May 11, 2025

Daniel 9:1–5:
In the first year of Darius (Dare-ee-us) the son of Ahasuerus (Ah-haz-you-ee-rus), of the seed of the Medes (Meeds), which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans (Kal-dee-ans); 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. And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:

VERSE CONTEXT

These five verses open one of the most extraordinary prayers of repentance found in the Old Testament. Daniel, now likely in his eighties, is living in the Persian empire during the reign of Darius the Mede, and is shown here responding directly to his reading of Jeremiah’s prophecy. Specifically, Jeremiah 25:11–12 and 29:10 speak of seventy years of desolation upon Jerusalem due to Israel’s unfaithfulness. Daniel understands that the prophesied time of exile is nearing its end and, instead of presuming on God’s mercy, he humbles himself in deep intercessory prayer for the nation.

The passage begins by anchoring this prayer within a historical transition: the fall of Babylon and the rise of Medo-Persian rule under Darius (Dare-ee-us), possibly a title for a governor under Cyrus. This moment in history is significant because it means the Babylonian empire—long used by God as a tool of judgment, has fallen, just as Jeremiah had prophesied. But Daniel does not view this political change as sufficient for Israel’s restoration. Instead, he sees repentance as essential.

Verse 2 reveals Daniel’s devout commitment to Scripture. He is not receiving a new vision at this point but studying the already given word of God. This is a crucial insight into prophetic humility: Daniel submits to Scripture. He does not claim new revelations until first conforming himself to the revealed Word. The term “books” likely refers to a collection of prophetic writings or scrolls, especially Jeremiah’s. Daniel believes God’s word literally, seventy years means seventy years. But he also understands that prophecy demands response, not passive observation.

In verse 3, Daniel’s response is deeply emotional and spiritual. The phrases “set my face” and “to seek by prayer and supplications” indicate fixed determination. Fasting, sackcloth, and ashes symbolize deep mourning and total humility before God. Daniel, a righteous man, intercedes as if he were among the chief sinners, identifying with the guilt of the people. This is a model of Christlike intercession—taking the sins of others upon oneself in prayer.

His confession in verses 4 and 5 is reverent and unflinching. He begins by acknowledging God’s greatness and His covenantal mercy toward those who love and obey Him. Then he plainly admits the nation’s guilt: sin, iniquity, wickedness, rebellion, and disobedience. Each of these terms carries a deep theological weight. “Sinned” implies falling short. “Committed iniquity” carries the sense of intentional moral distortion. “Done wickedly” and “rebelled” suggest willful defiance, and “departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments” highlights the covenantal breach.

Daniel is not blaming Babylon or the exile. He is owning the fault completely. This sets the stage for the remainder of the prayer, which continues to confess Israel’s corporate guilt in vivid terms. But already in these first five verses, we are given a powerful example of spiritual leadership: a man who holds God’s Word in reverence, prays with humility, identifies with the sins of his people, and seeks mercy not based on merit, but on the character of God Himself.

BROADER CONTEXT

Daniel 9 is a pivotal chapter that combines deep prophetic insight with profound personal repentance. It is unique in the book of Daniel because it is not a vision, but a recorded prayer—Daniel’s heartfelt response to understanding that the seventy-year exile prophesied by Jeremiah was nearing its end. The broader context explains not only why Daniel is praying but also what theological themes are at work in this passage and what follows in the latter half of the chapter.

The chapter begins with Daniel recognizing the timing of the exile based on the words of Jeremiah. Jeremiah 25:11–12 says: “And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon…” Likewise, Jeremiah 29:10 promises: “For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.” These are the very texts Daniel refers to when he says in Daniel 9:2 that he “understood by books the number of the years.”

But Daniel’s approach is deeply spiritual. He does not treat prophecy as a passive countdown clock. Instead, he sees it as a divine call to repentance. This echoes the conditional element often present in prophetic words—God promises restoration, but expects heartfelt turning from sin. The heart of this chapter, then, is not merely Daniel’s prayer, but the covenant relationship between God and His people. Daniel refers to God as “keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him” (verse 4), echoing the language of Deuteronomy 7:9: “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments.”

Daniel’s prayer from verses 3–19 is a model of national confession. He speaks on behalf of Israel, acknowledging specific sins and patterns of rebellion. He emphasizes that God’s judgments were just, the exile was deserved, and mercy is needed not because of any merit in the people, but because of God’s great name (Daniel 9:18–19). This focus on God’s righteousness and mercy rather than Israel’s worthiness shows Daniel’s full understanding of divine grace. He calls upon God’s covenantal mercy, pointing back to the promises given to Abraham, Moses, and the nation as a whole.

The second half of the chapter (verses 20–27) shifts into a prophetic vision: the seventy weeks prophecy. This angelic revelation, delivered by Gabriel, reveals that the seventy years of exile are not the complete end of Israel’s troubles. Instead, God has ordained “seventy weeks” (understood as seventy weeks of years, or 490 years) for the ultimate redemption of Israel and the coming of Messiah. This section is highly debated in prophetic studies, but it clearly points toward the coming of the Anointed One (Messiah), the destruction of the city (Jerusalem), and the end of sin through God’s redemptive plan.

From a literary and theological standpoint, Daniel 9 serves as a bridge between Israel’s immediate restoration after exile (which begins with Cyrus’s decree in Ezra 1:1) and the long-term plan of redemption through Christ. The connection between Daniel’s prayer and Gabriel’s response also reflects a profound spiritual truth: God hears the prayers of the righteous and reveals deeper truths to those who seek Him in humility and obedience.

The structure of the chapter can be seen this way:

• Verses 1–2: Daniel recognizes the prophecy.
• Verses 3–19: Daniel confesses and intercedes.
• Verses 20–23: Gabriel responds and reveals insight.
• Verses 24–27: The prophecy of the seventy weeks unfolds.

This pattern reinforces a vital truth: divine revelation is not given merely for speculation, but to stir the hearts of God’s people to repentance, hope, and faithful waiting.

APPLICATION

Appreciating God’s Greatness:

Daniel 9:1–5 reveals the greatness of God in two profound ways: His faithfulness to His Word and His mercy toward sinners. God had spoken through Jeremiah, and Daniel trusted that Word completely. There is no wavering or reinterpreting in Daniel’s heart—only submission. This reminds us that when God speaks, He will surely do it. Yet God’s greatness is also seen in His willingness to receive a sinner’s confession. Daniel calls God “great and dreadful,” not in terror, but in reverent awe of His holiness. And yet, this holy God welcomes the contrite heart. His greatness is not only in His power and sovereignty, but in His covenantal love—a love that endures even when His people break the covenant.

For the Believer:

Daniel’s example provides one of the clearest models in all of Scripture for how a believer should respond to sin—whether personal or national. Rather than make excuses, Daniel humbles himself. He reads Scripture, takes it seriously, and lets it shape his response. This is true biblical discipleship. The believer must be a person of the Word, a person of prayer, and a person of confession. Daniel also reminds us of what intercessory prayer looks like. He doesn’t just pray for himself—he bears the burdens of others. He includes himself in the guilt of his people and prays as if their restoration depends on God’s mercy alone. We are called to pray this way for our families, churches, communities, and even nations.

Call to Action:

Are we moved to repentance when we see God’s Word being fulfilled? Or do we simply observe as spectators? Daniel teaches us to engage. Open your Bible, and when you see the warnings of God or the promises of God, don’t just mark them—respond to them. Like Daniel, make prayer your first move. Confess the sins of your home, your community, and even your nation. Fast if needed. Be broken over sin, not hardened by it. And above all, appeal to God’s covenant mercy, not your own worth.

For the Unbeliever:

If you are not a believer, Daniel’s prayer reveals something that should sober every heart: God’s Word will always come to pass. The seventy years of exile were not symbolic—they were literal. God did exactly what He said He would do because Israel rebelled. And He will do the same with all future judgment. But here’s the hope—Daniel didn’t only believe in judgment. He believed in mercy. He cried out for forgiveness, and that same God is willing to forgive you. But confession must come before restoration. You must admit your sin and your rebellion. You must stop making excuses and call upon the mercy of the God who is ready to forgive.

There is no salvation apart from humility. Daniel teaches that God’s mercy is for those who “love him, and…keep his commandments” (Daniel 9:4). You can begin that path today—by turning from sin and turning to the God who keeps covenant promises.

FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT

Daniel 9:1–5 gives us more than a history lesson. It gives us a heart lesson. Daniel was not seeking favor because of his righteousness—he was confessing sin and pleading for mercy based on God’s faithfulness and covenant love. That is the right posture for all who approach a holy God. Whether you’re weary from personal sin, burdened by the sin of your nation, or simply unsure of how to pray, Daniel shows you the way: begin with God’s Word, bow in humility, confess truthfully, and trust God’s mercy.

We often want change—change in the world, in our families, in our churches—but the path to real change is the path Daniel walked: prayer, fasting, and confession. He didn’t wait for someone else to start. He led the way. So should we. God is still faithful. His Word is still true. His covenant is still sure. He is still listening.

And the good news? Just as God heard Daniel, He will hear you.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,
We come to You today, like Daniel, with hearts that desire to be right before You. We recognize that our sins are many—not just as individuals, but as a people who have turned from Your ways. We confess that we have often chosen comfort over conviction, silence over truth, and compromise over obedience. But Lord, You are merciful. You are just. You are faithful to forgive those who humble themselves and call upon Your name.

Thank You for the example of Daniel, who loved Your Word, prayed with urgency, and confessed without excuse. Help us to follow that example today. Give us a burden to pray—for our homes, our churches, and our nation. Stir our hearts to repentance. Open our eyes to Your promises. And lead us into a deeper walk with You, grounded in Your truth, upheld by Your mercy.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our intercessor and King,
Amen.

CLOSING

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Shalom Shalom.