The title
of the story, the bronze bow itself, is arguably the most important symbol in the book. It
represents strength and safety, the kind that can only be given to us by Jesus Christ himself.
The words that Joel recites to Daniel are particularly pertinent in this regard:
God is my strong refuge, And has made my way safe. He made my feet
like hinds feet, And set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, So that my arms
can bend a bow of bronze.
In other words, faith in Jesus
gives us the strength to do what was previously thought to be impossible. Bending a bronze bow
requires extraordinary physical strength, just as putting aside prejudice and hatred to follow
Christ requires great moral courage. Yet that is precisely what Daniel does. When we first meet
him, he's eaten up with hatred for the Roman occupiers. As time goes on, however, he comes to
understand the importance of Jesus' injunction to love one's enemies.
Once
upon a time, it would've been unthinkable for Daniel to have comprehended such a notion, let
alone to have acted upon it. But the teachings of Jesus have made such a powerful impression on
the young man that he's rejected his former violent ways to embrace the ethic of peace and love
that will form the basis of a whole new way of life for him. Thanks to Jesus, the impossible has
become possible; Daniel has bent the bronze bow.
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