Summary of Daniel 9:20-23
Gabriel appeared to Daniel while he was praying for Israel. He said that as soon as Daniel began to pray a word went out.
BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 7, Day 4: Daniel 9:20-23
8a) Gabriel. He’s an angel used as a messenger by God. Gabriel is God’s chosen herald, a celestial diplomat sent from the very presence of God to deliver crucial, world-altering messages that reveal the unfolding of God’s sovereign plan for salvation. He announces the birth of John the Baptist and appears to Mary to tell her she will give birth to the Messiah.
b) He came because Daniel was praying, and he came to give Daniel understanding and insight.
9a) Daniel was given this message because he was praying and because he was highly esteemed.
b) Faith, trust in God. Daniel’s life displayed profound humility, always giving God glory. His unwavering integrity and courage were rooted in a disciplined, daily prayer life. He was a model of trustworthiness and excellence in his work, blessed with a divine wisdom that consistently proved superior to that of the world’s wisest men.
10) It’s so encouraging because God does answer prayers. Prayers can change the trajectory of your life and the lives of others. Prayer is powerful. This passage shows how God hears and responds the very moment a humble prayer begins. It reveals His personal affection for the faithful, calling Daniel “highly esteemed.” It also demonstrates that God’s answers often exceed our requests, providing deeper insight and a grander vision.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 7, Day 4: Daniel 9:20-23
I love this. We should all be praying all the time because God offers us answers to our prayers and understanding. God is so, so good.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 7, Day 4: Daniel 9:20-23
God can answer prayers immediately like he does here.
The “holy hill” is Mount Zion.
Fun Fact: This is one of the few places in the Bible where we are told that angels do indeed fly.
It’s important to note that understanding comes more in prayer than anything else.
When we seek God constantly, we often receive more than we ask for.
Daniel and John were greatly loved.
END NOTES SUMMARIZED
Daniel 9:20-23 describes the immediate and dramatic divine response to Daniel’s heartfelt prayer, setting the stage for one of the most important prophecies in the Bible.
The interpretation of its key elements is as follows:
- An Immediate Answer to Prayer: The angel Gabriel arrives while Daniel is still speaking. Gabriel reveals that the command for him to come was given the very moment Daniel began his humble prayer. This demonstrates a God who is intimately attentive and eager to respond to the sincere cries of His people.
- A Personal Affirmation: Daniel is told by the angel, “You are highly esteemed” (or “greatly loved”). This is a profound personal assurance from heaven. It reveals that while Daniel was identifying with the corporate sin of his nation, God saw and valued his individual righteousness and devotion.
- The Nature of the Divine Answer: The answer to Daniel’s prayer about the 70-year exile is not a simple “yes.” Instead, Gabriel comes to give “insight and understanding” into a much grander, more complex vision. This shows that God’s plans often far exceed the scope of human requests.
In conclusion, these verses serve as a powerful introduction to the Seventy Weeks prophecy that follows. They reveal that God’s profound revelations are often given in response to humble, Scripture-fed prayer. The passage assures the reader that God not only hears and responds swiftly but also holds a deep, personal love for those who earnestly seek Him, preparing them to receive a message far greater than they could have anticipated.
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