Sunday Sermons
Daniel, Chapter 10
Daniel
Chapter 10
10:1 “In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia”: The third year of Cyrus would have been 536 B.C. By this time Jewish exiles had already returned from Babylon and had begun rebuilding the temple. Israel’s captivity had ended, Jerusalem was being reoccupied, and the nation seemed to be at peace (Ezra 1:1:1-4; 3:1,8)
10:2 “and the message was true and one of great conflict”: Daniel goes on to tell us that he “had understanding of the vision”. In this he is not claiming that he understood it all, for subsequent passages make it clear he did not (10:12-14). He did, however, understand that there was war and hardships involved in it because it drove him to his knees. The vision given Daniel at this time shattered any hope the prophet might have had that Israel would enjoy her new freedom and peace for long.
10:2-3 For people in the east a part of daily life was the anointing oneself with oil. Only those who were sick or in mourning or facing a crisis did not anoint themselves. This helps explain James 5:14 where the elders anointed the sick with oil and then prayed for them. It was an expression of faith, that the person was about to get well and take his or her place among the rest of society. This is true also in Mark 6:13 where a miracle is about to be performed so that there can be no suggestion that the oil being used had miraculous qualities. When I see Daniel praying so fervently I wonder if we are equally concerned about the fate of God’s people, the church today? Daniel clearly identified with what God’s people were experiencing, and fervently prayed to God for their sake. Compare with Luke 22:31-32; 2 Corinthians 11:28-29.
10:4 After three weeks, Daniel was visited by a messenger as the prophet was standing by the Tigris River. For some reason, possibly age or government responsibilities, Daniel did not return to Jerusalem. The first month in the Jewish calendar was the month of Nisan, and the Passover feast had taken place on the 14th day of this month.
10:5-6 The following is a description of the heavenly messenger that appeared to Daniel. He appeared in the form of a man, dressed in linen (symbolizing purity?), girded with a pure gold belt. The term “Uphaz” (YOU faz) is an unknown place from which gold was brought. The term “beryl”(BERH ul) refers to a rare silver-white metal similar to aluminum. Beryl ranged in color from bluish green to yellow, white, pink, and deep green. The voice of this man thundered like the roar of a crowd. Some believe that this is Jesus, but verse 13 makes it clear that he is one of the angels. Here is a description of what angels look like when they appear to mankind.
10:7 Daniel’s companions may have seen the brilliance of a light without seeing the visitor, or they might have felt his presence. It appears that this being might have restricted his appearance so that Daniel was the only one who saw him. Daniel’s companions participated in the event enough to realize the manifestation was supernatural and enough to cause them to quake with fear and flee to hide. A New Testament parallel to this is Paul and his companions on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3f). Remember, Daniel is a very old man at this time, but his companions forgot all about Daniel when this being appeared.
10:8 “The directness of this revelation literally drained every bit of physical strength from Daniel. Whatever appearance of health and strength Daniel had, had disappeared. It would be good for those who treat visions from the Lord and visits from angels lightly, claiming many such visions indiscriminately, to note how severely even a saint like Daniel was affected” (Butler p. 375). Godly men in the past understood their frailty and imperfection in the presence of a holy and just God (Isaiah 6:1-3; Jeremiah 1:4-19).
10:9 Evidently, Daniel immediately fell prostrate and in that position fell asleep. He was then aroused by this messenger (10:10).
10:11 “O Daniel, man of high esteem”: That is, in the eyes of God, Daniel is a great man (9:23; 10:19). As we are tempted to chase the praise and rewards of this world, what is worth more than to be praised by God? Jesus said of His contemporaries,“How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another, and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God?” (John 5:44). Searching for human praise is a temptation, even for religious people (Matthew 6:1-4), yet what could be more valuable, lasting, and important, than to hear from God, “Do not be afraid, for you have found favor with God” (Luke 1:30)? Daniel had made many sacrifices and had endured many difficult situations, but he is right with God. Does not this statement send the message that it had all been worth it? Could it be said of us, “and his praise is not from men, but from God” (Romans 2:29)?
10:12 “I have come in response to your words”: God hears and answers prayer! We do take prayer for granted. Daniel’s prayer, the prayer of a mere mortal were heard by the Creator, and heaven acted. Here we learn that Daniel had been attempting to understand the vision given to him and he had been praying for wisdom (James 1:5). In addition, Daniel’s prayer was a demonstration of his humility and his utter dependence upon God.
10:13 “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days”: These verses and verses 20-21 form some of the most interesting glimpses in all of the Bible on the subject of angels and battles that take place in the spiritual realm. Around this time period, work on the temple in Jerusalem stopped due to opposition in Palestine against the Jews. This opposition had succeeded in convincing the Persian government to bring the work in Jerusalem to a halt (Ezra 4:1-24). Some believe that the prince of the kingdom of Persia is the literal king of Persia, but it seems hard to imagine how a mere mortal could prevent an angel from coming to Daniel. Others believe that this individual is Satan or one of his representatives.
Points to Note
God ultimately rules in the kingdoms of men, that is, He has final control over their rise and fall (Daniel 5:21; Jeremiah 18). What is also true is that nations, just like individuals, can embark on a course that moves away from God and thus end up in the hands of Satan. This is one reason why Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus would fall down and worship him(Luke 4:6). This is also why Satan is called by Jesus “the prince of this world” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). From the standpoint that Paul exhorts us to put on the whole armor of God, because we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of wickedness, it would appear that Satan still seeks to deceive nations and use them to persecute God’s people(Ephesians 6:11-12; 1 John 5:19). No wonder that John, in the Revelation letter, speaks of Satan as the one who “deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:9). In every nation, Satan and his angels seek to influence decisions that will hinder the preaching of the gospel and hinder the spread of God’s truth.
10:13 “Then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me”: This Michael is known especially as the champion of God’s people. Chapter 12:1 speaks of him as “the great prince who standeth for the children of Thy people”. Michael intervenes to help this heavenly messenger and this enabled him to finally come to Daniel. Michael is also spoken of in Jude 9 “Michael the archangel… disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses”. Michael and Satan have had various confrontations (Revelation 12:7). On each occasion, the devil is beaten and overcome! McGuiggan notes, “I don’t know Michael but I’m glad he’s on our side” (p. 169.
10:13 “For I had been left there with the kings of Persia”: It appears that this angel and the “prince of Persia” had been fighting over the direction of the Persian government, and this is one reason why he had been unable to come to Daniel. Notice the plural “kings”, “After the present king shall have passed from the scene, the same angelic influence from God will remain with his successors. This should be especially comforting for the people of Daniel to know” (Butler p. 380). Note that the fact that certain angels are greater or mightier than others does not cause any rivalry or opposition among them. It is interesting to note the harmonious cooperation between God’s angels in carrying out His work. One helps the other where help is needed.
10:14 “Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days”: This expression, “the latter days” does not refer to the end of time, rather the vision will apply to what will happen to the Jewish nation. In verse 20, the latter days covers the era when Persia and Greece will rule over God’s people, and chapter 11 deals with that era in detail.
10:15-17 Despite the fact that he knows what is going on around him, Daniel is overwhelmed by the awesome messenger and finds himself unable to hold a conversation. “It would not hurt us to be more awed by sacred things” (McGuiggan p. 169). Daniel found himself dumbfounded, unable to find words in human language to adequately express himself to this glorious one. The phrase touching my lips may refer to the angel giving Daniel divine assistance to find boldness to address the supernatural.
10:18-19 Before the messengers of God, a righteous man has nothing to fear. Notice how God is compassionate and merciful with His servants and how He seeks to make them comfortable with the world that is beyond. I know that many believers are uneasy with the idea of Jesus coming again, or with the thought of death, but God strengthens and encourages His people in such situations. Note that a righteous man should take courage and be courageous even in the presence of an angel, for he too is a son of God.
10:20 Having made his commission clear, he tells Daniel he will reveal the message and then return to contend against the evil forces behind the Persian kingdom. Even though the kingdom is ultimately in the hand of God, the direction of that kingdom, for good or evil, to be against or supportive of God’s people is being fought. It is worth remembering that behind our present government, the forces of good and evil are fighting a battle for the direction of the nation in which we live.
10:20 “Behold, the prince of Greece is about to come”: As soon as the conflict with Persia ends with the end of that Empire, another Empire will arise, the Greek empire, and the same struggle will be waged for the direction of that nation. It seems that Satan attempts to corrupt every nation that arises and every administration that comes on the scene.
10:21 “What is inscribed in the writing of truth”: This might be God’s plans for Israel under Persian and Greek rule, plans that would be incorporated into Scripture. “Is a phrase to inform Daniel that the history which is about to be revealed (chapter 11) contains events of which God’s wisdom alone bear record, and as always, is infallibly accurate” (Butler p. 385). God’s people may have powerful opponents (as we do today), but we also have powerful allies “Michael your prince”. Michael and this angel are assigned by God to stand against the evil forces that would use the Persian and Greek empires to destroy God’s people.
Mark Dunagan/Beaverton Church of Christ/503-644-9017
www.beavertonchurchofchrist.net/mdunagan@easystreet.com
