Chapter 9 of Daniel takes place sometime between the defeat of the Babylonians by the Medo-Persians (539 BC) but apparently before Cyrus has given his decree allowing the Jewish people to return to their homeland (Ezra 1:1 538 BC). One of the primary concerns of Daniel’s prayer in this chapter is the restoration of the sanctuary and city of Jerusalem (v. 17-18). If Cyrus has already issued his decree, then we would expect Daniel to give thanks or note it in some way. Instead, he asks God for an open door to return to their homeland and that’s what he is assured by Gabriel will happen (v. 25).
It’s no surprise that Daniel is praying (v. 3), because we know him to be a person of prayer. He is also a student of the Scripture (those two things go together so well). He understands from the book of Jeremiah that Israel would be exiled and under Babylonian rule for 70 years (25:1-14). At the end of that time, the Babylonians would be judged for their crimes (v. 12-14) and Israel would return to their land (29:10-14). With this in mind, Daniel prays to God concerning Israel’s future and their return to their homeland.
He begins by confessing their sin and rebellion (v. 5), as well as their failure to listen to what the prophets have said (v. 6). He acknowledges the curses that come upon them as Moses had promised (Deuteronomy 28:64ff). He concludes his prayer by asking God to look in favor on their desolate sanctuary and city (v. 17-18).
As he is doing these things, the angel Gabriel appears to him. He tells him, “As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed” (v. 23). Wow! There’s so much there. “As soon as you began to pray”—this makes you wonder what would have happened if Daniel hadn’t prayed. And it makes you wonder how much we miss out on because we don’t pray, or we don’t pray deeply as James encourages us to do in 4:2-3 of his letter. And does God hear our prayers? “As soon as you began to pray” tells us He does!
Having said that, the answer to Daniel’s prayer is what he wants to hear and what he doesn’t want to hear. The people of Israel will be released from their captivity by Cyrus. They will return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city and the temple. You can read about this is Ezra & Nehemiah, as well as the prophetical books of Haggai and Zechariah. This must have brought great joy to Daniel’s heart. We don’t know if he personally returned to Jerusalem (he is quite old at this time), but he knew his people would.
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 