Iron, Clay, and the Messianic Stone That Shatters the Wicked Kingdom

Another interpretation: Why was it likened to iron and to clay? Rather, just as iron is hard, so too is this wicked kingdom hard. And to clay — why? Because the Holy One, blessed be He, is destined to break it like clay, as it is said, "And He shall break it as the breaking of a potter's vessel" (Isaiah 30:14). And he saw the King Messiah, as it is said, "You were watching until a stone was cut out" (Daniel 2:34). Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish (Resh Lakish) said: This is the King Messiah. "And it struck the image upon its feet" (ibid.) — meaning all the kingdoms that are set within the image. And by what merit was the King Messiah likened to a stone? By the merit of Jacob, as it is said, "From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel" (Genesis 49:24). "That a stone was cut out of the mountain" (Daniel 2:45) — for he destroys the whole world, as it is said, "And he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth" (Isaiah 11:4). At that hour Israel will dwell in quiet and in security, as it is said, "And they shall dwell upon it in security" (Ezekiel 28:26).