Daniel 11:21-28 - He will act deceitfully

11:21-24

A new ruler would now arise, one who was more evil than the previous ones (who were no paragons of virtue!). He is described as being “a contemptible person”. He was not honoured with any royal title and ruled by intrigue, This person is generally taken to be Antiochus Epiphanes (175-163 BC). Previously Israel and Judah had been conquered and sent into exile as an act of God’s judgement upon them for their persistent disobedience. Now they would be suffering persecution. Maybe we can see a parallel here with the Christian life. We are saved when we repent and believe. We need to acknowledge our sins and our sinfulness, and may have suffered much because of our sins. When we are saved there is much restoration, but life does not become easy, and we may suffer persecution.

The contemptible ruler made agreements with religious leaders. He flattered the people, making promises to them. This is a pattern that has oft been repeated in history. This leader will have absolutely no regard for the agreements he has made, abandoning them whenever it seemed convenient to do so. All this would seem to succeed, but only for a time. Again, we can see this pattern in politics time after time.

11:25-28

Egypt will wage war against Epiphanes, but the various intrigues of Epiphanes will have undermined Egypt and Egypt will not succeed. There would be division within the Egyptian rulers. People would lie to each other. For a similar situation in modern times one can think of Hitler and Stalin. For a time they had an alliance, only for Hitler to then launch an invasion of Russia (Operation Barbarossa), which did not end well for Hitler. There is the same pattern of lies, deceit and selfish ambition. The king of the North then returns to his own land. However, “his heart will be set against the holy covenant”. He profaned the temple, and slaughtered many of the Jews. It is noteworthy that it does not merely say he attacked Israel, but that he worked against the “holy covenant”. He is attacking God Himself. Jesus warned us that they will hate us because they hate Him (John 15:18).