Monday, January 09 2012
Daniel 11
Verse of the Day: V32 “And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”
1. The Mighty King (V1-7)
V3 “And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.”
The mighty king was none other than Alexander the Great, the king of Grecian Empire. He not only defeated the great Persian Empire but almost conquered the entire world if not for his sudden death due to ill health. He never knew God, and was determined to do his own will or the devil’s will in destroying the Jews, God’s chosen people. However, he failed because God protected His chosen people.
2. The Vile Person (V21-29)
V21 “And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.”
The vile person was none other than Antiochus Epiphanes. He became the king of Syria because of his flatteries. He never knew God and was against the holy covenant or the Jews. However, he failed to destroy them because God protected His chosen people.
V28 “Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.”
3. The Godly People (V30-45)
V30 “For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.”
However, king Antiochus Epiphanes did not reign for long, as subsequently the ships of Chittim or the naval power of the Roman Empire defeated them. Indeed, no empire or kingdom except God’s kingdom shall last forever, and no matter how the devil used the mighty king or the vile person to destroy the nation of Israel, God shall always protect His chosen nation. Though many Jews refused to know God, there was still a remnant who knew God and continued to live godly lives. Today God’s people are both the Jews and the Gentiles who know the Lord Jesus Christ. These godly people shall always remain strong because they are God’s chosen people.
V32 “And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am strong because I know You.
