Daniel 9:20-27 part 2

/

The content of God’s message to Daniel through Gabriel is much debated. I interpret the passage along traditional lines. The translation I use in this sermon is below.

Daniel 9:20-27:

20 While I was speaking and praying, 

confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and 

laying my plea before the LORD my God for his holy hill, 

21 while I was still speaking and praying, 

the man Gabriel, 

who I saw in the vision earlier, 

wearied and exhausted, 

reached me at the time of the evening sacrifice. 

22 He caused me to understand, saying to me, 

Daniel, 

I came now to cause you to gain insight and understanding. 

23 When you began your plea, 

a message went out, and 

I myself came to declare it to you, 

for you are special. 

Understand the message and understand the vision!

24 Seventy sevens are decreed concerning your people and your holy city, 

to finish transgression, 

to seal up sin, 

to atone for guilt, 

to bring eternal righteousness, 

to seal up vision and prophecy, and 

to anoint a holy of holies. 

25 Know and gain insight: 

from the sending out of the message to restore and rebuild Jerusalem 

until the anointed one, the ruler, 

there are seven sevens and sixty-two sevens. 

It will be rebuilt with squares and moat, but in troubled times. 

26 After the sixty-two sevens, the anointed one will be cut off, without anything. 

The city and the holy place will be destroyed by the army of the coming ruler. 

Its end, like a flood, and until the end, war; desolations have been determined! 

27 He will make a mighty covenant for the many for one seven. 

In the middle of that seven, he will make cease sacrifice and offering, and 

because of the extremity of abominations there will be one will bring desolation to 

complete destruction; what has been decreed will be poured out on what is desolate.”

Daniel 9:20-27 part 1

/

This passage relates a remarkable answer to prayer that contains a word from God that presents challenges for interpretation. Before considering that word, however, we will consider the unique personal message that Daniel himself receives. The translation I use in this sermon is below.

Daniel 9:20-27:

20 While I was speaking and praying, 

confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and 

laying my plea before the LORD my God for his holy hill, 

21 while I was still speaking and praying, 

the man Gabriel, 

who I saw in the vision earlier, 

wearied and exhausted, 

reached me at the time of the evening sacrifice. 

22 He caused me to understand, saying to me, 

Daniel, 

I came now to cause you to gain insight and understanding. 

23 When you began your plea, 

a message went out, and 

I myself came to declare it to you, 

for you are special. 

Understand the message and understand the vision!

24 Seventy sevens are decreed concerning your people and your holy city, 

to finish transgression, 

to seal up sin, 

to atone for guilt, 

to bring eternal righteousness, 

to seal up vision and prophecy, and 

to anoint a holy of holies. 

25 Know and gain insight: 

from the sending out of the message to restore and rebuild Jerusalem 

until the anointed one, the ruler, 

there are seven sevens and sixty-two sevens. 

It will be rebuilt with squares and moat, but in troubled times. 

26 After the sixty-two sevens, the anointed one will be cut off, without anything. 

The city and the holy place will be destroyed by the army of the coming ruler. 

Its end, like a flood, and until the end, war; desolations have been determined! 

27 He will make a mighty covenant for the many for one seven. 

In the middle of that seven, he will make cease sacrifice and offering, and 

because of the extremity of abominations there will be one will bring desolation to 

complete destruction; what has been decreed will be poured out on what is desolate.”

Daniel 2:25-49

/

This passage presents the first of several dreams and visions in the book of Daniel. Like Joseph before him, Daniel is a believer who interprets the dream of a pagan ruler. There are several similarities to be seen between Joseph and Daniel, not only in their circumstances, but in their characters. We also see in both narratives an emphasis on the sovereignty of God.

Daniel 1, part two

/

The opening narrative sets out the major theme for the book of Daniel: the sovereignty of God. It is this truth that forms the center point of the faith and world view of four Hebrew teenagers who must determine how to live in an alien culture. Followers of Christ today need the same center point for our faith and world view, so the book of Daniel has much to teach us.