in opposition to one another, the very spirits given these duties are described as being in conflict.
Thus, the angel addressing Daniel was identifiable as guardian of the nation of Israel in Persia, while Michael was tasked with those remaining in Judah from the same nation. For this reason, the angel later tells Daniel, "And I have no one to assist me except Michael your prince" Dan 10:21, referring back to Michael, one of the leading princes who came to his aid. The language used, stating “came to help” instead of “was with,” indicates he speaks of people captive in different lands. Whom was the angel referring to when he stated, "I would have come to you, but the prince of the realm of Persia opposed me," if not to the actions of those under the prince’s authority? It is as if he were saying, “The cries of your prayers genuinely plead for the liberation of Israel from captivity, yet the people must first endure purification under Persian rule; thus, those under the authority of the prince of Persia inevitably resist their freedom, even as your prayers are bolstered by those from Judah.”
Therefore, he connects this with his earlier statement: "But behold, Michael, your prince, has come to assist me." When he prepares to combat the prince of Persia, he indicates that the prince of Greece also intervenes. This points to a potential transgression by Judea before the Greeks. The angel genuinely acknowledges the prophet's prayers, yet the prince of Persia hinders him. Though the life of the righteous intercessor advocates for the people's salvation, the condition of that people remains so that those in captivity are not entirely cleansed. Consequently, Persia is justly allowed to maintain its dominion. Michael's assistance comes, but the prince of Greece interjects, suggesting that the prolonged captivity endured by those in distress may merit mercy; yet, the factors opposing their release stem from their transgressions against the Greeks. Hence, he correctly states that angels are at odds, meaning the petitions of the nations they oversee can sometimes be in conflict.
For the exalted spirits, the princes of the nations, never advocate for the unjust but impartially adjudicate their actions. When either the guilt or virtue of a nation emerges in the divine courtroom, it is said that the governing spirit of that nation either prevails or faces defeat; however, the ultimate victory belongs solely to the Supreme Will of the Creator, which remains perpetually before them. Thus, it is aptly stated: who establishes tranquility in His heavens. And it continues further: