The wise among the people shall make many understand. – Daniel 11:33
Today’s passage is from the vision given to Daniel by God through an angel. Daniel had prayed and fasted for three weeks. The angel told him that God heard him the moment he prayed, but there was spiritual opposition to his coming, and the archangel Michael had to help him get through. The vision was about kings and kingdoms in conflict. God’s people were persecuted but, in the long run, they won and were rewarded.
There are differing opinions as to what this vision means. Some think everything has already been fulfilled, others believe that it is about the end times when Christ returns, and some think it is a mixture of both. Regardless of the interpretation, today’s verse indicates that wisdom is something to be sought.
Proverbs 1:20-33 personifies wisdom, saying that those who seek wisdom will be secure, at ease, and have no fear of disaster. Those who do not reverence the Lord, have not even started on the road to wisdom. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight” (Proverbs 9:10). The apostle James wrote that if you lack wisdom, ask God and He will give it to you, if you do not doubt (James 1:5-8).
As the new year nears, ask for wisdom for yourself and for the citizens and public officials of the United States. Pray that understanding will come through God’s wise people. Daniel earnestly prayed for Israel when that nation was experiencing deep conflict. May God’s people earnestly pray for His help in these troubled times and may His wisdom win out in this nation.
Today’s Verse: Daniel 11:33
And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though for some days they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: James 3:12-18
12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
