Ezekiel 9
Daniel 9 is a chapter that contains the historical circumstances of Israel, which had been taken into exile, as well as deep spiritual reflections and prophecies about the future. While the prophet Daniel is reading the book of Jeremiah, he realizes that the period of Jerusalem’s desolation will last 70 years, and he earnestly prays before God, confessing Israel’s sin. After that, Daniel receives a remarkable prophecy from the angel Gabriel concerning the restoration of Israel and Jerusalem.
1verseThen he cried in my ears with a loud voice, saying, “Cause those who are in charge of the city to draw near, each man with his destroying weapon in his hand.”
2verseBehold, six men came from the way of the upper gate, which lies toward the north, every man with his slaughter weapon in his hand. One man in the middle of them was clothed in linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side. They went in, and stood beside the bronze altar.
3verseThe glory of the God of Israel went up from the cherub, whereupon it was, to the threshold of the house; and he called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writer’s inkhorn by his side.
4verseThe LORD said to him, “Go through the middle of the city, through the middle of Jerusalem, and set a mark on the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry over all the abominations that are done within it.”
5verseTo the others he said in my hearing, “Go through the city after him, and strike. Don’t let your eye spare, neither have pity.
6verseKill utterly the old man, the young man, the virgin, little children and women; but don’t come near any man on whom is the mark. Begin at my sanctuary.” Then they began at the old men who were before the house.
7verseHe said to them, “Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain. Go out!” They went out, and struck in the city.
8verseWhile they were killing, and I was left, I fell on my face, and cried, and said, “Ah Lord GOD! Will you destroy all the residue of Israel in your pouring out of your wrath on Jerusalem?”
9verseThen he said to me, “The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perversion; for they say, ‘The LORD has forsaken the land, and the LORD doesn’t see.’
10verseAs for me also, my eye won’t spare, neither will I have pity, but I will bring their way on their head.”
11verseBehold, the man clothed in linen, who had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, “I have done as you have commanded me.”
Verses 1-2: Historical Background and Daniel’s Understanding
Verses 1-2 explain the historical background leading up to the first year of King Darius. This was near the end of the Babylonian exile, and Daniel, while studying the writings of the prophet Jeremiah, learns that the desolation of Jerusalem will last for 70 years.
Verses 3-19: Daniel’s Prayer
Daniel makes a model prayer of repentance in which he deeply confesses his own sins and those of his nation and seeks God’s mercy. He acknowledges God’s justice and faithfulness, and openly confesses the sins committed by his forefathers and by the people of Israel. Daniel’s prayer shows the character of intercessory prayer for the entire community, going beyond personal piety.
Verses 20-23: Gabriel’s Visit and the Response
While Daniel is praying, the angel Gabriel appears and delivers God’s response. God says that he heard Daniel’s plea immediately and that he loves Daniel greatly. This section demonstrates God’s prompt and personal response to prayer.
Verses 24-27: The Prophecy of Seventy Weeks (70 Weeks)
Gabriel delivers a prophecy of “seventy weeks” (70 weeks) for Israel and Jerusalem. This period ends sin and transgression, brings about everlasting righteousness, and is a symbolic span concerning the restoration of Jerusalem, the appearance and cutting off of an “anointed one,” and later desolation. Interpretations of the seventy weeks vary. There are various interpretations about whether “weeks” in the text symbolizes actual dates as a unit of time and about the progression of the redemption-historical process, but at its core, it is proclaiming that God’s plan of redemption will certainly be fulfilled.
Meditation Points
- We can take Daniel’s attitude as our example: reading the words of prophecy carefully, understanding their meaning, and then immediately turning to prayer.
- Let us meditate on what kind of challenge it brings to us to confess the community’s wrongdoing as if it were our own sin and to seek God’s mercy.
- Remember that God’s response comes along with prayer, and at times in ways we do not expect.
Apply It to Me
- Take a look at whether I have the attitude to connect what I have read in and understood from God’s Word to prayer and daily life.
- Be formed as an intercessor not only through personal prayer, but for our community, our nation, and our era
- Trust the fact that even in my weakness, God loves me, and pray with courage in hope
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