Deeper Reflection
The narrative in verses 5 to 13 in Daniel’s prophetic-theological vision is literally power-packed. The kings of the Ptolemaic Kingdom and the Seleucid Kingdom are particularly described in terms of power – political and military power: “grow strong” (v.5), “display great strength” (v.7), “assemble a multitude of great forces” (vv.10, 11), “raise a greater army…with much equipment” (v.13). The breakdown in the marriage alliance between the South Kingdom and the North Kingdom has to do with the king of the South Kingdom “not remaining with his power” and his daughter “not retaining her position of power” (v.6). This breakdown sparked off the cycles of wars between the two kingdoms: The South Kingdom fought the North Kingdom (vv.7-8), the North fought the South (v.9), the South fought the North (vv.10-12) and the North fought the South (v.13). And these conflicts stopped only when the Romans came to power (cf. Dan 11:18, 30 ⁴⁷).In a war between two earthly kingdoms, one wins and the other loses. No kingdom wants to remain a loser if it has the power to fight back to win. This mindset lies behind the cycles of wars between the South Kingdom and the North Kingdom. But the kingdom of God is radically different. This kingdom wins by losing. This mindset is demonstrated by the crucified Christ. This mindset is “to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness” (1 Cor 1:23). But the cross is “the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:24). We are to know Christ, even Him crucified (1 Cor 2:2).

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⁴⁷ Earnest C. Lucas, 282, 286