July 24 ▪ Day 205

Scripture Readings

Proverbs 20:1
Daniel 11–12
Matthew 24
Psalms 21

Verse Focus (Proverbs 20:1)

Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;
     whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

Meditation

Our verse focus today speaks of the danger of intoxicants. As Proverbs 20:1 says, in the NIV, “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.”

I took a look at the Hebrew interlinear text to understand a bit more about the verb used here — to be led astray. The Hebrew verb is shagah, and its primary meaning is to err or go astray. However, the secondary meaning of this verb is to reel or stagger in drunkenness, or to be intoxicated. The third meaning is more metaphorical — to go astray morally. So although the proverb talks about being led astray by alcoholic drinks, it is also saying that whoever is intoxicated by wine or beer is not wise.

The first half of the proverb says “wine is a mocker and beer [or strong drink] a brawler.” This could mean that wine turns you into a mocker, or it could mean that wine makes a mockery of you. Likewise with the beer. Strong drink turns you into a brawler — noisy, boisterous, unrestrained, and prone to fighting — but it also makes you more likely to become the subject of brawling. Of course, with the way proverbs tend to work, both meanings are likely true. As alcohol loosens your tongue, you are more apt to speak contemptuously and disrespectfully of others. Yet as you become inebriated, you also become the subject of others’ contempt. A kind of double whammy.

Father God, please help us to honor you in our use of alcoholic beverages or other intoxicants. Let us drink in moderation but not to excess. Father, this is a problem area for so many people. What little self-control we may have regarding this gets eroded as we drink; it’s also too easy to turn to alcohol for comfort or for relieving stress and then sometimes before we realize it, the drinking has become a serious problem. Lord, have mercy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daniel 11 contains some of the most detailed and specific Biblical prophecy in the Bible as it speaks of clashes between kingdoms over the next several hundred years. The accuracy of the details leads many academics to assume that this passage must have been written during the second century BC, instead of in 536 BC as the text claims.

The angel sent to explain things to Daniel is speaking as the chapter begins. He says that as soon as Darius the Mede came into power, it was the angel’s job to “confirm and strengthen him (v. 1).” The angel speaks of four kings of Persia — the fourth of whom will be extremely rich and strong. This fourth king of Persia will start stirring up trouble against Greece. Then will come Alexander the Great — the “mighty king” spoken of in verse 3, who rules for a very short time — but then his kingdom is divided into four different kingdoms. It is clear from these details that this chapter is both clarifying and amplifying Daniel’s vision of the ram and the goat first described in Daniel 8.

The chapter speaks of clashes between “the king of the south” (the Ptolemaic dynasty which ruled in Egypt) and “the king of the north” (the Seleucid dynasty that ruled in Phoenicia, Asia Minor, northern Syria, and Mesopotamia). Israel was caught between these two major powers, so their politics greatly affected the Holy Land. The chapter speaks of proposed alliances, as well as fighting between the kingdoms.

Verse 14 strikes me. “And the violent among your own people shall lift themselves up in order to fulfill the vision, but they shall fail.” On first reading, I interpreted that some of the Israelites rose up against the Egyptian ruler in a deliberate attempt to fulfill what they understood of this prophecy. It reminded me of current events — many believed that President Trump must win the 2020 election because they see him as fulfilling Biblical prophecies. This led, in part, to the violent but failed attempt to take over the capitol on January 6, 2021. But the second time reading through this chapter, I interpreted verse 14 differently. I saw the violent among the Israelites as rising up against the king of the south because it had been decreed by the prophecy, but not because they were aware of and consciously trying to fulfill the prophecy.

Verse 21 speaks of the rise of “a contemptible person to whom royal majesty has not been given.” Other translations call this man — identified as Antiochus IV Epiphanes of the Seleucid Empire — a “vile person.” He rises to power through “flatteries (v. 21),” acts deceitfully, and soon there is war between the kings of the north and south. Verse 27 tells us, “And as for the two kings, their hearts shall be bent on doing evil. They shall speak lies at the same table.” The Scripture tells us that their talks will not matter because “the end is yet to be at the time appointed (v. 27).”

Antiochus tries to come against Egypt again, but is blocked by “ships of Kittim (v. 30).” Instead, he pours out his wrath on the Promised Land. Verse 31 is significant. It says, “Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.” The “abomination of desolation” (as other translations word it) occurs when Antiochus sets up a statue of Zeus inside the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus refers to another prophetic fulfillment of this very incident in our reading today in Matthew 24:15.

Verse 32 speaks of Antiochus’ impact in Jerusalem. “He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.” There is conflict. Verse 35 tells us, “Some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made white, until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time.”

Verse 36 continues speaking of the king who sets himself up above every other god. The prophecies that remain in this chapter do not fit with Antiochus IV, so those who assume this is history and not prophecy interpret that this was written before his reign ended. The traditional evangelical interpretation, however, is that this refers to a prophecy yet to be fulfilled. Verse 35 is very reminiscent of Revelation, and Jesus also spoke of a second fulfillment of the abomination of desolation. Many believers interpret that there will be yet a third fulfillment of these prophecies in the end times.

Again, for additional insight into this chapter, please see Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Daniel Chapter 11.

Daniel chapter 12, the final chapter is this book, records a brief prophecy that clearly refers to the end times. Verse 1 speaks of the archangel Michael rising up. Verse 2 speaks of resurrection, and the judgment of the dead. Verse 3 promises, “And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” Daniel is instructed to “shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end (v. 4).”

There are a few final details to the prophecy. When asked how long until the “end of these wonders (v. 6),” the answer is the by now familiar “a time, times, and half a time (v. 7).” There is mention of 1,290 days, and 1,335 days. We are told in verse 10, that the “wicked shall act wickedly.” The verse continues to say, “And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand.” Lord, give us wisdom!

For additional commentary on this chapter, please see Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Daniel Chapter 12.

Matthew 24 is one of the few places where we have prophecy in the New Testament. Here, it is Jesus giving us a peek into what will happen in the end times. It begins when he makes a comment about the destruction of the temple in verse 2. The disciples ask two questions in verse 3. They ask when the temple will be destroyed (“when will these things be”), and they also ask what will be “the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

Before Jesus answers what the “sign” will be, he talks a bit about what are not signs. Wars and rumors of wars are not the sign of Jesus’ return, but only the birth pangs of the end times. Clashes of nations, earthquakes, and famine are also symptoms of the birth pangs. There will be tribulation and persecution of the believers. Many will fall away. There will be betrayal and hatred, and an increase of lawlessness. There will also be many false prophets that arise. Jesus tells us in verse 13, “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” The gospel will be preached to the world, and then the end will come.

As I understand things, in verses 15 through 22, Jesus answers the question about the destruction of the temple. He tells the disciples that when they see the abomination of desolation that Daniel spoke of standing in the holy place, then they should flee Judea. They should not stop to get anything out of the house; they should flee instantly. There will be great tribulation, but “for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short (v. 22).” The temple was destroyed in 70 AD by the Romans. They brought idols into the temple and sacrificed to them there. Titus also desecrated the Holy of Holies. Many people were killed, and the temple was burnt to the ground.

This view that the destruction of the temple in 70 AD fulfills (or is one of the fulfillments of) Daniel’s prophecy of the abomination that causes desolation is controversial among believers (as tends to be the case when you become specific about interpreting Biblical prophecy). If you google the topic, you will find many arguments for this theory and just as many that are against this theory.

In verses 23 through 26, Jesus again warns the disciples against false prophets. He tells us that the coming of the Son of Man will be unmistakable — like lightning (everyone will see it) and like vultures circling over a dead body (everyone understands why they are gathering).

In verses 29 through 31, Jesus answers the question of what the “sign” will be of Jesus’ return and the end of the age. The sign is quite apocalyptic — very similar to what we read in Revelation. The sun will be darkened, the moon will not give light, the stars will fall, and the “powers of the heavens will be shaken (v. 29).” The sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, people will mourn, and then Christ will be seen returning “on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (v. 30).”

As the chapter concludes, Jesus exhorts the disciples to take these signs to heart and to be watchful — no one but the Father knows when Christ will come again. Indeed, “the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect (v. 44).”

Psalm 21 is both praise and thanksgiving for how the LORD has blessed David as king, as well as a Messianic psalm. Jesus rejoices in the strength and salvation of the LORD. God has given Christ his heart’s desire, and has fulfilled his requests. Verse 4 says, “He asked life of you; you gave it to him, length of days forever and ever.” God gives His Messiah glory, splendor and majesty (v. 5). Indeed, the LORD will defeat all who fight against Him. The LORD is exalted.

Father God, thank you for the words of prophecy we read today. Continue to give us wisdom and understanding. Do not let us be fooled by false prophets. Help us to be ready and watchful for your return. Thank you that the victory is already assured through Jesus Christ. In his name, Amen.