Page 257 - Daniel

mercy is spurned, judgment is inevitable. Daniel’s conclusion in verse 14
brought out this fact. Porteous notes that the words “kept ready” or
“vigilant” are the same words Jeremiah used when he told how God was
watchful over His Word to perform it (Jer. 1:12; cf. 31:28; 44:27). God
was faithfully keeping His Word both in blessing and in cursing, which

must have encouraged Daniel in anticipating the end of the captivity. 15

DANIEL’S PETITION FOR FORGIVENESS AND RESTORATION (9:15–

19)

9:15–19 “And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of

the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for
yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly. O
Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your
wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for
our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your

people have become a byword among all who are around us. Now
therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his
pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to
shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline your
ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city
that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before
you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O

Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not,
for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are
called by your name.”

Daniel laid a solid groundwork for his prayer by his confession of sin
and acknowledgment of God’s righteousness and mercy. Beginning in
verse 15, Daniel turned to the burden of his prayer—that God would act
righteously and in mercy to forgive and restore the people of Israel.

Daniel appealed first to the power and forgiveness God manifested in
delivering His people from Egypt. In doing so, God had “made a name”
for Himself among the nations. The deliverance of Israel from Egypt is,
in many respects, the standard Old Testament illustration of God’s power
and ability to deliver His people. In the New Testament, the resurrection