Dan 9:5-19 | MHM | STEP | 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.

‏ Daniel 9:5-19

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.