John Calvin Commentary Daniel 11:25

"And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall war in battle with an exceeding great and mighty army; but he shall not stand; for they shall devise devices against him." — Daniel 11:25 (ASV)

The angel here announces how Antiochus Epiphanes, after prevailing by fraud, would become bolder in his daring. He would venture to levy a hostile army and invade Egypt openly, without any further dissimulation. He therefore says, at length he shall rouse his strength and his courage. He had previously crept along through hiding places and strongholds, and had not roused either his strength or his courage while remaining quiet at home; meanwhile, he obtained possession of various towns by treachery and other artifices.

This was merely creeping along by burrowing underground. But now he openly declares war, brings his forces into the field of battle, and thus stirs up his strength and his courage. As I have already said, his new method of warfare is described here as unusual for him, as his audacity, doubtless, gradually increased through the series of successes he had enjoyed. Through these successes, and by practicing deceit, he had become more powerful than his nephew.

He afterwards adds, with a great army. He had mentioned a small band; now he contrasts it with a large army. For it required a long time to collect extensive financial resources to carry on the war, and also to enlarge and extend his own territories. He was thus able to enlist new troops, while his prosperity induced many to become his allies. Since he found himself in every way superior to his nephew, he assembled a great army.

The king of the south also shall be irritated; that is, he will not dare to harass his own uncle Antiochus but will be forced into open warfare. He shall come, then, with a great army, a very great, strong, and powerful one, he says, but he shall not stand, because they shall devise devices against him; meaning, he will be conquered by treachery. Here the angel indicates that Ptolemy would have had sufficient courage to resist if he had not been betrayed by his followers. We will perceive this more clearly in the next verse tomorrow.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, that we may remain quiet under your shelter and protection, in the midst of those numerous disturbances which you ever allow us to witness in this world. May we never lose our courage when an occasion is given to Satan and our enemies to oppress us, but may we remain secure under your protection, and every hour and every moment may we fly to your guardianship. Relying on your unconquered power, may we never hesitate to pass through all commotions in such a way as to repose with quiet minds upon your grace, until at length we are gathered into that happy and eternal rest which you have prepared for us in heaven, by Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.