7-19-10, DANIEL 10

DANIEL 10

Chapter 10 finds us in the “3rd year of Cyrus”, somewhere near 535 B.C.. Considering the exile began with the siege of Jerusalem in 605 B.C., the 70-year period is now at its end. Daniel is perhaps 85 years old now, and due to his high position, is still in Babylon, even if most others have returned to restore the land of Israel. Interestingly, Isaiah 44:28, hundreds of years before, prophesied that Cyrus would issue a decree for Israel to return to the land. This is one possible trigger for the clock to start ticking on the 70 weeks from chapter 9, by the way.

Daniel has a troubling vision, and he fasts and otherwise prepares himself spiritually in prayer to ask for help in deciphering this vision. Here, three weeks is literally three 7-day periods, based simply on the context and word used for “week”.

The image he sees is suggestive of a holy person, that of a king or judge. Daniel has on multiple occasions seen Gabriel, so his fear here in this passage seems to indicate that this might be a person of more significance than a powerful angel. So who is it that appears to him? Likely Christ. This is what we would call a Christophany, or a Theophany, an appearance of Christ as opposed to sending an angel (messenger). Think of Moses and the burning bush, Jacob wrestling, as other examples. The OT followers of God would not have understood the second person of the Trinity, but nevertheless they seem to recognize when they are in the very presence of God. Such is the case with Daniel here.

Others did not see the vision, but fled in fear, feeling the presence of God. And an angel comes to help with the understanding, delivering the message from the holy one Daniel has just seen. And the angel calls Daniel “highly esteemed”. Nice complement from God!

Daniel is now prostrate, and an angel does come to him to help him up; this is likely Gabriel again. Interesting that the angel began to come to Daniel’s aid when he had first started his search for understanding. Gabriel was met by the “prince of Persia” and detained, and had Michael, the archangel, come to his assistance. This prince of Persia was likely an angel as well, albeit one on Satan’s side, a fallen angel of God. He apparently was intent of keeping Gabriel from getting to Daniel, and the struggle lasted 21 days in human terms. Even after Michael comes to help, and Gabriel finishes with Daniel, Gabriel has to return to fight this demon further. We know this “prince of Persia” was no human prince, as one angel would have no trouble with one human, or even an army of them.

So from this, quickly, we see that angels are real. There are good and evil angels. These angels can and do influence human affairs, even inspiring leaders, as perhaps this evil one did with the leaders of Persia.

Prophetically, the angel tells Daniel that other princes are to come. Persia now, and namely one of Greece later. This was to occur in the near future to Daniel and the people of his time. Historically, we know that Greece did conquer Persia shortly after this time.

Underlying all these events is Israel, by now they are returning to their land, God is in control, and God has shown them even in a time of exile, how He loves and cares for His people, even if that means judging and discipline.

SO WHAT…?

So I have examples all around me to show me God is in control, if I will simply open my eyes, mind, and heart to them.

So I personally cherish how Daniel responds to God and His presence. God is worthy of our proper fear and humility.

So, prayer never diminishes as one of the priorities for Daniel in his life. What an example he is for me.