Lesson 23D Daniels Prayer continues, Daniel 9:8 - 19

Daniel Lists the Sins of Israel. Daniel 9:8- 12

The New King James Version Chapter 9

8 “O Lord, to us belongs shame of face, to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him. 10 We have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets. 11 Yes, all Israel has transgressed Your law, and has departed so as not to obey Your voice; therefore the curse and the oath written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against Him. 12 And He has confirmed His words, which He spoke against us and against our judges who judged us, by bringing upon us a great disaster; for under the whole heaven such has never been done as what has been done to Jerusale

Jerusalem lies in a rubble as it has been for 70 years. God did not annihilate Israel off the face of the earth, He has confirmed His word that He would treat them this way if they walked away from Him and walked with other gods. Daniel proclaims and confesses that the kings, princes and fathers of Israel have sinned against the Lord their God. Daniel says shame on us. God is full of mercy and forgiveness, yet they still rebelled. Israel and it’s leaders have not obeyed His voice. They transgressed the law of the Lord. The curse and the oath written in the law of Moses has been poured out on them, because of that sin. Their turning from God has been recorded in history. Other kings have ruled over them, meddled in their affairs, and lived upon the spoils that the Jewish people walked away from.

Desolation is a harsh word. But Daniel is pointing out that the desolation, the captivity in strange lands, and the desecration of their temple of worship could have been worse. Daniel has no doubt born his fair share of judgment as an Israelite. He identifies and includes himself with this prayer of repentance when he says “we have sinned.” The sworn oath that Daniel refers to in verse 11 is a contractual promise made between God and Abraham, Moses and others. So, Daniel prays as if his prayer is being depended on by the whole portion of Jews who are displaced and disgraced. This is nothing short of disaster for the nation but the prayer of repentance means there is hope!

How far does God extend His grace to a lost and dying world or an unrepentant family? Here is what one commentary offered:

Daniel B. Affirmation in Prayer (9:7–14)

Daniel expressed no surprise that the conditional covenant has been broken and the appropriate punishment applied. He was fully aware of the record of

As it is Written 9:13- 15

The New King James Version Chapter 9

1

We really can see the process of Daniel using the contrast of the love and forgiveness of God to the unrepentant captives. Is Daniel the only one left who cares? I’m sure there are others as the prophet uses his position of leadership to take the reigns of the chariot of repentance and he drives it straight into the presence of God’s revelation of the coming days. Things may be bad now. They really are going to get worse. But with God there is still hope. Can we not see that in the process of judgment and destruction of Jerusalem God is confirming His Word to His prophet and His people. They have not been left stranded. He has only been a prayer away. Daniel says, “though we have not made our prayer, we might turn from our iniquities and understand your truth!”( vs.13.)

The disaster at hand is the explanation for the unrepentant nation (Vs.14). Moses and his contract with God is in full force (vs.13) The punishment is so that Israel might return. God "confirming His covenant,” and His loving hand is stretched out beckoning them to return to Him as well. God is righteous, but we have not obeyed His voice.( Vs.14.) And now it is time for God to work, Daniel is thinking. If God can bring the Jewish people out of Egypt with a mighty hand, He can still make Himself a mighty name in the sight of the nations. Verse 15 ends with the proclamation, “ We have sinned, and we have done wickedly.” Things do not look good at the moment, but we are going to find, Daniel has “well said.” New Revelation is right around the corner.

Daniels contemporary prophet, Isaiah wrote about the hand of judgment as the very thing God was judging them with and then wooing them back: “Therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled against His people, and He hath stretched forth his hand against them, and smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still.” Is. 5:25

Here’s what is next in prayer!

“The People Who are Called by Your Name!” Daniel 9:16- 19

The New King James Version Chapter 9

16

God’s people should be very concerned about forsaking the God who loves them and brings His mercy into focus in their lives. Daniel is pleading with God in all of His righteousness to turn his anger and fury away from His city of Jerusalem; His holy mountain(vs.16.) It’s a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a mighty God. Because of sins, iniquities, and the reproach it has brought with them has also fallen on their neighbors. Daniel still pleads as he asks the Lord God to hear his prayer, supplications (asking for favor), and for His face to shine towards the desolate sanctuary.(vs.17) Verse 18 is the repeat of that thought as he asks God to hear and see what has happened to the city called by his name. Daniel says basically we are hear because we need a miracle! (vs.18)

Last verse before His prayer is interrupted by God, verse 19

He again asks the Lord to 1.) Hear 2.) Forgive 3.) Listen and act! 4.) Do not delay for your own sake. It’s personalized as Daniel says “For your own sake, my God, for your city and your people who are called by Your name.” (vs.19) This is not the only time we have seen this kind of proclamation concerning Israel. God told king Solomon this very thing in a night visitation concerning the Temple in Jerusalem: II Chronicles 7:14 “ If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” The very thing that the Lord wanted to hear in terms of repentance, prayer and supplication, has basically been prayed by Daniel. What happens next is the prophecy of the 70 weeks, forever changing the landscape of the future for this nation of Israel and ever nation since. Glory be to God for the person who is willing to say these things. Lord Here we are. Help us to pray.