Daniel 9:1-27; Prayers and Prophecy

Sermon in a sentence: God uses prayer and prophecy to speak to us.

Introduction

Fellowship of the Rings - Speak Friend and Enter

Gandalf missed the obvious thing he needed to do with the “riddle” staring him in the face.

Daniel’s Prayer (vs. 1-22)

Daniel prayed because of the prophetic word given Jeremiah. (Jer 25:1-14; 29:10) [see also 1 Kings 8:33-51 Solomon’s Dedication, Deut 30:1-10 Covenant Expulsion and Restoration]

Last week I pointed out that God really spoke through Daniel and other prophets! Here, we are again assured that God really did speak through the prophets (like Jeremiah)! Take heart and know that you can believe this book because it is from God!

Daniel prays because of what God spoke through the prophetic word of Jeremiah. God already said He would come back and visit his people. Daniel didn’t need to pray for God to keep His Word. But he responded rightly to God’s Word.

Daniel’s prayers were confessional and communal.

Daniel begins with confession of God’s Character then his own sin. (Model Prayer begins the same)

Even though Daniel was not personally responsible for the exile, he was part of the sin.

I am not talking about the racial divide in our nation. I am talking about the sins of abortion, pride, sexual deviancy, hatred, envy, back bitting, gossiping and all other sorts of wickedness that are rampant in our society!

God’s Prophecy (vs. 22-27)

This passage has been variously treated, and so distracted, and almost torn to pieces by the various opinions of interpreters, that it might be considered nearly useless on account of its obscurity. But, in the assurance that no prediction is really in vain, we may hope to understand this prophecy, provided only we are attentive and teachable according to the angel's admonition, and the Prophet's example. - John Calvin on Daniel 9:24-27

I have read Sam Storms, Mitchell Chase, Wendy Widder, Peter Gentry, Ian Duguid, Stephen Miller, James Montgomery Boice, and others. I say this not to act smart but to show how stupid I am. I need a lot of help. But I want to show you that I have done the work and am humble in my interpretation of the text.

God told Daniel that he would not only bring the people physically out of exile but spiritually to. (Dan 9:24)

More important than the dates and charts and chronologies, God told Daniel that he would provide a way to save his people from their sin through this Messiah!

70 Weeks (Matthew 24:15/Luke 21:20, Matthew 24:32)

7 weeks = Restoration of the Temple and Jerusalem

62 weeks = After the restoration to the arrival of Jesus

1 week = Jesus’ death and the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. (Matthew 24:15/Luke 21:20, Matthew 24:32)

Conclusion

There was a man stranded on his roof during a flood. He prayed and asked God to save him. A few minutes later, a row boat came by. The man in the row boat shouted to the man to get in. He said, “No, thank you. God will save me.” So the row boat continues along. Then a motorboat came by. “The fellow in the motorboat shouted, “Jump in, I can save you.” To this the stranded man said, “No thanks, I’m praying to God and he is going to save me. I have faith.” So the motorboat went on. Then a helicopter came by and the pilot shouted down, “Grab this rope and I will lift you to safety.”

To this the stranded man again replied, “No thanks, I’m praying to God and he is going to save me. I have faith.” So the helicopter reluctantly flew away. Soon the water rose above the rooftop and the man drowned. He went to Heaven. He finally got his chance to discuss this whole situation with God, at which point he exclaimed, “I had faith in you but you didn’t save me, you let me drown. I don’t understand why!” To this God replied, “I sent you a rowboat and a motorboat and a helicopter, what more did you expect?”

Application

Turn to Christ as the only propitiation for sin. The one prophesied by God the Father for the forgiveness of sins.

2. Pray this at least once a day this week: “God, you are the covenant keeping God! Forgive us of our personal sins and the sins of our nation. Give us this day our daily bread, Jesus Christ. Remind us of your Word. Let us walk in the power of his gospel. Use us to bring your kingdom to earth as it is in heaven. We pray, Jesus come quickly. Amen.”

Family Discussion Questions

What was the point of the text? The sermon?

How does that point me to Christ?

How am I going to apply that to my life?