Daniel 9, Prayer Concerning 70 Years

Because of his abilities and integrity, the Persians did not execute Daniel but established him in high office. Although busy amid the affairs of state, the prophet did not cease to study the Word of God. Daniel was obviously perplexed as to how to relate what had been revealed to him in the vision of ch. 8 to the events of the immediate future—the return of the Jews at the end of the 70 years (Jer. 29:10). This period had now almost expired. Little wonder that Daniel's attention was focused upon the time prophecy. He was anxious lest the Lord should delay the liberation of His captive people.

Although the Lord had promised deliverance to His people at the time appointed, Daniel knew of the conditional nature of many of God's promises (see Jer. 18:7—10). He may have feared that the impenitence of his people might postpone the fulfillment of the promise. Moreover, the vision of Dan. 8 had predicted further desolation for the sanctuary and the city. His lack of understanding of "the vision of the evening and the morning" (v. 26) must have left him in deep perplexity. Verses 4—19 record one of the outstanding prayers of the OT. It is a prayer on behalf of the people of God, offered by a sincere petitioner.