Commentary on Daniel Chapters 1-12 John Calvin (continued)
JOHN CALVIN
shall do it and return to his own dominions The meaning of the word for "do" we have already explained. The angel signifies the absence of every obstacle which could prevent the destruction of the city and temple by Antiochus. This was a severe trial, and would cause the minds of the faithful to be disturbed and tossed about because God gave up his temple to this cruel tyrant, and permitted the sacred vessels and the hidden treasures to be carried off with the greatest ignominy. It was necessary, then, to inform the faithful beforehand of this grievous slaughter, lest its novelty should astonish them and overthrow the constancy of their faith. Hence we gather this practical instruction — God often predicts many sorrowful events for us, and yet this instruction ought not to embitter our feelings; for he wishes to fortify us against the trial which the novelty of the event, must occasion. Thus the angel, while treating of occurrences by no means agreeable, was a useful herald of all the calamities which must happen, lest anything unusual or unexpected should fall upon the pious. Thus they would acknowledge the affliction to proceed from God's hand; and while they were exposed to the lust of Antiochus, yet God by his certain and incomprehensible counsel allowed much license to this impious tyrant. It afterwards follows
Daniel 11:29-30 29. At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.
29. Ad tempus revertetur et veniet in AEgyptum: et non erit ut prius, it a posterius. 494
30. For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.
30. Et venient contra eum naves Cithim, et debilitabitur, 495 et revertetur, et indignabitur adversus foedus sanctitatis, et faciet, et revertetur, et intelliget, 496 ad desertores foederis sanctitatis.
First of all, the angel says, Antiochus should return a short time afterwards and take possession of Egypt. This was the fruit of that pretended peace and perfidious friendship which has already been mentioned. For the uncle and nephew banqueted together in mutual distrust, as the angel has already stated, and as we found in the 27th verse of this chapter. This deception was shortly afterwards dissolved, when Antiochus, without any reasonable impulse, returned to Egypt. In this way he shewed his want of nothing but an opportunity for breaking the truce, and he only delayed it for a time, because he had no wish to oppress his nephew in haste. This, then, is one point. We may take the word {}מועדmogned, "time," for a period divinely predetermined; but as this explanation may seem too forced, I am contented
494That is, the issue should be different, for the latter expedition should not succeed as the former one did. — Calvin.
495Or, he shall grieve, which sense I rather prefer. — Calvin. 496That is, he shall apply his mind. — Calvin.