What can we learn about God's sovereignty from the events in Daniel 11:6? Setting and Text “After some years they will form an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the South will go to the king of the North to establish the agreement. But she will not retain her power, nor will the strength of his arm endure. She will be given up, along with her attendants, her father, and the one who supported her in those times.” — Daniel 11:6 • Historically, this describes the marriage of Berenice (daughter of Ptolemy II, the “king of the South”) to Antiochus II (the “king of the North”). • The political marriage was meant to secure peace, but it collapsed when Ptolemy II died. Antiochus returned to his former wife, Laodice, who then orchestrated the deaths of Antiochus, Berenice, and many who backed the treaty. • Daniel recorded the prophecy around 350 years before these events unfolded—an unmistakable marker of divine sovereignty. Sovereign Foreknowledge Displayed • Only the Lord can predict future political details with such precision (Isaiah 46:9-10). • The specificity—an alliance, a daughter as peace-offer, the failure of both rulers’ power, and the betrayal—reveals a God who sees history before it happens. • This foreknowledge is not passive; it is the deliberate unveiling of a plan “declaring the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:10). Human Plans, Divine Control • Earthly leaders devised an alliance, yet “the counsel of the LORD stands forever” (Psalm 33:11). • Their marriage strategy crumbled exactly as foretold, underscoring Proverbs 19:21: “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.” • Even the betrayal—seemingly driven by jealousy and ambition—served as a stage for God’s word to prove true. Rise and Fall in His Hands • Daniel 2:21: “He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them.” • Antiochus II’s sudden loss of authority (“nor will the strength of his arm endure”) shows that no ruler’s grip on power is secure apart from God. • Berenice’s downfall (“she will not retain her power”) reminds us that status and influence are granted—and rescinded—by the Lord (1 Samuel 2:7-8). Purpose Beyond the Immediate • The failed treaty set the stage for further conflicts between the Seleucids and the Ptolemies, eventually leading to the rise of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (Daniel 11:21-35), a foreshadowing of future antichrist figures. • God’s sovereignty is not limited to isolated moments; He weaves each event into a larger redemptive tapestry that culminates in the reign of Christ (Ephesians 1:10). Personal Takeaways on God’s Sovereignty • Trust the Lord’s Word: Prophecies fulfilled with such accuracy affirm that every promise in Scripture will likewise come to pass (2 Corinthians 1:20). • Rest amid political upheaval: Kings, elections, and alliances change, but “the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He will” (Daniel 4:17). • Hold plans lightly: Commit decisions to the One who alone guarantees outcomes (James 4:13-15). • Marvel at God’s precision: The same God who directed ancient empires also orders the details of our lives (Matthew 10:29-31). |
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