Daniel 9
Daniel's Confession and Prayer.This section shows Daniel turning from his work for the king to something even more important—praying to God for his people. Daniel was not just concerned for himself, but for the whole nation of Israel. He studied the scriptures, especially the prophecies of Jeremiah, and realized that the time for the end of the Jews’ captivity was near. This understanding led him to seek God with all his heart, praying for forgiveness and restoration for his people.v. 1: In the first year of Darius the Mede, after Babylon was conquered, Daniel began to pray earnestly to God. This was the same year that the seventy years of the Jews’ captivity were coming to an end, but the official order for their release had not yet been given. Daniel’s prayers may have happened before he was thrown into the lions’ den. He was motivated to keep praying, even when it was dangerous, because he had seen how powerful and comforting prayer could be . v. 2: Daniel understood from reading the book of Jeremiah that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years (After seventy years be accomplished in Babylon, I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, Jeremiah 29:10 a). Even though Daniel was a prophet himself, he still studied the scriptures carefully. He realized that the time for God’s promise was almost here, so he turned to God in prayer. This teaches us that no one is above reading and learning from the Bible, no matter how wise or important they are . v. 3: When Daniel saw that the seventy years were almost finished, he set his face to seek God with prayer and fasting. He humbled himself by wearing sackcloth and sitting in ashes, showing how serious and sincere he was. Daniel knew that God’s promises should lead us to pray even more, not less. He wanted to make sure that the people were ready for God’s deliverance, and that their sins would not delay it. Daniel’s prayer was intense and humble, showing his deep concern for his people and his faith in God’s mercy . Daniel’s Prayer of Confession and Intercession This section records Daniel’s heartfelt prayer to God after he realized from the Scriptures that Jerusalem’s desolation would last seventy years. Daniel prays with deep humility, confessing the sins of his people and pleading for God’s mercy. This prayer is a powerful example of how to seek forgiveness and restoration, not only for oneself but also for an entire nation. v. 4: Daniel begins his prayer by addressing God as the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant and shows steadfast love to those who love Him and keep His commandments. He recognizes God’s faithfulness and justice and sets the tone of reverence for the whole prayer. v. 5: He confesses that the people of Israel have sinned, done wrong, acted wickedly, and rebelled. They have turned away from God’s commands and laws. Daniel does not excuse the people’s actions but admits their guilt plainly. v. 6: Daniel says that they have not listened to God’s servants, the prophets, who spoke in God’s name to their kings, leaders, ancestors, and all the people of the land. This shows that ignoring God’s warnings is a serious sin. v. 7: Daniel acknowledges that God is righteous, but the people of Judah, Jerusalem, and all Israel are covered with shame because of their unfaithfulness. No matter where they are—near or far away in exile—they all share this shame because of their disloyalty to God. v. 8: Daniel repeats that the people, their kings, leaders, and ancestors are covered with shame because they have sinned against God. This highlights that everyone, from the greatest to the least, is responsible for the nation’s wrongdoing. v. 9: He declares that the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though the people have rebelled against Him. Daniel appeals to God’s character, knowing that only God’s mercy can bring forgiveness. v. 10: Daniel admits that the people have not obeyed the Lord’s voice or followed His laws, which He gave through His servants the prophets. Disobedience to God’s word is at the heart of their problems. v. 11: He confesses that all Israel has transgressed God’s law and turned away, refusing to obey Him. Because of this, the curses and judgments written in the Law of Moses have come upon them, just as God warned would happen if they disobeyed. v. 12: Daniel says that God has fulfilled His words spoken against the people and their rulers by bringing great calamity. Nothing like this has ever happened to Jerusalem before. God’s actions are just and keep His promises, both for blessings and for discipline. v. 13: Daniel points out that all this disaster came upon them, just as it was written in the Law of Moses. Yet they have not sought God’s favor by turning from their sins and paying attention to His truth. v. 14: Therefore, the Lord has kept the disaster ready and brought it upon them, because the Lord is righteous in everything He does. Daniel admits that the people did not obey God’s voice. v. 15: Daniel recalls how God brought His people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and made a name for Himself. But now, the people have sinned and done wrong again. Daniel refers to God’s past acts of salvation to ask for mercy in the present. v. 16: He pleads with God to turn away His righteous anger and wrath from Jerusalem, God’s holy mountain, because of the people’s sins and the wrongdoing of their ancestors. Their shame has made Jerusalem and the people a disgrace to those around them. v. 17: Daniel asks God to listen to his prayer and look with favor on the ruined sanctuary in Jerusalem for the Lord’s sake. He prays for God’s attention and mercy, not because the people deserve it, but because of God’s great compassion. v. 18: He begs God to hear and to act, not because of their own righteousness, but because of God’s great mercy. Daniel knows that only God’s grace can save them. v. 19: Daniel ends his prayer with a passionate plea: “O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your own sake, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your name.” Daniel’s prayer is urgent, humble, and full of faith in God’s mercy. Gabriel’s Message and the Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks This section describes how Daniel, while he was praying and confessing the sins of Israel, received a special answer from God. The angel Gabriel comes to give Daniel understanding about the future of God’s people. Gabriel explains a prophecy called the “seventy weeks,” which tells about the coming of the Messiah, the rebuilding of Jerusalem, and the end of sin. This prophecy is very important for understanding God’s plan of salvation and the coming of Jesus Christ. v. 20: While Daniel is still speaking, praying, confessing his own sin and the sin of Israel, and presenting his request to God for Jerusalem, his prayer is quickly heard. He is honest and humble before God, showing true repentance. v. 21: While Daniel is still praying, the angel Gabriel comes to him in a vision. Gabriel had appeared to Daniel before, and now he comes quickly, at the time of the evening sacrifice. Even though the temple is destroyed, Daniel still remembers the times of sacrifice and prays faithfully. v. 22: Gabriel talks with Daniel and helps him understand the meaning of the vision. He tells Daniel that he has come to give him wisdom and understanding about what will happen to Israel. v. 23: Gabriel says that when Daniel began to pray, God gave a command to answer him. Gabriel tells Daniel that he is loved and gives him a message so he can understand the future. God responds quickly to sincere prayer. v. 24: Gabriel explains that “seventy weeks” (which are understood as seventy groups of seven years, or 490 years) are determined for the people of Israel and Jerusalem. During this time, God will finish the work of dealing with sin, bringing in everlasting righteousness, and fulfilling prophecy. The “Most Holy” will be anointed, pointing to the coming of the Messiah. v. 25: Gabriel tells Daniel to know and understand that from the command to rebuild Jerusalem until the coming of the “Anointed One” (the Messiah), there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks (69 weeks, or 483 years). During this time, Jerusalem will be rebuilt, even in difficult times. v. 26: After the sixty-two weeks, the Messiah will be “cut off” (killed), but not for himself. This means the Messiah will die, but not for his own sins—he will die for others. After this, the city and sanctuary will be destroyed by the people of a coming ruler. There will be war and desolation until the end. v. 27: Gabriel says that the ruler will make a strong covenant with many for one week (seven years). In the middle of the week, he will stop sacrifices and offerings. Terrible things will happen, but in the end, God’s judgment will come upon the one who causes desolation. Summary: While Daniel prays for his people, God sends Gabriel to give him a message about the future. The prophecy of the seventy weeks tells when the Messiah will come, that he will die for others, and that Jerusalem will be destroyed again. But God also promises to finish the work of salvation and bring in everlasting righteousness. This prophecy shows that God is in control of history and that he answers the prayers of those who seek him with humble hearts.
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