And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.
a contrivance, i.e., (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice)
Analysis & Commentary
Antiochus's first Egyptian campaign (170 BC) against Ptolemy VI fulfilled this. Despite Egypt's large forces, Antiochus succeeded initially through superior tactics and Ptolemy's advisors' treachery ('forecast devices against him'). The prophecy's accuracy continues unbroken.
Historical Context
Daniel chapter 11 contains some of Scripture's most detailed predictive prophecy, written c. 536 BC and fulfilled with remarkable precision 200-160 BC during Ptolemaic-Seleucid conflicts. The prophecies served multiple purposes: encouraging Jewish exiles that God controls history, providing roadmap for future generations facing Hellenistic pressures, and typologically pointing to end-times Antichrist. Reformed theology sees dual fulfillment: near historical events (Antiochus Epiphanes) typifying far eschatological realities (final Antichrist). This pattern validates divine inspiration—only God knows future details with such precision. For believers under persecution, these prophecies demonstrated that tyrannical opposition is temporary, God's sovereignty absolute, and ultimate victory certain. The historical fulfillment encourages trust that eschatological promises will similarly fulfill exactly as prophesied.
Questions for Reflection
How does the remarkable precision of fulfilled prophecy strengthen faith in Scripture's divine origin?
What does the dual fulfillment pattern (historical Antiochus typifying eschatological Antichrist) teach about biblical prophecy's layered meaning?
How should these prophecies encourage believers facing persecution or opposition today?
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Analysis & Commentary
Antiochus's first Egyptian campaign (170 BC) against Ptolemy VI fulfilled this. Despite Egypt's large forces, Antiochus succeeded initially through superior tactics and Ptolemy's advisors' treachery ('forecast devices against him'). The prophecy's accuracy continues unbroken.