Daniel 11:17-19 – The danger of being obsessed with power.

In our last reflection, Antiochus III took control of the ground that the Ptolemy dynasty held for over a century. But despite his dominance, Egypt was not entirely subdued. He then decided to use diplomatic action instead. Daniel 11:17-19 prophesied what he did. 

Antiochus III decided to ally his nation with Egypt through a peace proposal, a move that was both unexpected and shrewd. He offered his daughter, Cleopatra, in marriage to the king of Egypt, Ptolemy V. Antiochus III's objective was clearly to control Egypt through his daughter. However, he was disappointed when his daughter chose to stand with her husband rather than support her father. 

Disappointed that his plan did not meet his expectations, verse 18 reveals that he turned his attention to the coastland in his quest to gain more land. In Biblical terms, the coastland refers to areas around the Mediterranean Sea.    

However, verse 18 reveals that a commander would hamper his advance.   This commander would come from what Daniel 2:40 revealed as the rise of the fourth kingdom, a kingdom “as strong as iron, since iron crushes and shatters all things…”

This was the beginning of Antiochus III's end. He was defeated and made to pay a huge indemnity to Rome for the next twelve years. The Roman commander also took hostages, including his son, Antiochus IV, later known as Antiochus Epiphanes.   

After his kingdom had been reduced and his treasury depleted, Antiochus III made his eldest son, Seleucus IV, a co-regent and went to the eastern part of his kingdom in search of funds. However, his journey ended in tragedy. The tragic end of Antiochus III's reign is marked by his return to his land, as Daniel 11:19 states.

In a desperate attempt to replenish his depleted treasury, Antiochus III tried to rob the treasury of a small temple in the east. The guardians of the temple, defending their sacred space, attacked and killed him, ending his reign. This verse says that he was found no more, what a tragic end to a powerful ruler. 

The insatiable lust for power can drive people to do terrible things that would lead to their downfall. Blinded by ambition, many leaders must catch up on what is truly important. Obsessed with power, they would make poor decisions and even resort to duplicity to maintain their grip on power. These actions, driven by power, often result in a loss of trust, and respect, and ultimately, their downfall. 

In God’s economy, service to others holds more value than wielding power. It not only helps us to advance the purpose of God but also brings a sense of fulfillment and purpose to our lives. Don’t be selfish and short-sighted, losing sight of the actual godly goals we are called to accomplish. Prioritizing service over self-aggrandizement can lead to a more meaningful and impactful life.