Daniel 10:1-12:13
Ezra 4:24-5:1
Haggai 1:1-15
Daniel shared his final prophecy, which included a detailed account of
the coming struggles for God’s people (11:2-12:12). Though they would have asylum under Persian
rule, Persian power would be thwarted by the Greeks, namely Alexander the Great
(refer to the ram and goat prophecy, Daniel 8). However, Alexander’s early death broke apart
his empire into four pieces. “The Kings of the North and South,” who battle
each other in Daniel’s vision, are two of Alexander’s generals — Seleucus in
Syria and Ptolemy in Egypt. Daniel’s vision was so accurate that Bible critics
believe that it was written after these things happened! They cannot stomach
the thought of prophecy being true.
Of course, as these two countries — Syria and Egypt — antagonize each
other, God’s people, the Jews, are right in the middle of the action.
Eventually, one king, Antiochus Epiphanes of Syria, emerges victorious, but he
persecutes the Jews and desecrates the Temple. Because of his heavy hand, the
Jews manage to sustain a rebellion called the Maccabean Revolt, during which
they will cleanse the Temple and rid themselves of Antiochus’ rule.
All of these things in Daniel’s vision will take place, as history now
confirms, between the Old and New Testaments. More than 400 years of history is
passed over between the last prophecy of Malachi (last book in the Old Testament) and the opening
scenes of Matthew’s gospel. The rest of Daniel’s vision provides us with
another brief look at the end times (12:1-12). A powerful leader will rise, the Anti-Christ,
who will defy God’s authority, disrespect His Temple in Jerusalem, and attempt
to destroy the Jews.
Our section today ended with a look at what was taking place in
Jerusalem. The momentum of the first return had been sidetracked; the people there were tasked
with rebuilding the Temple but they focused, instead, on rebuilding their homes.
That’s when the Lord sent the prophet Haggai to jolt His people into action.
“Why are you living in luxurious homes,” He said, “when My house lies in ruins?
This is why you plant much but harvest little... I have called for a drought to
ruin everything you have worked so hard to get... Now go up into the hills,
bring down timber, and rebuild My house!” (1:3-11) Haggai’s message sparked the
enthusiasm of Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the other leaders and they began the
Temple project again.
Daily Reflection
All of us are building something, either the
kingdom of God or a kingdom for ourselves. The Jews were so concerned about
their own business that they neglected the work of the Lord. By setting His work
on the shelf, they were forfeiting His blessings in their lives; He was, instead,
working against them, to frustrate all of their efforts.
What are you building? Where is your focus — on the things that God
has called you to do or are you too busy accomplishing your own plans? Explain
your answer.
Remember when Nebuchadnezzar was walking around his palace,
overlooking Babylon? He said this, “Isn’t Babylon great? I have built this city
by My
own power and
for the glory
of My own majesty.” He was absorbed with building his own kingdom. Does this describe
you? You cannot build God’s kingdom and your own at the same time. It will be one or
the other.
BiAY.org | Day 253 — 112 Days to Go
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