Daniel 9
As the Daytona race nears, it’s a reminder NASCAR remains one sport where you still have prayer before the event, even if those prayers are general and politically correct. A similar prayer frequently occurs before legislatures convene. But what if someone didn’t get the memo regarding politically correct content? You’d get Pastor Joe Wright[1].
Heavenly Father, we come before you to ask your forgiveness. We seek your direction and your guidance. We know your word says, “Woe to those who call evil good.” But that’s what we’ve done.
We’ve lost our spiritual equilibrium. We have inverted our values. We have ridiculed the absolute truth of your word in the name of moral pluralism. We have worshiped other gods and called it multiculturalism. We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle. We’ve exploited the poor and called it a lottery. We’ve neglected the needy and called it self-preservation. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. In the name of choice, we have killed our unborn. In the name of right to life, we have killed abortionists.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem. We have abused power and called it political savvy. We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it taxes. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, oh, God, and know our hearts today. Try us. Show us any wickedness within us. Cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of the State of Kansas, and that they have been ordained by you to govern this great state.
Grant them your wisdom to rule. May their decisions direct us to the center of your will. And, as we continue our prayer and as we come in out of the fog, give us clear minds to accomplish our goals as we begin this Legislature. For we pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Whoops. More than the legislature bargained for, to be sure. But compare Pastor Wright’s prayer with Daniel’s prayer in chapter nine, as they both deal with the sin of the people, they both name specific sins they’re guilty of, both use “we” and include themselves in the problem.
So we’ve evolved, right? Perhaps not so much — the prayers display similar characteristics as our society continues to deviate from God’s law, and the government moves more and more to censor God — Daniel 9 sounds like anything we could pray about our country (there’s a lesson in there somewhere).
Society continues to degrade. Robert Bork wrote a book entitled “Slouching toward Gomorrah” — we’re heading toward value relativism and moral relativism, as atheism becomes the official state religion (in opposition to the freedom of religion the country was founded on, but that’s another topic. It’s freedom to, not freedom from). Everybody does what is right in their own eyes, and tolerance doesn’t mean allowing everyone the freedom to worship what and how they want, tolerance means no absolutes exist, and anyone claiming so displays intolerance and should be silenced (Doublespeak at its best; Orwell would be proud).
Of course, the ultimate irony comes from the only remaining absolute — there are no absolutes, which makes as much sense as the Cretan saying “all Cretians are liars”[2]. No absolute moral authority exists; each person acts according to whatever works for their perception of morality. But value and moral relativism results in bizarre applications (again displaying how bankrupt the concept is), as a recent Texas court ruling makes obvious.
Texas law allows the killing of a fetus to be prosecuted as murder, regardless of the stage of development, but the laws do not apply to abortions, the states’ highest criminal court has ruled … The Texas court said abortion precedent was based on the premise that a woman wants the procedure.[3]
First situational ethics, now situational murder. The murder bases itself on the idea the woman wants to kill her baby. If she wants to kill her baby, it’s not murder (does that make sense?). If she doesn’t want to kill her baby, it’s murder. So if an automobile accident occurs on the way to the abortion clinic, it’s murder. But 10 minutes later when the “doctor” dismembers the baby and poisons it with saltwater, that isn’t murder because the woman wants to kill her baby. Huh? Value relativism at it’s best (or worst).
Society has de-evolved back to Judges as “everyone does what was right in their own eyes”. Sound familiar? We don’t want to restrict anybody from anything anymore. It’s not a baby, it’s a choice. Value relativism, situational ethics, and 1984-esqe redefinitions of words (George Orwell would be proud, if just a few years late on his predictions) — without God, anything is possible[4].
Many believe the hopelessness of the situation, yet Nineveh was 40 days from destruction — it’s possible to turn it around as God does perform miracles. I believe Billy Graham said if God doesn’t judge America for her sins, he’ll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah. As value relativism continues to seep across the country like a toxic waste spill, the country loses its moral compass, and the sense of right and wrong. If it feels good, do it.
But Christians focus on the wrong issue — the problem is not congress or president, it’s us — the politicians are our employees. We hired them, we can fire them; the solution will not come from protesting and waving signs.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV)
We will be held accountable as stewards; we hired the guys leading the county. If they be Godly men and men of integrity, it’s because the people demand it. If they be men without morals and choose to promote sin, it’s because the people allow it. The politicians aren’t the problem, they’re a symptom of the real problem — the attempt to exterminate God from all corners of society. And after the elimination of God, no absolutes remain and it’s a moral free for all; it’s back to the times of the Judges once again (read the book for yourself, and see what happens when a society becomes a moral free-for-all without the absolute standard of God’s Word).
A lot of Christians don’t want to be involved in political matters, yet it’s required of stewards to be faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2). Are you afraid to get involved in your child’s life (we hope not)? Then why be afraid of politics? Compare Daniel’s prayer to today as Daniel involved himself in politics, but not by carrying a sign or protesting (the solution isn’t to be found in PAC’s). What did he do? He took a stand, and supported biblical principles in government. Everything passed through the filter of God’s Word. If it passes the test, it’s acceptable, if not, it isn’t.
We’re not talking about waving signs and protesting or shouting vote for this guy or passing out voter education guides, but a simple idea: Find out what the candidates believe and support those holding biblical principles. We can all agree on that. It’s not supporting one political party over another, but supporting people who hold true to Biblical principles.
We will be held accountable for the stewardship of this country. If the government be Godly, it’s because the people demand it. If it slouches toward Gomorrah, it’s because the people tolerate it. You’re a steward of your vote; do some homework and exercise your stewardship wisely. Be like the sons of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.[5] It takes work and dedication, but your stewardship demands no less.
So now, from today’s situation back to Daniel (although it sounds the same).
In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. (Daniel 9:1-2 KJV)
Why are they in captivity in the first place? They ignored God’s law; nations ignore God’s law at their own peril. God may allow transgression for a period of time, but that does not mean He approves of it. At some point, judgment comes. For Israel, they ignored the Sabbath for the land and eventually God judged them for it.
Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the nations; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem. And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up early, and sending, because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place; But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy. … To fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths; for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfill threescore and ten years.(2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 21 KJV)
Just as the Sabbath week existed for man, a Sabbath year for the land existed as well. The land worked six years, and allowed to rest on the seventh. But Israel ignored it so long the Lord says the land must rest for its Sabbaths, and thus the captivity of which Daniel is a part begins.
But they had warning — God sent messengers which they ignored. Sound familiar? Today people mock and despise men of God as nobody wants to hear the warnings. But judgment will come. The longsuffering and patience of God allows time for repentance, but at some point enough is enough and judgment comes.
Daniel understands the fulfillment of Jeremiah in 25:11-12 & 29:10 draws near; about 67 years of the 70 years had passed as Daniel begins his prayer. Daniel took Jeremiah’s prophecy literally with no attempt to allegorize it. That’s an important concept when you get to Revelation — take it as it says. When it says one-third of the grass burns up it means just that. Revelation isn’t hard because we don’t understand it, but because we do and just don’t like what it says.
And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplication, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes (Daniel 9:3 KJV)
Daniel prays for what he knows will happen. It’s a short and not long-winded prayer, but covers several important points. First, he starts with the right attitude and humility. You can’t go to the God of the universe with arrogance and pride. But neither can you go with timidity and fear. As always, you need balance.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16 KJV)
But surely God doesn’t want to be bothered? What does Paul say?
Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Phil 4:6 KJV)
Yeah, but what does everything mean? It means the big stuff right? Au contraire.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:1-3 KJV)
All things were made by him and nothing was made without him; the same Greek appears in John as Paul used in Philippians. All means all — even the little stuff. God wants to hear from you. You’re not bugging God, all things means all things. You need balance (neither pride nor fear). Understand who you’re talking to, but don’t be afraid — he wants to hear from you in all things — and all means all, that’s all all means.
And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and awesome God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; (Daniel 9:4 KJV)
Note why he’s praying — he knows the captivity draws to a conclusion, but he doesn’t mention it yet, as he’s going to confess sin first. A misnomer exists about confessing sin — it’s not a catholic idea about going to a priest for absolution, it’s agreeing with God the sin exists.
He begins with a statement of who God is. Two errors must be avoided in your approach to God — too casual and too formal. He’s not the “man upstairs”, but neither should you be afraid of Him. It’s neither “yo God” nor “Thou O Lord”, and King James English doesn’t make your prayer heard faster. Consider examples of both errors with Moses.
- Exodus 3 — Moses and the burning bush as God says take off your shoes, you’re standing on holy ground. Approaching God with the proper attitude of respect and reverence.
- Exodus 20 — God gives Moses the ten commandments. The people (verse 18) are fearful and only want Moses to speak to them. That’s improper fear and timidity.
Again, balance. Satan wants to get you off to either side. He doesn’t believe anything except to get you away from the truth. Neither casual nor fear is correct. Approach God for everything with the proper respect, but don’t fail to include Him in all things.
We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thine ordinances: (Daniel 9:5 KJV)
Daniel states the facts; he doesn’t try to rationalize away the sin. Chuck Missler says never underestimate a human’s ability to rationalize, and once you understand that you’ll be amazed at how often you see it. Sin is sin. Period.
But Daniel includes himself — “we have sinned”. He gives specific examples (wickedness, rebellion, ignoring God’s law). All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The Greek in John 1:3, Philippians 4:6 and Romans 3:23 contains the same word. All means all, that’s all all means. Your situation isn’t different — sin is still sin. Don’t try and rationalize it.
Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spoke in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries to which thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee. (Daniel 9:6-7 KJV)
Not only did they fall away from the law, they ignored the people sent by God to warn them. Gee, does this begin to sound familiar? Wickedness, rebellion against God, ignoring His law, and refusing to heed the warning from men God sent. Has man evolved since Daniel’s time? It doesn’t appear so. The only thing man learns from history is man learns nothing from history — the same mistakes repeat again and again.
People don’t like to hear the truth, so they ignore it or rationalize it, or they find people who tell them what they want to hear. It’s normal to rationalize your situation — after all, it’s different (NOT!). Sin is sin, and we’re all guilty before God. But people turn away from the truth toward others who speak not the truth, but what they want to hear.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Timothy 4:3-4 KJV)
God’s rules apply to everyone, all the time, in every situation. You must speak the truth in love — not sandwich-board evangelism. If people reject it, fine; it’s not your job to be the Holy Spirit, only to give information. The responsibility for that knowledge falls on the individual person.
O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him; (Daniel 9:8-9 KJV)
It’s our fault, not the Twinkies[6]. It’s popular today to blame everyone else but the person responsible. It’s not your fault, you have a disease. But where is personal responsibility? To paraphrase for modern times, to us belongs shame, our President, our congress and our fathers have sinned against you.
Remember “the buck stops here”? Today it’s pass the buck. Nobody claims responsibility for anything (Chutzpah is murdering your parents and throwing yourself on the mercy of the court because you’re an orphan[7]). What does Daniel say — we have sinned against you. It’s our fault. We’re responsible. He’s been in captivity for decades, he could easily pass the buck (it’s not my fault we’re here, I was just a kid) — but doesn’t.
Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him. (Daniel 9:10-11 KJV)
God’s law is clear. Some things are just bad — don’t do them or promote them. Today it’s popular to say the Bible needs to change with society and doesn’t apply to modern life or certain situations. But if God exists, can’t He design a message for all generations and situations? I think so. The Bible doesn’t change. God’s law is God’s law. You don’t have to follow it if you don’t want, but you can’t change what God says.
As a nation, have we abandoned God’s law? Let the reader decide for themselves if the words of Daniel’s prayer apply equally today.
Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day; And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. (Deuteronomy 11:26-28 KJV)
God doesn’t force you into anything — it’s your choice, it’s our countries choice. But you say, we haven’t served other gods, have we? Perhaps not the idol, but the old pagan gods remain, waiting to ensnare you.
- Ashtoreth — Pleasure and sexuality. It’s good for me, and it doesn’t matter who gets hurt as long as my needs are met. Value relativism.
- Baal — Power. Look at any recent political race proves the popularity of Baal remains; people who still bow down to Baal fill the political arena.
- Mammon — Money. Wall Street overflows with people worshiping Mammon as greed runs rampant in our society. Nothing is ever enough.
- Molech — Practicality. Molech’s statue had arms outstretched and they built a fire in his belly until he glowed red-hot; if you sacrificed your first child Molech would honor your sacrifice and bless you. It was practical to sacrifice one to be blessed. But we don’t perform such hideous acts today — today we use salt water instead of fire and call it planned parenthood.
- Nebo — God of knowledge and wisdom. Take a walk on any college campus and you’ll still see this god bowed down to daily, even if the idol itself doesn’t exist.
The old pagan gods still exist today, perhaps not as statues, but they’re worshiped nonetheless. Just as Israel at times fell into idolatry, Christians must be careful as many still worship these ancient gods — just because an idol doesn’t exist doesn’t mean these gods aren’t still around. Society just wraps the old pagan worship in new terminology (like “dilate and extract”).
Through all this, Daniel still hasn’t got to his petition yet!
And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil; for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem. As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us; yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth. (Daniel 9:12-13 KJV)
God warned them, the nation ignored, and judgment came. Even after judgment they ignored God, an example of stiff-necked and refusing to yield no matter what. The same attitude exists in Revelation as the people there refuse to repent as well.
For our country, we’ve been warned, how long will God’s mercy last when we openly flaunt rebellion against God? When we turn our backs on Him? When the promotion of sin becomes top priority? How long? Nobody knows, but the relevance of Daniel’s prayer remains today.
Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us; for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth; for we obeyed not his voice. And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly. (Daniel 9:14-15 KJV)
Daniel admits they got what they deserved; the wages of sin is death. And since all sinned, all deserve death. No attempt to rationalize anywhere in Daniel’s prayer as Daniel speaks the truth, straight out.
Now, finally, the request. He’s acknowledged God and confessed his sin, so now he can petition God.
O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us. Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake. (Daniel 9:16-17 KJV)
Daniel doesn’t ask because Israel is good, but because the Lord is. Daniel knows they deserve the punishment for their sin, but wants mercy. Don’t pray for justice, but mercy.
O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name; for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. 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 9:18-19 KJV)
The deliverance does not come because of what they did, but because of God’s promises; the basis for the request isn’t on what he’s done, but on God’s character. Mercy is not getting what you deserve. In the case of sin, death. As a nation, destruction.
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; 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. (Daniel 9:20-21 KJV)
During the prayer an angel interrupts him about the time of the evening offering. Daniel has been in captivity for decades, yet measures time by temple sacrifices, which shows where his heart is. Character matters.
And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly beloved; therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. (Daniel 9:22-23 KJV)
Of course the famous seventy weeks of Daniel, which we’ve dealt with in a section by itself.
Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself; and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week; and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:24-27 KJV)
Daniel’s prayer for his country was a modern one. Does the idea in Judges of “everyone did what was right in their own eyes” sound familiar? We don’t want to restrict anybody from anything anymore. Value relativism, situational ethics, do whatever feels right for you — without God, anything is possible.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV)
That’s a description of Daniel 9. We will be held accountable as stewards, we hired the guys leading the county. If the country be Godly, it’s because the people demand it. If the actions be ungodly, it’s because the people allow it.
[1] January 1996 in Kansas. Different wordings of the actual text exist, although the basic concept remains the same.
[2] Titus 1:12
[3] http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/23/us/23texas.html
[4] Bill Ritchie
[5] 1 Chronicles 12:32
[6] The 1979 trial of Dan White, who murdered the San Francisco mayor and a supervisor. At trial, it was argued he was depressed and became more depressed due to high sugar intake of Twinkies and soda. The conviction of manslaughter instead of first-degree murder could be credited to the twinkie defense. And a legend was born.
[7] It’s likely a Chuck Missler quote, but any specific reference to the actual author is difficult to find.