Daniel: Far From HomeSample

Daniel is now ready to see the vision, to hear what is written in the Book of Truth. Verses 2 to 4 are describing the move of power from Persia as the dominant ruler, to Greece. It is a replay of what was explicitly told us back in chapter 8. There will be three further kings in Persia, then a mighty king will come. This is almost certainly fulfilled in Alexander the Great. But in verse 4 the kingdom will be uprooted and given to others. Daniel is being told what will happen. But it is worth noting the verb at the end of verse 4. Alexander’s empire will not be ‘taken’ by others but be ‘given’ to them. This is a repeated theme in the book of Daniel. Human rule is given by God.

Verses 5 to 20 tell what will happen after that. Daniel is told about a king of the south and a king of the north. Who are they? It is likely that they are kings north and south of the Beautiful Land. The place mentioned in verse 16 is almost certainly a title for Judah, God’s land. To the north lies Syria, and to the south lies Egypt. Daniel is being told of the battles that will come between the kings of Syria and Egypt, and the power struggles between the two. Here is a description of the periods after Alexander the Great right up to the time of Seleucus IV, king of Syria.

The conflict between these two kingdoms will impact Judah, who lies between the two. In verse 14, ‘violent men among your own people’ will rebel against the south but without success. The king of the north becomes stronger and Egypt becomes powerless (v. 15). The invader can do as he wishes, and the Beautiful Land is invaded (v. 16), as it was at the beginning of Daniel. Judah is destroyed. Antiochus III makes a marriage alliance with Egypt again in verse 17. He seems totally on the rampage in verse 18. However, even he will be destroyed (v. 19). He is succeeded by a king we know was Seleucid IV (v. 20).

We read these verses a long time after the events described here have happened. It means we can read secular history books and see how meticulously Daniel is being told about international events over the next three centuries. He is even told of the temporary alliances that are formed between nations through marriage (e.g. in v. 6 and v. 17). 

What this means for Daniel (and his first readers) is that when the return from exile happened, it would not be the time when all God’s promises would be fulfilled. God’s people would have to be patient. However, they are being told that God is totally in control; He knows the future! And further, there are still going to be difficult times ahead for them.

Reflection

How amazing is it that God not only knows the future big picture, but that He knows every detail of it. Even down to the marriage alliances among nations! We serve a very big and powerful God: one we can trust is in total control of His world.