Daniel 9 Part 2
When Israel first entered the promised land they were commanded to follow God. Even to the extent of letting the land rest every 7th year. Due to their disobedience, they were exiled. God had raised up Babylon to conquer them and exile them for a period of 70 years. Coincidentally, there were 70 years’ worth of sabbath rests for the land, that was due. This speaks to the intentionality, righteousness, and justice of God. Now that this period of ‘rest’ was coming to a close, it was time for reconciliation. The prophecy in this chapter shows us God’s heart for reconciliation as it gives us 6 ‘line items’, three that dealt with sin and three that dealt with righteousness. Further, it may be one of the most important prophesies as it calculated the days to the exact day Jesus would be crucified. As verse 26 shows us, "Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself;”. Looking at this physically, He would be innocent in death while spiritually speaking, He did not receive the kingdom at that moment. Instead of a crown of gold to reign over the Jews, He was given a crown of thorns receiving nothing for Himself at this time. So why is God waiting so long to bring the kingdom? Because of His long-suffering, and His willingness that none should perish and His kindness is to lead us to repentance. (Romans 2:4,2nd Peter 3:9)
Read Daniel 9:20-27. Why is reconciliation such a big deal in the Bible?
20 Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God, 21 yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. 22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. 23 At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision:
24 “Seventy weeks are determined
For your people and for your holy city,
To finish the transgression,
To make an end of sins,
To make reconciliation for iniquity,
To bring in everlasting righteousness,
To seal up vision and prophecy,
And to anoint the Most Holy.
25 “Know therefore and understand,
That from the going forth of the command
To restore and build Jerusalem
Until Messiah the Prince,
There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks;
The street shall be built again, and the wall,
Even in troublesome times.
26 “And after the sixty-two weeks
Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself;
And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate.”
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Da 9:20–27.