Daniel 11:10-16 – Don’t take matters into 0ne’s own hand

In the account of Daniel 11:4-9, we witness a power struggle and intrigue between the northern kingdom of Syria and the southern kingdom of Egypt. The story revolves around the Seleucid dynasty of Syria. Seleucus II was defeated in his quest for vengeance for his sister Bernice by Ptolemy III of Egypt. This conflict sets the stage for the subsequent events in the saga, as described in Daniel 11:10-16.

Verse 10 of the biblical text refers to the two sons of Seleucus II who enter the fray. They assemble their massive forces to go to war with Egypt. Sadly, Seleucus III, the older of his sons, was killed in a revolt, and his brother, Antiochus III, took the lead and continued the campaign against Egypt. Antiochus III took the war to Egypt even “up to his very fortress.” 

Verses 11-13 of the biblical text summarize the ongoing conflict between Syria and Egypt. Despite years of relentless fighting, Syria eventually emerged victorious, defeating Ptolemy III of Egypt and reclaiming their land. This victory also served to keep Egypt at bay. 

Israel cherished the hope of being free from the dominion of Egypt under the Syrian. Hence, they supported Antiochus, but their hope was dampened. Verse 14 then describes a revolt in Israel by a faction of the Jews, which resulted in more pain for them. In 198 B.C., Antiochus III took control of the ground that the Ptolemy dynasty held for over a century. The Jews not only failed to free themselves but ended up in more trouble because Syria took firm control of Palestine.    

While it is necessary to consider all the facts and evaluate the potential outcomes before one decides to take sides, nothing can beat trusting God. In the case of Israel’s support for Antiochus, their hope for freedom from Egypt’s dominion led to even more pain and trouble.

Here, we learn that taking matters into your own hands can have serious consequences. It's important to remember that there are often better ways to handle a situation than by acting impulsively or without considering the potential outcomes. So, before making a decision, take a moment to consider the consequences and explore other options. In the long run, it's always better to trust God, be patient, and make an informed choice rather than taking hasty actions that may cause more harm than good.