Sunday: The Centrality of God’s Word
Read Daniel 9:1-2. Daniel says that he “understood by books” the prophecy he is studying so carefully. What book or books of the Bible does he mean?
As we look into this prayer, it becomes clear that it arises from an in-depth study of God’s previous revelation to Moses and the prophets. Having learned from Jeremiah’s scroll that his period of captivity will last seventy years (see Jer. 25:11-12; Jer. 29:10), Daniel understands the importance of the historical moment in which he is living.
Image © Michael Agliolo at Goodsalt.com
Let us bear in mind that Daniel offers this prayer in 539 B.C., the year that the Persian Empire replaces Babylon. So almost seventy years have elapsed since Nebuchadnezzar has conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the temple. Therefore, according to the prophecy of Jeremiah, God’s people will soon return to their homeland. Trusting the Word of God, Daniel knows that something momentous is about to happen to his people and that, just as God promises in His Word, the exile in Babylon shall soon end and the Jews will return to their home.
From his study of the Scriptures available to him, Daniel also realizes how serious the sins of his people are. Because they have broken the covenant, they have severed their relationship with God; the inevitable consequence is, therefore, the exile (Lev. 26:14-45). Thus, it is the study of God’s revelation that provides Daniel with an understanding of the times and that gives him a sense of urgency to plead with God on behalf of the people.
As we approach the last days of earth’s history, we need more than ever to study and live according to God’s Word. Only Scripture can provide us with an authoritative explanation of the world we live in. After all, Scripture tells the story of the great controversy between good and evil, and thus reveals that human history will close with the obliteration of evil and the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom. The more we study the Scriptures, the better we can understand the contemporary situation of the world and our place in it, as well as our reasons for hope amid a world that offers none.
| How does the Bible help us understand to some degree a world that, in and of itself, can so easily seem to make no sense at all? |
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I have no problem with the notion that we should read the Bible more to understand it. However, there is an issue that is particularly relevant in today's society. We are coming to rely more and more on media personalities to do the reading and offer their interpretation for us. I am frequently admonished to view this person or that person on Youtube or similar, and while some of the presentations are really quite good, the danger is that we rely on their interpretation rather than doing the study ourselves. Here is the issue: A presenter does a really good presentation on a topic that he/she is an expert on and we find it helpful. Then they present something on which they know very little but because it is a good presentation and you have already been conditioned to listen to them you absorb it when really it is quite wrong. It would be a bit like me doing a good presentation on transaction theory (which I know a lot about) and then doing a talk on the biology of mosquitos (about which the only thing I know is that the females are the ones that bite us.)
Paul's comment, which I used recently in this blog, is very appropriate.
There is a related issue that I should mention. When dealing with prophecy we should take the time to read history related to the prophecy. One of the issues that I am finding is that there is a tendency for us to "cherry-pick" history to get the bits that fit our current interpretation of prophecy.
Here is an example, that I have also referred to before. We tend to think of the Papacy as persecuting the true believers, and that through the dark ages the main thrust of the persecution were those who followed God. The reality is that the Papacy used persecution as a control tool against everyone. Jews, Muslims, heretics, and in many cases even other Catholics. That changes the picture a bit and it is useful for us to be aware of that.
Of course, it goes without saying that we should ask the Holy Spirit to guide us, but remember that the Holy Spirit may surprise us as to where it leads us. It does not always reinforce our preconceived ideas.
Lucifer uses everyone in the great controversy. I believe other religions and groups of people are just decoys of lucifer to take our eyes of of his main tool to destroy the work Jesus came to do in this world. Namely to restore our personal communication with our Father. The atonement. The main tool of lucifer to destroy people is the Roman Catholic Church. The other groups Lucifer initiated as part of a huge construction to achieve his goal to finally replace Jesus and receive the worship he so much desires. This is his part in the great controversy.
Remember that lucifer uses all people. In essence he has no friends. Although he can deceive us to the point that we think he is our friend. Not even the Pope is his friend. We should pray for everyone, all of us. Lucifer has no friends. Our Father and His Son Jesus in heaven want to be our father and friend. They are so good. All glory and honour and friendship to them.
I find it interesting that Daniel studied the writings he had available. He understood the vision of chapter 7, however he did not understand the vision of chapter 8 so he put it aside basically, but didn't lose trust and faith in the LORD.
I have used this in my walk with the LORD, continually study the Word, ask for guidance. If there are sections that are not completely clear to me, put them aside for the time being until the LORD sends the answer through one of the many ways He reveals His messages Hebrews 1.
I hold fast to the most important messages of the Word which are clear.
What is clear so far in these visions?
1) the LORD and His people will have dominion and an eternal world wide kingdom the others will not last
2) there will be a power that will be deceitful, a counterfeit taking the place of the true Prince, so watch out.
3) Daniel's people as a group were in exile because they had broken their covenant with the LORD, His promise of a return to His City was conditional on the restoration of their relationship with Him.
Why would I think that the Bible presents only part of the truth? When I do not understand what is written in the Scriptures, with more study, reflections and prayer I can. There is also so much literature on specific and sometimes difficult topics that can help us too. The rule is, let the Scriptures explain themselves! In the Bible we find the base we need to understand this world's history!
Have a slight concern with this lesson. The implications about the time of Daniel's prayer. Lesson indicates the 70 year prophecy has not yet been fulfilled. In reality it had been fulfilled.
“11 And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. 12 And it shall come to pass, WHEN seventy years ARE accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.” (Jeremiah 25:11-12)
“For thus saith the LORD, That AFTER seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.” (Jeremiah 29:10)
Let us bear in mind that Daniel offers this prayer in 539 B.C., the year that the Persian Empire replaces Babylon. So almost (should read "now that the") seventy years have elapsed ("have been accomplished") since Nebuchadnezzar has conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the temple. Therefore, according to the prophecy of Jeremiah, God’s people will soon return to their homeland. Trusting the Word of God, Daniel knows that something momentous is about to happen to his people and that, just as God promises in His Word, the exile in Babylon shall soon end and the Jews will return to their home.
And for me, the question i have is, what exactly was the point of Daniel's prayer? See, he has read Jeremiah's prophecy and understood that 70 years is over and God would definitely bring the content of Jeremiah's prophecy to pass. Is his prayer a sign of doubts in his heart that peradventure God would not honour his promises at the end of 70 years? Or it is just some sign of how embarrassed he feels about his father's sins that led to the captivity?
Well, that's an interesting question Pascal.
And I ask this to you. Why ask God for His forgiveness if you knew He would forgive you even before you sinned (because HE said/prophesied He would)? Just because we know that God is bringing a blessing after we have suffered for sin, does this gives us reason to not ask forgiveness of the sin we committed?
His prayer shows true humility and that he doesn't take God's blessing for granted and he knows that he or his people does not deserve them either.
This is how I am seeing his prayer, hope this sheds some light for you.
I would point to Evelyn Dykes response. Daniel indeed knew about Jeremiah's prophecy. Throughout his prayer is is pleading with God, for HIS name sake to do what He said He would do! His concern was obviously the prophetic time of 2300 days/years! The Hebrew word dealing with THAT part of the prophecies was/is מַרְאֶה mar'eh. (see Daniel 8:26-27) The other Hebrew word was H2377 חָזוֹן châzôn which was for the entire vision from the beginning of Babylon to the end of Rome!! Which Gabriel responds to Daniel's prayer in chapter 9 he comes to give him information about the mar'eh - the 2300 days/year prophecy! Daniel 9:23!!!
Yes Daniel was concerned that God had changed His mind which is why he pleaded "defer not!"
I think it’s fair to say that the vision in Daniel Chapter 8 was too much for him because he thought that there was going to be an extension on the 70 years. I think (just my opinion) he thought the number of years would be 2300 instead of the 70 years.
“O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.”
Daniel 9:19 KJV
Daniel was asking the Lord not to defer which means not to delay or postpone. I think this was the reason Daniel was interceding for Israel. Blessings!