Page 258 - Daniel

of Jesus Christ is God’s standard of power (Eph. 1:19–20). In Christ’s
future millennial reign, the standard of power will be the regathering of
Israel and their restoration to the land (Jer. 16:14–15).

The three dispersions of Israel from the land and their regathering are
among the more important demonstrations of God’s power. He had
allowed them to go into Egypt and then delivered them in the Exodus.
He had punished them by the captivities, but now Daniel was pleading

with Him to restore His people to their land and their city. The future
and final regathering of Israel in relation to the millennial kingdom will
be the final act, fulfilling Amos 9:11–15, when Israel will be regathered
never to be dispersed again. In both the dispersions and the
regatherings, God’s righteousness, power, and mercies are evident. The
thought of God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt overwhelmed Daniel
with the thought of the nation’s sinfulness that seemed to block the way

for restoration. “We have sinned, we have done wickedly” was the
theme of Daniel’s prayer to this point. But he went on to petition for
Israel’s forgiveness and restoration.

Interestingly, in verses 15–19, Daniel addressed God only as Adonai
and Elohim and no longer used His covenant name, Yahweh, as he did in
verses 4–14. Most commentators have ignored this significant change in
16
address. Montgomery goes so far as to insert the word Yahweh in his
translation, although he calls attention in his critical apparatus to the
17
actual Hebrew. The explanation seems to be that in using the word
Adonai, Daniel was recognizing God’s absolute sovereignty over him as
Lord.

Daniel significantly appealed again to God’s righteousness in verse 16.
Daniel recognized that Israel’s restoration depended on God’s mercy, yet
he also acknowledged that it must be “according to all your righteous
acts.” Here is implied the whole system of reconciliation to God by
sacrifice, supremely fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Daniel understood that
there is no contradiction between the righteousness of God and His
mercy and forgiveness. The same Scriptures that predict God’s judgment

upon Israel also predict its restoration. It would be in accordance with
the veracity of God as a covenant-keeping God not only to inflict
judgment, but to bring in the promised restoration.

Daniel’s appeal for restoration was grounded in the fact that Israel was