Daniel 9:16

Daniel 9:16 is a pivotal part of Daniel's profound prayer, offered during the Babylonian exile. This verse encapsulates his earnest appeal to God for the restoration of Jerusalem and the Jewish people, acknowledging their collective sin as the root cause of their current state of desolation and disgrace.

Context

This verse is situated within Daniel's passionate prayer of confession and intercession, recorded in Daniel chapter 9. Daniel, having understood from Jeremiah's prophecy that the 70 years of Babylonian captivity were nearing an end, pours out his heart to God. He recognizes that the suffering of Jerusalem and the exile of the Jewish people were not arbitrary but were direct consequences of their disobedience to God's covenant. His prayer is a model of humility and identification with his people's sins, even though he was a righteous man.

Key Themes

• Appeal to God's Righteousness: Daniel does not appeal based on Israel's merit, but solely on God's inherent righteousness and justice. He trusts that God's character, which demands justice for sin, also encompasses mercy and faithfulness to His covenant promises. This highlights that God's righteousness is not just punitive but also redemptive.
• Confession of Corporate Sin: Daniel explicitly states, "for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers." This demonstrates a deep understanding of corporate sin and generational iniquity, where the cumulative disobedience of the nation and its leaders led to their present plight. It's a recognition that the entire community bore responsibility.
• The Reproach of Jerusalem: The phrase "Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us" signifies profound shame and disgrace. Jerusalem, once the glorious "holy mountain" and center of worship, was now a desolate ruin, a mocking symbol to surrounding nations. This reproach was a direct result of their sin and God's judgment.
• Desire for God's Anger to Turn Away: Daniel's fervent plea for God's "anger and fury" to be turned away reflects a longing for an end to divine judgment and for the restoration of God's favor upon His chosen city and people.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "reproach" here is cherpah, which conveys a strong sense of shame, disgrace, and scorn. It emphasizes the public humiliation and contempt that Jerusalem and the Jewish people faced from their neighbors due to their fallen state, a direct consequence of their unfaithfulness to God.

Significance and Application

Daniel 9:16 offers timeless lessons:

• The Power of Intercessory Prayer: Daniel's prayer exemplifies how to approach God in times of national crisis and spiritual decline. It is marked by humility, confession, and an appeal to God's character, not human deserving.
• Acknowledging Sin: True repentance begins with a clear-eyed acknowledgment of sin, both personal and corporate. Daniel's prayer reminds us that the consequences of sin are real and can affect entire communities.
• God's Righteousness and Mercy: Even in judgment, God remains righteous. Daniel's prayer appeals to this righteousness as the basis for mercy and restoration, showing that God's character is consistent in both justice and compassion.
• Hope for Restoration: Despite the dire circumstances, Daniel prays with hope, believing in God's faithfulness to His promises of restoration for His people and His city.