DANIEL SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 9.20

Gleanings from the Book of Daniel:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

DANIEL

Chapter Nine

The Prayer of Daniel

The Prophecy of Seventy Weeks

 

 

Preface

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16b).

 

In the foregoing study, the aged prophet Daniel was fervently praying to God for the restoration and redemption of Israel. His petition incumbent upon three major areas:

1. God’s holy mountain, the city of Jerusalem (v.16, 18)

2. God’s sanctuary, the Temple (v. 17)

3. God’s people, the nation Israel (v. 19)

 

 

1. The Occasion of the Vision (Vv. 1-2)

2. The Prayer of Daniel (Vv. 3-19)

3. The Appearance of Gabriel (Vv. 20-23)

(Verse 20)

 

And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God.

 

In this passage, Daniel is observed engaged in five matters:

1. He was speaking to God

2. He was praying to God

3. He was confessing his sins to God

4. He was confessing Israel’s sins to God

5. He was presenting his supplication before God

 

 

(Verse 21)

 

Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

 

Gabriel Appears to Daniel

Amazingly, whilst Daniel was engrossed in prayer, he was interrupted by God’s special messenger. Gabriel presented Daniel with a special revelatory answer even before he concluded his prayer. Two similar occurrences are noted:

1. While Abraham’s servant, probably Eliezer of Damascus, was praying by the well of Nahor for a wife for Isaac, Rebekah, Abraham’s great-niece, and Isaac’s second cousin, arrived at the well before he finished praying (cf. Genesis 24:15)

 

2. While Rhoda, the maidservant of Mary, John Mark's mother, was at the home church of Mary praying for Peter's escape from prison, she answered a knock at the door during the prayer vigil for the Apostle, and behold it was Peter (see account in Acts 12:1-19).  

 

Usually, there is an interval between prayer and its answer. But in Isaiah, God set a precedent for answering prayer simultaneously, especially in the new Jerusalem. He will hear in their hearts and satisfy their needs:

Isaiah 65:24 - And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

 

Even the man Gabriel

Gabriel is introduced as a mortal being. Oftentimes when angels appear in Scripture, they do so in the form of human likeness. So here, he appeared in the image of a man as Gabriel had done so previously:

Daniel 8:15b - …then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.

 

Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning

Gabriel previously revealed himself to Daniel about 13 years at the beginning of his ram and he-goat vision (cf. 8:15-19).

 

Gabriel…being caused to fly swiftly

In the Hebrew construction, the phrase being caused to fly swiftly is rather complex. Another translation renders, came to me in my extreme weariness (NASB). Either way, the emphasis is on urgency. Because of Daniel’s emotional state, God dispatched Gabriel to arrive at an opportune time.

 

Gabriel…touched me

Daniel is touched by an angel five times in the book. The clause touched me may also be construed as Gabriel came, was approaching, lay a hand upon, or reached.

 

Notice the repetition:

1. Daniel 8:18 – Now, as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep with my face to the ground; but he touched me, and stood me upright.

 

2. Daniel 10:10 – Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands.

 

3. Daniel 10:16a – …And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake. 

 

4. Daniel 10:18 - Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me.

 

Gabriel…touched me about the time of the evening oblation

The Evening Prayer

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice.

(Psalm 55:1, a prayer of David)

 

Although not required by the Law of Moses, observance of prayer and sacrificial times mirrored the daily rituals of the Temple. As discussed earlier, Daniel was seen praying three times daily (cf. Daniel 6:10):

1. The third hour: 9 AM - A time of adoration

2. The sixth hour: 3 PM - A time of thanksgiving

3. The ninth hour: 6 PM - A time of supplication

 

Gabriel approached Daniel toward the close of the day. Thus, the evening oblation (a bloodless meat offering) was near sunset, the ninth hour. This practice would ultimately harbinger the Lamb of God being slain for the sins of the world (cf. Mark 15:33-38).

 

Gabriel

Gabriel’s name means strong man of God. He is one of three angels mentioned by name in the Bible (see further Daniel Simplified 8:15). The other two are Michael (cf. Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1: Jude 1:9; Revelation 14:12; see further Revelation Simplified 12.7) and Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12; see further Revelation Simplified 12.9).

 

 

(Verse 22)

 

And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.

 

The Reason for His Coming

Gabriel informed Daniel as to the purpose of his supernatural visitation, i.e., to impart skillful wisdom and insight into the prophecy. This truth would unveil the timetable of God’s divine plan for the future.

 

 

(Verse 23)

 

At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

 

Gabriel then explains to Daniel that at the beginning of his prayers, a declaration was issued from the throne of God. Essentially, it went forth for Gabriel to show Daniel the comprehensive meaning of the vision.

 

For thou art greatly beloved

Since Chapter 1, not only was Daniel found skilled in knowledge and wisdom (1:4), but he was faithful to God and His statutes (1:8) and remained that way (6:10) throughout his life in captivity. So, Gabriel articulates to Daniel why he was specifically chosen.

 

God loves all His children. However, it is a high distinction for a mortal to be identified as being loved by God. Gabriel encourages Daniel by telling him he was highly esteemed, desirable, or counted precious by God.

 

Daniel thus reiterates this honour two other times in his book:

Daniel 10:11 – And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.

 

Daniel 10:19 - And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

 

Several personalities receive special admiration in the Bible. By way of comparison, some may include:

1. Abraham. He was called a friend of God.

James 2:23 - And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

 

2. Enoch. He was known as a person who pleased God.

Hebrews 11:5 - By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

 

3. David. He was called a man after God’s own heart.

Acts 13:22 -  And when He had removed him (Saul), He raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after Mine own heart, which shall fulfill all My will.

 

4. Jedidiah. He was known as beloved of the Lord or the Lord’s beloved.

2 Samuel 12:25 - And He sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.

 

5. Mary. Mary was a woman favoured and blessed among women.

Luke 1:28 - And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

 

6. John the Baptist. In Scripture, John the Baptist maintains one of the highest honors in the eyes of God.

Matthew 11:11 - Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater [man] than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.

 

7. John the Apostle. He is esteemed six times in John’s Gospel.

John 13:23 - Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.

 

8. Jesus. In His farewell prayer, Jesus alludes to His relationship with the Father [see also John 17:23, 26]:

John 17:24 - Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me: for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world.

 

Therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision

Because of his intimate relationship with God, Gabriel advises Daniel to consider and pay attention to what he is about to receive so that he fully understands the meaning of the prophetic revelation. 

 

 

The promise of a coming Messiah, the ultimate restoration of Israel, and the establishment of a millennial Kingdom on earth will be explicated by a seventy-week prophetic timetable. Next…

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1. What was the essence of Daniel’s prayer?

2. What happened while Daniel was praying?

3. When did the angel appear to Daniel?

4. At what hour?

5. When was Daniel’s first encounter with the angel?

6. How did God feel about Daniel?

7. What was the purpose of Gabriel's appearance?

 

 

If this study was a blessing to you, make it a blessing to others.

SAVE AND FORWARD THIS LINK

http://breadoflifeministriesassoc.blogspot.com/