I. Introduction: Daniel 9 is a powerful chapter that reveals the heart of God towards his people. It speaks of repentance, forgiveness, restoration, and the future events of the coming of Christ and the abomination of desolation. Daniel 9 begins with Daniel praying for the people of Israel who are in captivity in Babylon. He confesses their sins and pleads for God’s mercy, and the chapter ends with the famous prophecy of the seventy weeks, which outlines the timeline for the coming of the Messiah. We can look at this chapter 9 verse by verse and try to understand what God is telling us through it. This chapter is very relevant to our world today, in that it speaks of the abomination of desolation, an event Jesus talks about Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14 and Luke 21:20, as a sign that takes place in the last days.
II. Daniel 9:1-3 – Daniel begins to fast and pray
In these verses, Daniel sets the stage for his prayer by mentioning the time in history that he begins to pray. He points out that is is the first year of Darius the Mede, which places the events in the year 539 BC. Daniel also mentions the prophecy of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:11-12) which foretold the seventy years of captivity for the Israelites. Daniel’s response to this prophecy is to seek the Lord in prayer and fasting, wearing sackcloth and ashes as a sign of humility and repentance before the Lord.
III. Daniel 9:4-19 – Daniel prays for God’s mercy
Daniel’s prayer is a heartfelt confession of the sins of the people of Israel. He acknowledges that they have been unfaithful to God’s covenant and have not obeyed his commands (Leviticus 26:14-16). Daniel pleads for God’s mercy, not because the people deserve it, but because of God’s great love and faithfulness (Psalm 86:5). He appeals to God’s reputation of keeping promises, asking that he would restore Jerusalem and the temple for the sake of his own name.
IV. Daniel 9:20-23 – Gabriel tells Daniel his prayer is heard
While Daniel is still praying, the angel Gabriel appears to him with a message from God. Gabriel tells Daniel that he is highly esteemed by God and that his prayer has been heard. Gabriel’s appearance is important in this instance because it shows that God is attentive to the prayers of his people and is ready to respond (Psalm 34:15).
V. Daniel 9:24-27 – Gabriel reveals meaning of prophecy
Gabriel reveals to Daniel the prophecy of the seventy weeks, which outlines the timeline for the coming of the Messiah. The seventy weeks are divided into three periods: seven weeks, sixty-two weeks, and one week. The prophecy foretells the rebuilding of Jerusalem, the coming of the Anointed One, and the ultimate destruction of the city and the sanctuary (happened in 70 ad), and a flood (their end will be in or like a flood) in Jerusalem. The prophecy also speaks of a covenant that will be confirmed for one week by the antichrist and the abomination that causes desolation (Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14).
This is a translation of Daniel 9:25-26 from the original Hebrew text.
25 And after the sixty-two weeks, the Messiah will be known and there will be no more for him, and the city and the sanctuary will be destroyed by the people of the next speaker, and their end will be in a flood until the end of a decisive war, desolation.
26 And he made a covenant for many, that one week and half of the week would be a sabbath, a sacrifice and an offering, and on the wing of desolate shoots, until the bride and the bridegroom shall tread on the desert.
VI. Conclusion: Daniel 9 speaks to the heart of God’s relationship with his people, and what must happen in the last times. It shows us that God is attentive to our prayers and is ready to forgive and restore us when we repent. The prophecy of the seventy weeks gives us hope for the coming of the Messiah and the ultimate victory and redemption of God’s faithful people. As we study this chapter, we can find encouragement knowing we will be victorious in the end, so we should seek the Lord with all our hearts, knowing that he is faithful to his promises and will fulfill his purposes in our lives.
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