Daniel 9:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him

NIV: The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him;

NASB: To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, because we have rebelled against Him;

CSB: Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God, though we have rebelled against him

NLT: But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.

KJV: To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;

NKJV: To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him.

Babylon conquered Judah and took Jewish people like Daniel captive (Daniel 1:1–7). Sixty-plus years later, Babylon falls, and Daniel reads about the end of the exile in the writings of Jeremiah (Daniel 9:1–2). He begins fervently praying for God to restore His people, by confessing their national sins (Daniel 9:3–8). This corresponds with prophecies about the nation's decline and eventual rescue (Deuteronomy 28:48–50; 29:25; 30:1–3; 2 Kings 17:1–8; Jeremiah 25:7–11; 29:10–14).

The same prophet who spoke about the exile, Jeremiah, also says: "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22–23). Mercy is the companion of grace. While Israel was guilty of idolatry and other terrible sins, God is associated with mercy and forgiveness. God's righteousness means He cannot approve of sin. However, His love and grace mean He may delay or withhold judgment for a time. He can also offer forgiveness. By grace God gives what sinners don't deserve: salvation (Ephesians 2:8–9). In mercy He withholds what sinners do deserve: punishment (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

However, God's salvation is available only to those who recognize their need. A classic demonstration of this comes from one of Jesus' parables (Luke 18:9–14). In that lesson, a tax collector and a self-righteous Pharisee prayed in the temple. The Pharisee bragged about his supposed goodness, even "thanking" God that he was not a sinner like others. On the other hand, the tax collector acknowledged his sin and asked God to be merciful to him. Jesus said only the tax collector went in a right relationship with God.

Daniel 9:1–19 records a prayer of confession on behalf of God's rebellious people; Daniel includes himself by using terms such as "us" and "we." After the fall of Babylon, Daniel sees evidence in the writings of Jeremiah that Israel's exile may be nearing an end. He prays for forgiveness and restoration, referring to God as righteous, merciful, and forgiving. This prayer leads to an appearance from the angel Gabriel. Gabriel will deliver a prophetic message about Israel's future.

Darius became king when Babylon fell to Medo-Persia. Daniel compared this to writings from Jeremiah, and realized the exile of Israel was almost over. As he prayed for God's intervention, the angel Gabriel arrived to provide further explanation. Gabriel's prophecy ties the arrival of an "anointed one," or "Messiah," or "Christ," to a moment in history followed by a set interval of time. This prediction includes dire moments for Israel and Jerusalem.

This chapter forms part of the prophetic section of Daniel's writing. After confessing the sins of both Israel and his own life, Daniel received a visit from the angel Gabriel. Gabriel revealed a message about Israel's then-future. This includes reference to the arrival of Christ and information about the still-future end times. Chapter 10 begins the last of Daniel's prophetic messages.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.