Daniel 9 (2)

Introduction
In his prayer to the Lord, Daniel took upon himself the sins of the people of Israel. We know Daniel, and we have seen how upright and forthright he is. Yet here we find him including himself in the “we” who have provoked God to wrath and judgment. We too, should ask, “Is it I, Lord?”

Meditate on Psalm 139.23, 24.

Read Daniel 9.4-8.

Think it Through
1.  In Psalm 139, unlike Psalm 51, David does not seem to have been aware of any particular sin in his life. However, he called upon the Lord, Who knew him thoroughly, to search him and show him if he was harboring any sins. Daniel, like David and all the rest of us, was a sinner – even though he was farther along in his sanctification than most of us ever will be. He readily confessed himself to be among those against whom the wrath and judgment of God had been revealed by the captivity in Babylon (notice the multiplied uses of “we” and “us” in the passage). Why? Daniel took upon himself the sins of Israel, and in this he points us forward to the work of our Lord Jesus Christ. Explain.

2.  How many different ways did Daniel describe or refer to the Lord in these verses? What does each of these terms or ideas mean? Of what did he say he and Israel were guilty before the Lord? Are God’s people today ever guilty of any of these offenses? Has God ceased judging such transgressions? Explain.

Meditate
“Godly people, after all, are accustomed to apply divine names on the basis of benefits conferred. He spoke of his “keeping covenant and mercy with those who love him” in recalling the promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Being very precise in his prayer, he mentions that he does not keep it with anyone but with “those who love him and keep his commandments;” if someone transgresses your commands, he renders himself unworthy of the promises.” Theodoret of Cyr (393-466 AD)

For the time has comefor judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it beginswith us first, what will bethe end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4.17

Search me, O Lord, now and every day, to make sure that…

Pray Psalm 126.4-6.
The presence of sin in our lives should lead us to tears of repentance. Wait on the Lord in prayer, asking Him to search your soul.

Psalm 126.4-6 (Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns! )
Restore our fortunes, Lord our King!
Let grace like flowing streams prevail.
All they with tears of joy shall sing
Who sow while yet they weep and wail.

They who in tears of sorrow sow
And cast their seed on every hand,
With joy shall reach their heav’nly home,
And bring the harvest of their land.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.