Incline Thy ear, my God, and hear!

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It is an impressive and emotional prayer that Daniel describes in the ninth chapter of his book (Daniel 9:1-19).

In chapters 7 and 8 we read of the visions Daniel received from the Lord. They were terrible things yet to come, pertaining to “the time of the end” and “the end of the wrath” (Daniel 8:17, 19). He is even physically sick and sick of it (8:27).

Then, in chapter 9 in the books, he reads that Jeremiah prophesied of "seventy years which should pass after the destruction of Jerusalem" (Daniel 9:2). It leads him to seek the face of the Lord in prayer and supplication.

Although there is much to be said about this prayer, let me now limit myself to a few points.

“I prayed to the Lord my God, and made confession, saying, O Lord, God great and awesome, who keeps the covenant and loving kindness toward those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned, we have done injustice, we have acted wickedly, we have rebelled by turning aside from Your commandments and ordinances.”  (Daniel 9:4-5)

Confession

Daniel made a confession, he says himself. That's not superficial. Everything he says shows that he knows God and knows why the Lord has driven them out and why the situation would get worse.

He knew God as the holy God who must judge what is wrong. This is evident from the visions that Daniel had, which deeply moved him. On the other hand, he knew that same God as the forgiving, merciful God. “The Lord our God is full of mercy and abundant forgiveness,” he says in verse 9.

Several times Daniel mentions the fact that the people have disobeyed and sinned, despite the fact that the Lord had always made it so clear what He wanted.

  • “we have sinned . . .” (verse 5)
  • 'we have not listened . . .' (verse 6)
  • "(…) their breach of faith which they have committed against You." (verse 7)
  • “...because we have sinned against you” (verse 8)
  • “(…) we have rebelled against Him” (verse 9)
  • “We have not listened . . .” (verse 10)

By all that Daniel said to the Lord, he made it clear to Him that he understood what was wrong and what was wrong with the Lord. To say all these things to the Lord is to make a confession.

“(…) I confessed my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and poured out my supplication before the Lord my God for the sake of the holy mountain of my God (…).” (Daniel 9:20) 

My own sin

Nowhere does it appear that Daniel was guilty of the breach of faith by the people of God. There is not a bad word about him. On the contrary, there are only positive testimonials from him. No doubt he was one who loved the Lord and lived devotedly to Him. Yet Daniel knew his own heart, and that is enough to see that he is equally to blame for the situation that has arisen. Hence he says 'I confessed my sin'.

This also leads to the question whether we suffer from the situation as it is among the believers today. Does that come to us, to me, also to a confession to the Lord? Do we understand where it went wrong and confess it?

Then we can also go to the Lord with supplications, as Daniel did.

Supplication

Daniel confesses the sin, but also submits the supplications (verses 17, 20) to the Lord. He prays and pleads fervently

  • “Now therefore, our God, hearken unto the prayer . . .” (verse 17)
  • "Incline Your ear, my God, and hear!" (verse 18)
  • “Open Your Eyes . . .” (verse 18)
  • 'Lord, listen. Lord, forgive. Lord, take heed and do it . . .' (verse 19)

He prays or the Lord

  • Will turn away his wrath and wrath from his city Jerusalem (verse 16)
  • Let his face shine on his sanctuary that is desolate (verse 17)

God wanted to dwell with His people, in His sanctuary, to be served by them. It had to be as He ordained it. But it was all in ruins now! Daniel prayed that God would have mercy on them and that He would still show them something of His sanctuary. Actually, Daniel asked if the Lord would give them again that place where He Himself dwelt, where He had made His Name (verses 15 and 19).

For Yourself, my God

In prayer, Daniel had the glory of God in view—that there might again be that place where He is served. The Lord was not to answer his prayer for His people's sake, but only for His own sake. It is mentioned twice:

  • '(...) for the sake of the Lord (...)' (verse 17)
  • '(...) for Yourself, my God.' (verse 19)

And it wasn't because they were doing better now or deserved it, no, just because it would be His mercy that took care of the devastated city.

  • ' . . . because of all Your righteousnesses' (verse 16)
  • "(...) not on account of our righteousnesses, but on account of Thy great mercy." (verse 18)

Daniel's great desire was a place for God's Name to dwell! A place where the Lord could be served as He desired! We may look forward to being a little 'follower of Daniel'.

Finally – about the beginning

We read in verse 5 how all the misery of the people of Israel started.

‘(…) we have sinned, we have done iniquity, we have acted wickedly, we have rebelled by turning aside from your commandments and ordinances.”  (Daniel 9:5)

It all started with the 'deviation from Thy commandments'! In the previous post we have already considered that also in the Church of the Lord Jesus 'deviations from the teaching' have arisen, through which idolatry eventually penetrated.

It may further exhort us to seek God's glory and to hold fast to the trustworthy Word of God. Especially in our time of disintegration, fragmentation and division.

“Lord, listen, Lord, forgive. Lord, take heed and do it, wait no longer — for Yourself, my God.”

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