Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
Note: For more information relevant to this passage of Daniel eleven, see the accompanying Appendix (PDF download) that deals with the following topic: A Brief Commentary on the History Recorded in Daniel 11:2-35.
Also, consider the second accompanying Appendix (PDF download) that deals with the topic: The Character and Career of the Final Anti-Christ and the Consummation of History as Revealed in Daniel 11:36-12:4.
1. Why do you suppose the Lord has given such a detailed account of some 320 years of Near Eastern history (contained in Daniel 11:2-35), starting from the time of the Jews’ restoration to the land of Canaan?
There is a two-fold reason for this lengthy, detailed panorama of history dealing with that period of time extending from the return of the Jews to Palestine from their Babylonian Captivity. The first purpose is to insure the people of God of their Lord’s sovereign control over history and all the events of history, even those events that appear to be only detrimental to the welfare of His people. By giving to His people a detailed description of these future events, the Lord is assuring them that, indeed, He is the God who reigns over history and controls history for the accomplishment of His divine purpose. Another reason for this detailed panorama is to warn His people of the dire consequences that result when they seek to assert themselves, taking matters into their own hands, rather than trusting in the Lord their God and waiting upon Him to fulfill His promises and good purpose.
2. How are the people of God described in this lengthy narrative? See Daniel 11:14 and 31-35 (printed below)
In those times many will stand against the king of the South. Also, the violent men among your people will rebel in an effort to fulfill the vision, but they will fall. (Daniel 11:14)
He will send armed forces to desecrate the sanctuary, the place of refuge. They will take away the daily sacrifice and set up in its place the abomination that causes desolation. (32) By means of persuasive words he will cause those who have transgressed against the covenant to become apostates. But the people who know their God will be strong and take action against him. (33) Those who are wise among the people will instruct many; though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or be captured or be plundered. (34) Now as they fall, they will receive a little help; and many shall join themselves with them, but not sincerely. (35) Some of those who are wise shall fall in order to refine them, purge them, and make them pure for the end time; because the end is still to come at the appointed time. (Daniel 11:31-35)
In verse 14 Daniel is informed that at one point during this period of history, “the violent men among your people will rebel in an effort to fulfill the vision.” Verses 31-35 give the account of a time when the king of the north (i.e.; the king of Syria) “will vent his fury against the holy covenant and take action against it. He will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant. He will send armed forces to desecrate the sanctuary, …but the people who know their God will be strong and take action against him. Those who are wise among the people will instruct many; though for a time they will fall by the sword.” Note: The “little help” mentioned in verse 34 is referring specifically to a contingent within the community of God’s people who would seek to deliver Israel from their oppressor.
3. What are we told about some of the people of God in verse 14 (printed above under question #2?) What will be the result of their action?
Verse 14 speaks of a time when “the violent men” in Israel shall take matters into their own hands in an effort “to fulfill the vision; but they will fall.” That is to say, some within Israel would resort to violent means in an effort to bring about the liberation of Israel from pagan domination and establish the kingdom of God. At this particular time the people of Israel found themselves under Egyptian rule. But several uprisings within Egypt itself served to weaken its power. These internal uprisings inspired some of the Jews in Palestine to rebel against their Egyptian overlords. But this Jewish rebellion led by Tobias would not result in independence, but in trouble. Having rebelled against Egypt, the Jews looked to Syria for favor and protection. But eventually the Syrian “protection” would become far more threatening and oppressive than the former Egyptian occupation (Exposition of Daniel, H.C. Leupold, pp.487-490). Thus, taking matters into their own hands, these Jewish leaders did not “fulfill the vision;” on the contrary, they fell.
4. What adverse experience that the people of God would suffer is described in verses 31-35 (printed above under question #2?) According to verse 35, what is one valuable result that would come from this experience?
Verses 31-35 speak of the distressful times of adversity that would come upon the nation of Israel in the days of Antiochus Epiphanes, the king of Syria. The sanctuary would be profaned, and the abomination that causes desolation (the abominable pagan image that would cause the sanctuary to be polluted and thereby offend God’s holy presence) would be erected. The godly in Israel would fall by the sword and by flames, and be taken into captivity. A closer look at verses 31-35 reveals several ways the Lord employs adversity for the good of His people. For one thing, the Lord used this adversity to produce and refine Christian character in the lives of His people (verse 35).
5. According to verse 34 (printed below), what will the people of God receive as they find themselves falling before their ruthless persecutors? Will the final outcome of this “assistance” prove to produce beneficial or adverse results?
Now as they fall, they will receive a little help; and many shall join themselves with them, but not sincerely. (Daniel 11:34)
In verse 34 we are told that in the midst of their adversity the people of God were helped with “a little help” (a reference to the Maccabees). At Modein, a village west of Jerusalem, there lived an elderly priest named Matathias. When he was ordered by the Syrian official to offer a pagan sacrifice, he killed the official, tore down the altar, and together with his sons fled into the hills (the story is related in 1 Maccabees 2:15-28). After his death in 166 B.C., his son, Judas Maccabeus, using guerrilla tactics, won a number of brilliant victories over the Syrians. But note that the deliverance by the Maccabees is described as being only “a little help.” Due to their successful military campaigns, the Maccabees would find that many Jews would be “converted” to their cause—but not sincerely converted to the Lord. This deliverance would soon degenerate into worldly goals and self-ambition. It started out as a revolt to purify the land of pagan influence, eventually it degenerated into corruption and self-ambition; the descendants of the Maccabees established a monarchy that was little different from the pagan nations around them.
