BITS and PIECES
A random collection of news and views compiled by Frank McClelland for the Toronto Free Presbyterian Church.
221st Edition – December 15, 2024
AN ASTOUNDING CHAPTER
Daniel is a very interesting book, no part more so than chapter 11. Sadly, many people are so into the meaning of the seventy weeks in chapter 9 that they miss the wonder of chapter 11.
This chapter was written in 539BC and is a pre-written history of the middle east until the birth of Christ as it was divinely revealed to Daniel. So, he is foretelling events in considerable detail some hundreds of years before they would occur.
Daniel speaks several times of the kings “of the south.” He is referring to the Ptolemies who reigned over Egypt. They were not Egyptians but Macedonians, descended from Ptolemy Soter who was one of the generals of Alexander the Great.
Daniel also refers to the kings “of the north.” They are part of the Seleucid Empire, which included Syria, Assyria and Babylonia. From this empire would come eventually Antiochus the Great [11: 10] and Antiochus Epiphanes [11:21] who is a type of the end-time anti-Christ. The famous Cleopatra became the wife of Ptolemy Epiphanes. Daniel speaks of her some 500 years before she was born. [Daniel 11:17].
The “people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits” [11:32] are the Maccabees, rebel warriors, who took control of Judah, which was part of the Seleucid empire at the time. They ruled from about 164BC to 63BC when the Romans invaded the country.
Unfortunately, we have not space to go into all the specifics of the successive Ptolemies and Seleucids, but Daniel gives great detail, and it is a fascinating study.
If you would like to know more, get a good commentary on Daniel and study it carefully. You will be astounded at prophecies made in the smallest detail over hundreds of years before they came to pass. Just as surely as God penned the Ten Commandments so He inspired Daniel.
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF DANIEL
Daniel was one of the godliest of men in the Bible. He is linked with Noah and Job as an example of righteousness. [Ezekiel 14:14]. We are told that “an excellent spirit” was in him, so much so that he, a Judean exile in Babylon, was able to serve in high office under successive kings Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar and Darius.
Not only did he have the respect of the political leaders of his day, but heaven bore this testimony of him, that he was a man “greatly beloved” [Daniel 9:23 & 10:11, 19].
He was a courageous man who stood up for God and His law, and was not afraid of the political ramifications of his actions. The Lord also endowed him with “light and understanding and excellent wisdom” [5:14]. Daniel was also a man of faithful prayer even in times of great personal danger.
If we want to be more effective as a man or woman of God, we could do little better than use Daniel as a role model. We may not reach the spiritual level of Daniel, but we will be “better” Christians for it.
A BETTER WAY
When studying any Bible book or chapter it is always a good practice to note the key words. If God uses the same words repetitively, He has a message for us.
One of the key words in the book of Hebrews is “better.” It appears 12 times in the book. For example, Paul speaks of Christ being “better” than angels [1:4], a “better” hope [7:19], a “better” testament [7:22], and a “better resurrection” [1135].
This word “better” gives us the basis for personal prayer. It is good to pray, Lord, make me a “better” person, a “better” spouse,
a “better” parent, a “better” grandparent, and even a “better” great grandparent.
It is especially important to pray, Lord, make me a “better” Christian, and a “better” witness for the Lord. It should be noted that the word “better” is a comparison between that which is not so good, and that which has improved and is now “better.” May the Lord help us by His Spirit to be “better” examples of “the believers” [I Tim. 4:12].
“Them that honour me, I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” [I Samuel 2:30].
