Seventy Weeks - Daniel 9:24

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel told him, “At the beginning of your supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show you; for you are greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision”, and in chapter nine and verse twenty-four of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel told him, “seventy weeks are determined upon your people” where we read,

Seventy weeks are determined upon your people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

The verse reads, “Seventy weeks are determined upon your people and upon your holy city, to finish the transgression, …” Daniel began with the words, “seventy weeks” or “seventy periods or periods of seven which may be days or years” “are determined upon your people” which means “are decreed and marked out upon your, Daniel’s, human beings” “and upon your holy city” or “and on your, Daniel’s, sacred and hallowed dwelling place, abode, habitation and town”, “to finish the transgression” which means “to shut up, restrain and complete the time of rebellion and sin”. Daniel shared how Gabriel said there were seventy sevens of years that were decreed upon Daniel’s human beings and city to make an end of the time of rebellion and sin. 

The verse continues, “… and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, …” Daniel added the words, “and to make an end of sins” or “and to complete, finish and exhaust errors, wrongs and mistakes”, “and to make reconciliation” which means “and to make atonement, cover, purge and propitiation” “for iniquity” or “on behalf of perversity, depravity and consequence of or punishment for moral evil and wickedness”, “and to bring in” which means “and to enter and be enumerated with” “everlasting righteousness” or “being just and right unto futurity, perpetuity and long duration”. Daniel said Gabriel told him the purpose for the “seventy weeks” was also to cause the finish of errors, mistakes and wrongs, make atonement and on behalf of the errors and wrongs of mankind and to cause perpetual right and just behavior to be among men. 

Finally the verse says, “… and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.” Daniel concluded this verse with the words, “and to seal up” which means “and to lock up and fasten” “the vision and the prophecy” or “the mental imagery, appearance and sighting as well as the and the spoken, declared and proclaimed word ”, “and to anoint” which means “and to smear, spread a liquid over and consecrate” ‘the most Holy” or “the set apart, sacred, separated and hallowed One”. Daniel ended this verse by sharing how Gabriel told him that the “seventy weeks” which were decreed upon the people of Israel and their city was also to lock up and fasten the mental imagery and inspired proclamation as well as to consecrate the sacred, pure and hallowed One. 

When we think through Daniel’s words in this verse, we learn through Gabriel that there were seventy sets of seventy years assigned to the people of Israel. This means there are four hundred and ninety years that the people of Israel were specifically given to fulfill God’s will for them. We shall learn more about these years in our next few verses, but for now, let us keep in mind that the eternal God is able to see the past, present and future all in one glance. God knows the times appointed to Israel and to us, and because He desires to live with us forever, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When He resurrected Jesus from the dead after three days, He made the way for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and to be empowered with His Holy Spirit as He teaches us to trust Him with the times of Israel and with our times as well.

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel tells him about, “seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

At the Beginning of Your Supplications - Daniel 9:23

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “while I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give you skill and understanding”, and in chapter nine and verse twenty-three of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel told him, “at the beginning of your supplications the commandment came forth” where we read,

At the beginning of your supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show you; for you are greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

The verse reads, “At the beginning of your supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show you;” Daniel began with the words, “at the beginning” or “in the initial time” “of your supplications” which means “pertaining to your, Daniel’s, earnest prayers and entreaty” “the commandment came forth” or “the speech, utterance, order and directive proceeded and went forth”, “and I am come” which means “and I, Gabriel, have showed up and arrived” “to show you” or “to report, declare, announce and expound to you, Daniel”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him that in the initial time of his earnest prayers the order proceeded and he arrived to make a declaration to him.

The verse goes on to say, “for you are greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.” Daniel continued with the words, “for you are greatly beloved” or “because, since and on account that you, Daniel, exist as massively and abundantly desirable, pleasurable and delightful”: “therefore understand the matter” which means “wherefore, then and on this account the business, case and word”, “and consider the vision” or “and contemplate the mental imagery, appearance and sighting”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him he was abundantly loved, and for this reason he was given the knowledge and perception concerning the business at hand as well as the mental imagery. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how Gabriel was given a directive to go to him at the initiation of his earnest prayers, and Gabriel was to share with Daniel concerning the conditions he observed as well as the mental imagery he saw. God knew Daniel needed help, and Gabriel was assigned to give it to him. God knows we need help as well, and because we have sin in our lives that leads to death, God sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross and raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and fill us with His Holy Spirit so we have no need to fear come what may in our lives.

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel tells him, “seventy weeks are determined upon your people”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Gabriel Informs Daniel - Daniel 9:22

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “while I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation”, and in chapter nine and verse twenty-two of his book Daniel said Gabriel, “informed me, and talked with me” where we read,

And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, 

O Daniel, I am now come forth to give you skill and understanding.

The verse reads, “And he informed me, and talked with me, and said,  …” Daniel began with the words, “and he informed me” or “and he, Gabriel, caused me, Daniel, to perceive, discern, know and give heed”, “and talked with me” which means “and conversed and spoke with me, Daniel”, “and said” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed” the following words. Daniel shared how “Gabriel” caused him to have knowledge and conversed with him by saying the following words.

The verse continues, “… O Daniel, I am now come forth to give you skill and understanding.” Daniel added the words, “O Daniel” or “O Daniel whose name means God is my judge”, “I am now come forth” which means “I, Gabriel, have at this time and moment have proceeded forward” “to give you skill” or “to grant, bestow and assign to you, Daniel, prudence, circumspection and insight” “and understanding” which means “wisdom, discernment and meaning”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him that he proceeded toward him to grant to him insight and discernment.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how Gabriel was dispatched to Him for the purpose of helping him have knowledge and discernment concerning his intercession. God wanted Daniel to know His plans and purpose, and because he was weary from his supplications, Gabriel needed to be strengthened. God knows we get weary as well, and for this reason Jesus said, “come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (See Matthew 11:28) God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sin of all mankind, and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us rest by His Holy Spirit to be empowered to live according to His purpose and will for our lives. 

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel tells him, “at the beginning of your supplications the commandment came forth”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Gabriel Touches Daniel - Daniel 9:21

In the book of Daniel, Daniel prayed to God and said, “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for your own sake, O my God: for your city and your people are called by your name. And while I was speaking, and 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”, and in chapter nine and verse twenty-one of his book Daniel said, “Gabriel … touched me” where we read,

Yes, while I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

The verse reads, “Yes, while I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, …” Daniel began with the words, “yes, while I was speaking” or “even so and indeed, during the time I, Daniel, continued to declare, converse and talk” “in prayer” which means “with intervening, interposing and interceding”, “even the man Gabriel” or “indeed and also the spiritual being named Gabriel whose name means warrior of God who was an archangel; the angel God used to send messages of great importance to man and was sent to Daniel, to Zachariah, and to Mary”, “whom I had seen” which means “that I, Daniel, had previously observed, notice and perceived” “in the vision” or “within the spiritual imagery, appearance, sighting, oracle and revelation” “at the beginning” which means “at the first and initial appearance”. Daniel shared how “Gabriel” who appeared to him during the initial spiritual revelation given to him did the following. 

The verse goes on to say, “… being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.” Daniel continued with the words, “being caused to fly swiftly” or “came in a hurried and fast flight to Daniel who was in extreme weariness”, “touched me” which means “reached out and extended himself toward me, Daniel” “about the time of the evening oblation” or “at the occurrence and time period pertaining to the tribute, offering and sacrifice presented at sunset”. Daniel shared how Gabriel came quickly and extended himself to him because he was weary around the time when the sunset offering was being presented. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how he became faint as he poured out his heart unto God, and at the time when the offering was presented at sunset, Gabriel reached out in a quick manner to “touch” him. God knows we have weaknesses, and He desires to be our strength. Because we have demonstrated our weakness by sinning against God, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When God raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way for us through belief and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and given the strength of His Holy Spirit to carry out His mission for us in the world. (See 2 Corinthians 12:10)

Next time Daniel says Gabriel, “informed me, and talked with me”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

While Daniel was Speaking, Praying and Confessing - Daniel 9:20

In the book of Daniel, Daniel prayed to God and said, “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for your own sake, O my God: for your city and your people are called by your name”, and in chapter nine and verse twenty of his book Daniel began to tell what happened, “while I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin” where we read,

And while I was speaking, and 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;

The verse reads, “And while I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, …” Daniel began with the words, “and while I was speaking” or “and during the time I, Daniel, continued to declare, converse and talk”, “and praying” which means “and intervening, interposing and interceding”, “and confessing my sin” or “and admitting, disclosing and revealing my, Daniel’s, missing of the mark, error, mistakes and wrongs” “and the sin of my people Israel” which means “and the missing of the mark, error, mistakes and wrongs belonging to my, Daniel’s, human beings who belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” as well as the following. Daniel began to share what happened as he was talking, interceding and admitting his “errors and wrongs” as well as the “errors and wrongs” of his “people Israel” in addition to the following.

The verse continues, “… and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;” Daniel added the words, “and presenting my supplication” or “and laying down my, Daniel’s, desire and entreaty for favor and grace” “before the LORD” which means “in front and in the presence of Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “my God” or “my, Daniel’s, Supreme Deity” “for the holy mountain” which means “on behalf of the set apart, sacred and hallowed hill or range of mountains” “of my God” or “belonging to my, Daniel’s, Supreme Deity”. Daniel included how he was also entreating Jehovah God his Supreme Deity on behalf of God’s sacred and hallowed “mountain”, “Jerusalem”. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, discover how Daniel continued in his “prayer, confession and entreaty” before Jehovah God on behalf of himself, the people of Israel and Jerusalem. We shall see what happened during this time in our next verse, but for now let us admire Daniel’s persistence in prayer. Daniel knew to take all of his concerns and wrongs to Jehovah God, and when we humble ourselves and do the same, God will not only hear us, but He will answer our prayers as we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. God loves us, and He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the power of His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth that will lead us into times of “prayer, confession and entreaty” as we walk before His eyes in this world.  

Next time Daniel says, “Gabriel … touched me”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

O Lord Hear and Forgive - Daniel 9:19

In the book of Daniel, Daniel prayed to God and said, “O my God, incline your ear, and hear; open your eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by your name: for we do not present our supplications before you for our righteousnesses, but for your great mercies”, and in chapter nine and verse nineteen of his book Daniel said, “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive” where we read,

O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for your own sake, O my God: for your city and your people are called by your name.

The verse reads, “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for your own sake, O my God:” Daniel began with the words, “O Lord” or “O Lord which is a title spoken in place of Yahweh as a  Jewish display of reverence”, “hear” which means “listen, hearken and perceive”; “O Lord” or “O Lord which is a title spoken in place of Yahweh as a  Jewish display of reverence”, “forgive” which means “spare and pardon”; “hearken and do” or “be attentive, give heed, pay attention to and listen to and fashion, accomplish and produce”; “defer not” which means “do not delay, hesitate or tarry”, “for your own sake” or “because, since and on account of your, Jehovah God’s, own personal purpose and intent”, “O my God” which means “O my, Daniel’s, Supreme Deity”. Daniel called upon Yahweh God to hearken, pardon, pay attention to, take action and not to delay on behalf of His own personal intent.

The verse goes on to say, “for your city and your people are called by your name.” Daniel continued with the words, “for your city” or “because, since and on account that your, Jehovah God’s, dwelling place, habitation and abode” “and your people” which means “and your, Jehovah God’s, human beings” “are called by your name” or “exist as commissioned, summoned, invited and appointed through the means of your, Jehovah God’s, fame, reputation and glory”. Daniel reminded Jehovah God that His dwelling place and human beings are commissioned and appointed through the means of His fame, reputation and glory. 

When we consider Daniel’s words in this verse, we discover how he appealed to Jehovah God not only to “hear” him and the people of Israel, but also to “forgive” them. He reminded God that His dwelling place and His human beings located there were appointed and commissioned by His fame, reputation and glory. God wants to have a personal intimate relationship with us through His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we surrender our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to empower us to live according to that truth in a manner that is pleasing to Him.

Next time Daniel begins to tell what happened, “while I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

God Incline Your Ear and Hear - Daniel 9:18

In the book of Daniel, Daniel prayed to God and said, “O Lord, according to all your righteousness, I beseech you, let your anger and your fury be turned away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people are become a reproach to all that are about us. Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of your servant, and his supplications, and cause your face to shine upon your sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake”, and in chapter nine and verse eighteen of his book Daniel said, “O my God, incline your ear, and hear” where we read,

O my God, incline your ear, and hear; open your eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by your name: for we do not present our supplications before you for our righteousnesses, but for your great mercies.

The verse reads, “O my God, incline your ear, and hear; open your eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by your name:” Daniel began with the words, “O my God” or “O my, Daniel’s, Supreme Deity”, “incline your ear” which means “and stretch out, extend and bend low your, Jehovah God’s, physical ear for hearing”, “and hear” or “and listen, perceive, give heed, obey and understand”; “open your eyes” which means “make observant your, Jehovah God’s, eyes for vision and sight”, “and behold our desolations” or “and look at and consider our, Daniel and the people of Israel’s, waste and devastation”, “and the city which is called by your name” which means “and the habitation, dwelling place, abode and town that is uttered, proclaimed and declared according to your, Jehovah God’s, fame, reputation and glory”. Daniel appealed to Jehovah God to bend down his “ear” for hearing and perceiving, and to make his “eyes” for seeing to consider his and the people of Israel’s destruction and the sacred dwelling place that is declared according to Jehovah God’s fame, reputation and glory. 

The verse continues, “for we do not present our supplications before you for our righteousnesses, but for your great mercies.” Daniel added the words, “for we do not present our supplications” or “because, since and on account that we, Daniel and the people of Israel, in no way or manner cast down, lay or turn out our, Daniel and the people of Israel’s, earnest prayers and entreaties” “before you” which means “in front and in the presence of you, Jehovah God” “for our righteousness” or “on behalf of our, Daniel and the people of Israel’s, just and right acts and deeds ”, “but for your great mercies” which means “except and indeed on behalf of your, Jehovah God’s, abounding, numerous and abundant pity and tender compassion”. Daniel told Jehovah God that he and the people of Israel did not lay out their earnest prayers before Him because they were right and just, but because they knew Jehovah God is filled with compassion and pity. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Daniel called upon Jehovah God to open his hearing and seeing toward he and the people of Israel’s devastation. He also wanted God to consider the city of Jerusalem which was named according to His reputation, fame and glory. He knew their appeal to God could not be based upon their own right and just ways, but he could ask God to operate within His compassion and pity toward them. God is a loving, compassionate and personal God who desires a relationship with every persons through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days. When we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us so we live according to His truth and in a manner that is pleasing to His “ears and eyes”.

Next time Daniel says, “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".