November 19

DANIEL 11

⁷ “And from a branch from her roots one shall arise in his place. He shall come against the army and enter the fortress of the king of the north, and he shall deal with them and shall prevail. ⁸ He shall also carry off to Egypt their gods with their metal images and their precious vessels of silver and gold, and for some years he shall refrain from attacking the king of the north. ⁹ Then the latter shall come into the realm of the king of the south but shall return to his own land.¹⁰ “His sons shall wage war and assemble a multitude of great forces, which shall keep coming and overflow and pass through, and again shall carry the war as far as his fortress. ¹¹ Then the king of the south, moved with rage, shall come out and fight against the king of the north. And he shall raise a great multitude, but it shall be given into his hand. ¹² And when the multitude is taken away, his heart shall be exalted, and he shall cast down tens of thousands, but he shall not prevail. ¹³ For the king of the north shall again raise a multitude, greater than the first. And after some years he shall come on with a great army and abundant supplies. – Daniel 11:7-12

DANIEL 11 GOD ANTICIPATES HISTORY BY HUNDREDS OF YEARS

According to Dr. Constable’s expository notes on this chapter, verse 7 refers to Berenice’s brother, Ptolemy III (246-222 B.C.), whose other name, “Euergetes,” means “Benefactor,” succeeded his father and determined to avenge Berenice’s death. He attacked Seleucus II at Antioch in Syria and killed Laodice. He also conquered much adjacent territory and remained the foremost power in the region for the rest of his reign. In verse 8 Ptolemy III returned to Egypt from Antioch with much spoil, including idols and precious vessels from the temples and treasure houses of Syria. He also signed a treaty with Seleucus II in 240 B.C. that resulted in peace between their two nations. Verse 9 refers to Seleucus II invading Egypt later unsuccessfully, though there is no record of this in secular history. Seleucus II’s son, Seleucus III Ceraunus (sometimes called Soter, 226-223 B.C.), succeeded his father upon his death in 227 B.C. However, Seleucus III himself died not many years later in 223 B.C., and his brother, Antiochus III the Great (223-187 B.C.), became king of the North. Both of these sons of Seleucus II had sought to restore Syria’s glory. Seleucus III invaded Asia Minor, and later Antiochus III attacked Egypt. Though Antiochus III did not defeat Egypt, he was successful in gaining control of Israel during his campaign of 219-217 B.C. Egypt’s northern border had until then been Syria, but Antiochus III drove the Egyptians, then led by Ptolemy IV, back to the southern borders of Israel. He earned the epitaph “the Great” because of his military successes.

All of this prediction did not just prove that God can anticipate history by hundreds of years, an amazing fact in itself. It also set the stage for events in the Holy Land, which was the primary concern of this revelation to Daniel.

REFLECTION

• What is God revealing to Daniel in the details of this vision? What about to you?

November 15

DANIEL 10

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision.² In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. ³ I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks. ⁴ On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris) ⁵ I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. ⁶ His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. ⁷ And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. ⁸ So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength. ⁹ Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground. – Daniel 10:1-9

DANIEL 10 THE VISION OF THE MAN

The vision of the man that was given to Daniel at the Tigris was assumed by some scholars as either the Son of God or an angel. However, what the man said especially in verse 13 which is not in this account yet has made scholars to prefer the view that this man was an angel.According to sources, The similarities between this man, and the one Ezekiel and the Apostle John saw, argue for his being divine (Ezekiel 1:26-28; Revelation 1:13-16; Revelation 2:18). However, what this man proceeded to say (esp. Daniel 10:13) has led some to prefer the view that he was an angel. The verse says “The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia.” This would indicate it wasn’t the Son of God since the man was asking for help. The man described here looked like what John saw in Revelation 1:13-16 which illustrates a person of great glory and splendor. Walvord comments “The impression given to Daniel was that the entire body of the man in the vision was like a gigantic transparent jewel reflecting the glory of the rest of the vision.”

REFLECTION

• How different was this vision of Daniel from the rest of his other visions?

November 14

DANIEL 9

²⁴ “Seventy weeksare decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. ²⁵ Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. And for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. ²⁶ And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Itsend shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. ²⁷ And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.” – Daniel 9:24-27

DANIEL 9 SEVENTY WEEKS VISION

According to some references, the Hebrew word translated “weeks” (shabu’im) literally means “sevens.” In Genesis 29, it can refer to seven days or in Leviticus 25, it could mean seven years. The Jews observed a seven-year celebration (the sabbatical year), as well as a seven-day celebration (the Sabbath). Most scholars believe that this word here represents seven years. It would have been normal then for him to interpret these sevens as years. Seventy-seven year periods totals 490 years. As Jerusalem was suffering under the hand of Gentiles for 70 years (Daniel 9:2), so the Jews and Jerusalem would suffer under the hand of Gentiles for 490 years.  

Commentator Young says that “By the time these 490 years run their course, God will have completed six things for Israel. The first three have to do with sin, and the second three with the kingdom. The basis for the first three was provided in the work of Christ on the cross, but all six will be realized by Israel at the Second Advent of Christ.” Young continues that “This is a Divine revelation of the fact that a definite period of time has been decreed for the accomplishment of all that is necessary for the true restoration of God’s people from bondage. “This seventy-weeks vision manifests God’s mercy and steadfast love for his people. He prepares them for what is to come.

REFLECTION

• What can you infer from this vision as to the character and nature of God?

November 13

DANIEL 9

²⁰ While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the Lord my God for the holy hill of my God, ²¹ while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice. ²² He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, “O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. ²³ At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision. – Daniel 9:20-23

DANIEL 9 PROMPT ANSWERS FOR FERVENT PRAYERS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Are you full of hope and faith when you pray?

Do you put your heart, mind and soul to your plea?

The Lord answers promptly those who are fervent

He can quickly respond to you while you’re still in prayer

God knows every need you have even before you ask it

So, run to your Father in heaven who is a generous giver.

During this time of Daniel’s prayer, while he was still confessing and declaring his petitions, God answered his prayer by sending Gabriel who gave him insight as to the vision Daniel saw. What struck me most in this account is how fast the Lord answered his fervent prayers. He answered Daniel while he was still in prayer and had not yet finished. It was amazing too that before the response and insight was given, Gabriel reminded Daniel how much greatly loved he is by God.

Do you pray fervently like Daniel did? Do you have undivided attention as you present your petitions and pleas to the Lord? Is your heart, soul, mind and body present as you lay down all your concerns and sins to the Lord? This kind of focus and heartfelt stance is what God expects from his people. Daniel was the personification of a fervent prayer. What a gift Daniel was for all believers! We were given a sample of how we can pray in spirit and in truth. He prayed like Jesus did in the garden of Gethsemane, vulnerable, honest and humble.

REFLECTION

• Share a time when you prayed fervently and it was answered promptly by God.

November 11

DANIEL 9

¹¹ All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him. ¹² He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us, by bringing upon us a great calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem. ¹³ As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth. ¹⁴ Therefore the Lord has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the Lord our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice. ¹⁵ And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly. – Daniel 9:11-15

DANIEL 9 TAKING OWNERSHIP OF SINS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When sin has been born out of our selfish desires

We have gone against the Lord God Almighty

We need to take ownership of our lawlessness

That’s what happens when we admit our sinfulness.

We cannot please God unless we cut our ties with the world

Without the Spirit’s convictions, we cannot come to the Lord

Without accountability, we will continue to love sin

If we follow our nature, we would always want what God hates.

In this account, we witness Daniel’s intercessory prayer for the people of God. Notice how he uses “we” instead of “they” in his confession to God. He admits and takes accountability for what the people of God have done against the Lord. He recognizes that because of the transgression, the wrath of God is the right response to such sins. Daniel knows the Lord very well and accepts the consequences of the sins. How many of us can truly fervently confess, repent and worship the Lord all at the same time. This is probably why Daniel’s prayer is considered like Jesus’ prayer at the garden of Gethsemane.

REFLECTION

• Why and how is confession an important aspect of a believer’s prayer?

November 10

DANIEL 9

In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— ² in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.³ Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. ⁴ I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, ⁵ we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. ⁶ We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. ⁷ To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. ⁸ To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. ⁹ To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him ¹⁰ and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. – Daniel 9:1-10

DANIEL 9 CONFESSION & FERVENT PRAYER

According to sources Daniel ministered from 605–539/538 BC. This makes him a contemporary of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, though Daniel’s ministry ended after theirs. Jeremiah prophesied the 70 years of captivity. In Jeremiah 25:2 we hear that Jeremiah spoke of this prophecy to all of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem. Daniel must have heard of Jeremiah’s prediction of the length of Jerusalem’s desolation Jeremiah had revealed that the city would lie in ruins for 70 years and then God would destroy Babylonia.

Daniel’s response to Jeremiah’s prophecy was to plead God for mercy. He fasted and confessed all the sins of God’s people and asked for forgiveness for the idolatry and disobedience. His prayer was full of the knowledge of the God he served very faithfully.

REFLECTION

• What lessons can we learn from Daniel’s response to the word of the Lord?