Page 305 - Daniel
P. 305
10:10–11 And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on
my hands and knees. And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved,
understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I
have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I
stood up trembling.
If the original person who appeared was a theophany, then this has to
be another personage, probably an angel. However, it appears that the
person who touches Daniel is the same as the one who first appeared to
him in the vision. If so, then what follows would indicate it was an angel
rather than a theophany. Daniel’s reaction here was much like arousing
one from sleep.
The angel addressed Daniel with the title a “man greatly loved.”
Although God loves the entire world so much that He provided His Son
as its Savior, certain individuals, because of their special relationship to
God, are the objects of unusual divine love. David, in spite of his sins,
was sought by the Lord as “a man after his own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14; cf.
Acts 13:22); and John the apostle was “one of his disciples, whom Jesus
loved” (John 13:23). As a parent loves all of his children but may love
one or more in a special way, so the heart of God responds to those who
love Him most.
The angel exhorted Daniel to understand his message and to stand
upright to receive it, for this was the purpose of the angel’s coming.
Daniel was then able to stand upright, although trembling. The angel’s
message naturally tended to reassure Daniel that God’s purpose in giving
him the vision was gracious and loving, and that Daniel had nothing to
fear.
THE PURPOSE OF THE ANGEL’S VISIT (10:12–14)
10:12–14 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day
that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before
your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of
your words. The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-
one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I
was left there with the kings of Persia, and came to make you
