Cw – ADONAI’s Word 9: 1-2

ADONAI’s Word
9: 1-2

ADONAI’s Word DIG: Who was Darius? Who was Cyrus? Who was Ahasuerus? How many other visions did Dani’el have? How old was Dani’el when he had this vision? What would Dani’el have learned from other books in the TaNaKh? Why was he studying? How did Dani’el calculate the end of the Babylonian Captivity?

REFLECT: How does God’s Word impact your life? Have you read through the whole Bible at some point in your life? How did Yeshua combat the lies of the Adversary when He was tempted in the wilderness? What is your favorite book? What are you studying right now? What are some of your favorite verses?

Although Jeremiah was written only one generation prior to the events in Chapter 9,
Dani’el recognized it as the inspired Word of ADONAI.

In the first year of Darius (to see link click Ag – Cyrus and Darius), son of Ahasuerus, a Mede by descent (see the commentary on Esther Ak – The King Gave a Grand Banquet in Susa, and Displayed the Vast Wealth), who was made ruler over the Babylonian kingdom (9:1). Dani’el received his vision (see Cv – Dani’el’s Vision of the Seventy Sevens) in 539/538 BC, the first year of his reign. Roughly sixty-seven years had passed since the Babylonian Captivity had begun (see the commentary on Jeremiah Gu – Seventy Years of Imperial Babylonian Rule). Dani’el was about eighty-one years old and had thus far received the following visions: the 602 BC prophecy of the Great Statue (2:1-45) when Dani’el was 18; the 553 BC prophecy of the Four Beasts and the Ancient of Days (7:1-28) when Danie’l was 67; the 551 BC prophecy of the Ram and Male Goat (8:1-27) when Dani’el was 69; and the 539 BC prophecy of the Fall of Babylon (5:1-31) when Dani’el was 81. But now in 539 BC, he was about to receive another prophecy.

I, Dani’el, understood from the Scriptures. The Hebrew term for Scriptures, sepharim, plural, meaning that Dani’el studied more than merely the scroll of Jeremiah. Most likely, he also studied Leviticus, First Kings, Isaiah, and Hosea. From Jeremiah, Dani’el would have learned about the figure of seventy years because the prophet twice predicted that the Babylonian Captivity would last seven decades (Jeremiah 25:10-14 and 29:10-14). From Isaiah, Dani’el would have learned about Cyrus, whom the prophet named twice (Isaiah 44:28 and 45:1). From Leviticus, First Kings, Jeremiah, and Hosea, Dani’el would have learned that repentance was a prerequisite for the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom (Leviticus 26:40-43; First Kings 8:46-53; Jeremiah 3:12-18; and Hosea 5:15 to 6:3).

A whole generation had passed since Jeremiah had written his scroll; nevertheless, Dani’el considered the writings of Jeremiah the prophet to be the inspired word of ADONAI. This is the first time Dani’el used God’s personal name YHVH. This is known as the Tetragrammaton, meaning the Name, the four-letter name of God. Therefore, God does not have many names, He has only one name – YHVH (Yud Hay Vav Hay). All the other names in the Bible describe His characteristics and His attributes. This is the first time Dani’el used God’s personal Name. There is a good reason why Dani’el used the name YHVH in this particular chapter.²⁸⁶

It was the first year of the rule of Darius the Mede. Belshazzar was gone (see Ct – Belshazzar was Killed). It was a time of transition, and Dani’el was diligently studying the Scriptures. He was looking for the answer that the Israelites could continually ask in exile: How long, ADONAI (8:13)? Dani’el wrote that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years (9:2). Dani’el calculated that the seventy years were nearing completion because Dani’el and the first captives had been taken to Babylon in 605 BC (see Jeremiah Gt – In the Thirty-Seventh Year, Jehoiachin Released from Prison), and at the time of Dani’el’s writing it was 539 BC, sixty-seven after that event. As he read Jeremiah’s prophecies to find the answer, and he found this: This whole country will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years. “But when the seventy years are fulfilled, I will punish the king of Babylon and his nation, the land of the Babylonians, for their guilt,” declares ADONAI, “and will make it desolate forever” (Jeremiah 25:11-12). John Calvin (1509 to 1564) observed, “Although Dani’el was an interpreter of dreams, he was not so elated with the confidence or pride as to despise the teaching delivered by other prophets.” He was seeking to have his mind informed and his heart dominated by whatever God had said about his current situation. Now he felt that he understood the significance of those seventy years in the desolation of Jerusalem.

Dani’el’s reaction is of great significance. It reveals his practical sensitivity to the biblical teaching on divine sovereignty and human responsibility. He knew what ADONAI foreordained. Jeremiah’s prophecy was not conditional in character. It was an unconditional and specific statement of intention. Yet rather than say, “Well, if God is going to do it, there is no need for me to do anything,” Dani’el devoted himself to prayer (see Cx – Dani’el’s Prayer).²⁸⁷

Dear heavenly Father, praise You for giving the Living Word, the Scriptures which can judge even hidden motives of the heart and can foretell future events with complete 100% accuracy!. For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword – piercing right through to a separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Yes, hope of deliverance from the evil of this world, is again assured for those who trust in You. Hallelujah! For ADONAI Elohei-Tzva’ot reigns! Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready (Revelation 19:6b-7). May Your Bride rejoice in Your soon return. May she live courageously for you while still on earth, and bring You much glory by praising You for how wonderful You are! In Messiah Yeshua’s holy Name and power of His resurrection. Amen