May 2024- ‘I’m Begging You For Mercy!’ (Daniel 9:1-27)

We had some friends from London called Trev and Val come and stay with us recently. They are an older couple who have spent much of their lives in full time pastoral ministry, have raised 4 kids and now have many grandkids. Over dinner one evening the conversation turned to the things that we’ve learnt throughout our lives about the Lord. As they honestly reflected on the mistakes that they’ve made during the course of their lives, their shortcomings as parents and their regrets as Christians they simply concluded that ‘the Lord’s just been so kind to us.’ The longer we go on in the Christian life we should be becoming more aware that our deep failings are overcome by God’s sweeter grace and mercy. He truly is so kind to us by not treating us as our sins deserve. 

Daniel is an old man when he pens Chapter 9. Notice the personal pronoun that is used (v.2). The year in which he writes is significant. ‘The first year of Darius’ (v.2) dates this chapter around 539 BC. Daniel is sharp enough to perceive by faith that the 70 years in exile in Babylon, as prophesied by Jeremiah, are drawing to a close. The bell for home time is about to ring for God’s people. As Daniel reflects on God’s faithfulness to his Word he is greatly moved. Here’s what this chapter tells us… 

Humility grows as we own yesterday’s mistakes… 

You can almost picture Daniel falling to his knees in prayer as he perceives God fulfilling his good promises. The key word that bookends his intercessory prayer is the word mercy (9:3 & 9:18). God’s mercy, not Israel’s merit, is the reason that they will soon return to their homeland. It is because he is the God who keeps covenant with steadfast love and faithfulness. Notice how Daniel 

corporately identifies himself with his people as demonstrated by his frequent use of the word we. He owns the fact they as a people have sinned (v.5,8 & 15), haven’t listened (v.6) and have rebelled again him (v.9). Daniel is almost interceding for his people as he implores God to be merciful in not treating them as they deserve. Humility grows as we own yesterday’s mistakes. 

Strength comes as we listen to tomorrow’s promises… 

God sends the angel Gabriel speedily to address Daniel’s prayer. It’s notable that Gabriel, before allowing Daniel to understand the meaning of the vision, affirms that he is greatly loved (v.23). The headline of what follows is that God’s ultimate plan for salvation is far grander than simply bringing his people back into the land after 70 years. That’s what the seventy weeks (v.24), literally seventy sevens, would seem to indicate. God is promising that he will act to make a way to finish transgression, put an end to sin, atone for iniquity, bring everlasting righteousness and anoint a most Holy place. So it looks like Daniel was being shown, in anticipatory form, the person and work of Christ. Truly Christ’s death on the cross for us atones for iniquity, finishes transgression and brings righteousness. Christ the anointed one who is cut off under Pontius Pilate (v.26). 

The reference to for one week, and for half of the week (v.27) most likely refers to the season between the two comings of Christ when the saints of the Most High are subject to persecution before Christ returns. Of course we recognise that these verses describe multiple fulfilments in human history and all integrative treatment must be done in humility. However, the main point seems clear. The reconciliation between God and man which will ultimately see the Lord bring his people into a greater home will be brought about over a long time. What the Lord is calling his people to is long term faithfulness and endurance based upon the unshakeable nature of his word. Strength comes as we listen to tomorrow’s promises. 

There’s a question that every parent dreads on a long car journey. The one that normally come from the back seat that simply says ‘are we there yet?’. It strikes me that the Lord could have, like the parent, said ‘no’ to his people at this point. You’re not home yet. And yet as confusing as the vision might seem it’s a wonderful testimony to the grace and concern that the Lord has for his people that he lets Daniel in on his future plans. Our sins are deep but truly his mercy is more