Daniel 9:18

Daniel 9:18 is a poignant segment of Daniel's profound prayer, offered during the Babylonian captivity as he sought God's intervention for his people and the desolate city of Jerusalem.

Context

This verse comes from Daniel's prayer in Daniel chapter 9, a pivotal moment where the prophet intercedes for Israel after understanding from Jeremiah's prophecy that the seventy years of desolation for Jerusalem were nearing their end. Daniel's prayer is characterized by deep humility, confession of national sin, and an earnest appeal to God's character rather than any perceived merit of Israel. He observes the "desolations" of Jerusalem and the Temple, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians, and identifies with the plight of "the city which is called by thy name," emphasizing God's ownership and connection to Jerusalem despite its ruined state.

Key Themes

• Humility and Dependency: Daniel approaches God not with demands but with earnest supplication, acknowledging Israel's dire state and their complete reliance on divine intervention. His prayer models true humility.
• God's Mercy Over Human Righteousness: The core message is a rejection of self-righteousness as a basis for prayer. Daniel explicitly states, "we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies." This highlights that true access to God and His blessings comes through His unmerited favor, not human performance. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, such as in Titus 3:5, which teaches that salvation is not by works of righteousness.
• Divine Attention and Action: Daniel implores God to "incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold," expressing a desperate desire for God to actively perceive and respond to their suffering and prayers.
• The Significance of God's Name and City: The plea for Jerusalem, "the city which is called by thy name," underscores the covenant relationship and God's honor being tied to His chosen city and people, even in their fallen state.

Linguistic Insights

• The phrases "incline thine ear" (Hebrew: natah ozen) and "open thine eyes" (Hebrew: paqach ayin) are vivid anthropomorphisms, portraying God as actively listening and observing with compassion. They convey an intense desire for divine attentiveness and intervention.
• "Our righteousnesses" is plural (Hebrew: tsidqotheynu), which can imply human attempts at self-justification or a collection of good deeds. Daniel contrasts this directly with God's "great mercies" (Hebrew: rachamim), a term denoting deep, tender compassion and lovingkindness, often rooted in a covenantal relationship. This contrast powerfully underscores the source of true hope and forgiveness.

Practical Application

Daniel's prayer in this verse serves as a timeless model for believers today. It teaches us to approach God with:

• Humility: Recognizing our own sinfulness and unworthiness, rather than relying on our own merits or good deeds.
• Dependence on God's Character: Anchoring our prayers and hopes in God's unchanging nature—His mercy, compassion, and faithfulness—rather than our performance. This is a foundational principle of grace.
• Earnestness for God's Glory: Praying not just for personal benefit, but for the restoration of what is called by God's name, whether it be a community, a nation, or the Church, especially in times of spiritual or physical desolation.

This verse reminds us that even in our deepest failings and most desperate circumstances, God's boundless mercy is the ultimate basis for our hope and the foundation of effective prayer. It encourages us to pray for our cities and nations, acknowledging their spiritual condition and appealing to God's character for divine intervention and restoration.