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- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Dan. 7-8
Daniel’s visions are a mystery. Not only is their meaning unclear, but so is the reason God gave them. I think there is compelling evidence that Daniel 8 covers what is now history from the time of the Medes and Persians, through Alexander the Great, and up to the Maccabean revolt and the restoration of God’s sanctuary. The first vision, from Daniel 7, is significantly less clear and is perhaps yet to come. Or could it cover what is now history up to the time of Jesus’ resurrection and ascension? After all, one could argue that was the time when the Son of Man gained dominion of His everlasting kingdom.
I don’t have answers. What I know, however, is that the Bible does not follow a clear time line. Its primary purpose is not as a historical record with prophecy of things yet to come. Its purpose is to tell the story of God and man. And I see a very cyclical pattern in the telling of that story. The essential elements repeat over and over again in different stories with various representations. In it all we see God’s perfect and sovereign character, our separation from Him, our Creator, because of our sinful nature, and His solution – the only solution – to restore our relationship. We also learn just enough about the spiritual battle over our lives and its manifestations here on earth to know that, from our perspective, the battle will be long and hard but its end certain for those whose faith endures through it all.
Dan. 9
Daniel’s prayer for the promised restoration of Israel is an example of our prayer for God’s promised salvation. His acknowledgment of the sins of the entire nation of Israel are equivalent to our acknowledgment of the human condition. We then follow his lead by confessing our own sin and individual need for God’s mercy. Finally, we acknowledge that our petition for His mercy is not, “based on our righteous acts, but based on your abundant compassion.” (Dan. 9:18b).