The Pulpit Commentary — Daniel — Section 308

IIJ. lTs BOLEMN AND nELrnEnATE OUARACTEB. Imagine vividly the crisis. Tlte ftrM great world-power had o.lready gone doum. How long the second and third might la~t, who could toll? Then would appear the fourth, during whose existence "one like a Son of man" would come "with the clouds of heaven." TM deliverer from captivity (Cyrus) had al,ready appeared-was on the throne of power. 1. Such a prayer oould not be breathed amidst life's business. Retirement, leisure, deliberate-. ness, solemnity, were all essential. 2. There had been preparation for it. "Fasting,· and sackcloth, and ashes," i.e. the withdrawal of the spirit from the roalm of the sensuous, the assumption of the mourner's garb, the sign of abasement and grief, vbi. e&.~ting ashes on the bead. 3. Daniel's moda Qf ,peaking impliea deliberation and solemnity. "I •et mg face," eto. "Unto the Lord God," with perhaps the lattice open "toward Jerusalem." IV. JTs oo~"TE]'ITB. In a sense we would analyze it; but not so as to dissipate the aroma of its sweetly plaintive devotional spirit. 1. TM invocation. (Ver. 4.) In these words we have: (1) Some of tlu glorious attributes of God referred to. And: (a) Hi.:; majesty. All great in him. (b) Fi.del,ity to covenant. Whether the terms be written in the ordinances of heaven, the social constitution of man, the develop- ment of providence, the book of the Law, or the gospel of his Son. But "tlte covenant" specially. (c) Mercy. (2) .A.n answeringfeel,ing. Dread. Not the abject- ness of fear, but the prostration of reverent love. 2. The confession. In it there are the following specialities : The iniquity of the nation is set forth: (1) In its greatness. Terms that to us are almost synonymous in Daniel's Hebrew set forth the nation's sin as failurr, perversity, disturbance, rebellion, departure from all that is holiest and best, disobedience to the one supreme voice. (2) In ita aggravations. The Law disregarded. Prophets unheeded. See the history (2 Chron. xxxvi. 14-16). Divine judgments in vain. (3) In its 'IIRl,iversality. The ten tribes "afar off," and the two "near.'' (4) In its effects. The fulfilment of oath and curse-in the desolations of temple and city, Church and nation. 3. TM 'Vindication of God. (Vere. 7, 6, 11-14.) 4. Complaint. The reproach of the people and the ruin of the sanctuary were the prophet's mighty griefs (vers. 16, 17, 18). "Our desolations." 5. The petition. (1) Tlieplea. It is for: (a) The cherishing of anger. (Ver.16.) (b) The recognition of the desolation.. (Ver. 18.) (c) TM favouring smile of God. (Ver. 17.) (d) Pardon. (Ver. 19.) (e) Divine action. (Ver. 19.) (/) Instant and speedy relief. (Ver. 19.) (2) Its ground. Observe: (a) Daniel has never forgotten for a moment the covenant relation of God. Note: "The Lord my God;" "The Lord our God;" (b) Toward the close all the argument is fetched, not from what manJs, but from what God is. " According to all thy righteousness;" " For the Lord's sake; " " The city which is called by thy name;" "For thy great mercies;" "For thine own sake ; " " Thy city and thy people are called by thy name." V. TEE ANSWER. 1. Inetantaneoua. 2. Most marked. 3. By angelic envoy. la conclusion, observe: 1. The noble unaelfishneu of tM prayer. All intercessoi:y. 2. Its consequent prevalence. Every word was answered. Next year out came the edict of Cyrus for the restoration..-R. Ver. 24.-.A section in time. "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy holy city," etc. (ver. 24). The inner connection between this brilliant prophecy and _D_aniel's prayer is to be carefully observed. At the end of seventy years of oapt1v1ty he prayed for the averting of the Divine anger, etc. (see preceding homily, eh. iv. 5 (1) ), The answer passed on to the next critical event in the developments of God-to the anointing of the Redeemer. It responded to the soul of Daniel's prayer, but went far beyond it. Divine anStDers go far beyond " all that we ask or think " (Eph. ill, 20, 21). We had best here anticipate our homiletic line of march by indicating how we read the pll68age. Literally thus: "Hebdomads [sc. of days or years] seventy is cut off in regard to thy people and thy holy city, to close the defection, and to seal up sins, and to cover iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophet, and to anoint the holy of holies." . . I. 'IRE SECTION, i.e. of time, here said to be "cut off." But what section of time was cut off-seventy hebdomads of days or of years? It might be said of days, but then we 1;hink each day stands for a year. For our part we thiDk the year-day C!l. IX, 1-27.) 'l':tlE BOOK OF DANIEL. 2131