Daniel 10: 1 - 12: 4

Read Daniel 10:1-12:4

Verses chosen for meditation:

Daniel 10: 2, 3, 11, 12, 19; 12: 4 ESV:

In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. 

I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks.

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.

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.

And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”

But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

Reflect

I chose the verses above as they speak about the man, Daniel and what he did, what overcame him, and what he was given to do.

What do you think of Daniel in all these respects?

What do you think Daniel did that caused him to stand out?

How do you see God in these last few chapters? What do they say about God, whether from the perspective of the prophecies, the man, Daniel, or the accounts of what Daniel did?

Relate

Daniel was a remarkable man according to the verses, even though he was no longer the young man that he was in Daniel 1. Through the years, he had kept faith with what he was supposed to do. But more importantly, he had not wavered in his trust in God. 

He was in essence a man of prayer and faith, a man who is humble and disciplined, a man who is sensitive to God, making him a man whom God can use. As a result, he found favour with God who called him 'the man greatly loved'.

In the course of pursuing God and living out his faith, the spirit of God and presence of God would also overcome him every now and then. The contriteness of his spirit and humility of his posture made it all the more conducive to such spiritual revelations from God. Only to a man like him would divine visions and prophecies be entrusted. 

But what made Daniel stand out was not the fact that he was given the gifts of interpretation and prophecy. Rather, it was the man whom God admired for his humility, discipline, prayer life, faithfulness and faith.

What then about God? How is God seen in these last few chapters of the book? 

Simply put, God is seen as someone who wields absolute authority. Besides, he is absolutely accurate as someone who is dead - on in his choice, decision and prediction.

His absolute authority over man and accuracy about man is seen in his appointment and choice of Daniel. Daniel was a priest in the same manner that we have been chosen to be a royal priesthood. (1 Peter 2: 9)

Then, there is his absolute authority over time and accuracy about time. Though there may have been a delay of 3 weeks, it was not because of his lack of authority. In many ways, prayer is about timing, the timing that is not according to man. For in its time, he makes all things beautiful. (Ecclesiastes 3: 11)

Last but not least, God has absolute authority over events and accuracy about events. The prophecies in these chapters were so accurate that some scholars believe they might have been inserted later (late reporting, a practice of reporting after an event had taken place). But isn’t he the one who knows the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come? (Isaiah 46: 10)

Indeed, God has authority over man, time and events. He is as accurate about us whom he chose to be a royal priesthood as he is about time when he answers our prayers and about events when he fulfils the plans and purposes according to his Word.

Rest

Lord, all authority is yours. There is nothing on earth or in heaven that does not come under your authority. You're right, too, about everything, not to mention righting all the wrongs in the end. There is no delay either with you. For all the waiting awaits the perfect time that you have set. There is also nothing that happens without your knowing. All things will eventually come to pass according to your Word and promise. For you are God.

Naville Chia