Daniel Study: Daniel 9 – Daniel's Prayer and Prediction of Seventy Seven-Year Periods

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NOTES

Daniel 1: The Introduction

Chapter 1 introduces the historical context of Daniel’s deportation to Babylon following Nebuchadnezzar’s siege of Jerusalem in 605 BC. Daniel was among the royal Jewish captives first extradited to Babylon.

Upon Daniel’s arrival, he and three companions were confronted with a difficult choice between defiling themselves with the king’s appointed ration of choice food and wine or risking their lives by abstaining from the food for the sake of remaining undefiled in the sight of God. God rewards Daniel’s righteous decision to abstain by granting him favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials. God also endows Daniel and his three companions with exceptional knowledge, wisdom, and intelligence that results in the honor of entering into the king’s personal service.

Daniel 2: Daniel’s Interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s First Dream

Chapter 2 explains God’s supernatural equipping of Daniel to reveal Nebuchadnezzar’s first dream and its interpretation, demonstrating God’s covenant attentiveness to His exiles. The dream reveals four successive Gentile dominions preceding the establishment of God’s messianic kingdom that will never be destroyed. After Daniel reveals Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and its interpretation, Daniel is promoted as ruler over Babylon and chief prefect over all its wise men.

Daniel 3: Nebuchadnezzar’s Command and the Courageous Response of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego

Nebuchadnezzar erects a great image of gold, commanding peoples, nations and men of every language to fall down and worship the golden image when hearing musical instruments. The king’s decree includes the penalty of being immediately cast into a furnace of blazing fire for anyone refusing to worship the image.

After the Chaldeans report the refusal of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego to worship the image, Nebuchadnezzar gives urgent orders for them to be cast into a furnace of blazing fire. The three men are tied up and cast into the furnace. When Nebuchadnezzar and his high officials look into the furnace, they are astounded to see four men walking unharmed in the midst of the fire. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego exit the fire unsinged. Nebuchadnezzar then issues a decree forbidding an offensive word to be spoken against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, whom the king causes to prosper.

Daniel 4: Daniel’s Interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s Second Dream Predicting the King’s Insanity

Chapter 4 provides Nebuchadnezzar’s narrative of his second dream and Daniel’s interpretation of the dream as a prediction of the king’s temporary insanity. The dream is of a great spreading tree that a messenger from heaven commands to be cut down. Daniel interprets the tree as Nebuchadnezzar himself, predicting that Nebuchadnezzar would dwell among the beasts of the field for a seven-year period before finally ascribing glory to God. Afterwards, his mental health and kingdom are restored.

Daniel 5: Daniel’s Interpretation of the Miraculous Writing on the Wall

Chapter 5 records Daniel’s interpretation of a mysterious inscription on the palace wall of Belshazzar, the king of Babylon, coregent with Nabonidus (556–538 BC), and son of Nebuchadnezzar. During a great feast on the eve of the Persian conquest of Babylon (538 BC), Belshazzar was drinking out of the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem when a hand emerged and began writing on the palace wall. Seeing the hand, Belshazzar becomes alarmed and calls for the wise men.

After the wise men fail to interpret the inscription, Daniel is brought to Belshazzar, at the queen’s request. Daniel interprets the message to read, “‘MENE’ ­­– God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it. ‘TEKEL’ – you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient. ‘PERES’ – your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians” (Dan 5:26-28). Belshazzar is slain that same night and Darius the Mede receives the kingdom, fulfilling the words spoken by Daniel.

Daniel 6: Daniel in the Lion’s Den

Chapter 6 tells the familiar narrative of Daniel in the lion’s den. As a result of the plotting of his political subordinates, Daniel is cast into the lion’s den by King Darius the Mede for defying the injunction against petitioning a god or man except the king. Just as God had miraculously protected Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in the furnace of fire, God closes the lions’ mouths so that they do not harm Daniel. While Daniel is delivered and enjoys success, his accusers are thrown into the den and crushed by the lions.

Daniel 7: Daniel’s Vision of Four Beasts

Chapter 7 marks the transition from historical narrative (Dan 1–6) to predictive prophecy (Dan 7–12). The predictions in Daniel 7–12 concern events that extend from the days of Daniel to the coming of Messiah, including predictions of his first and second advents. The predictive prophecy is revealed through four visions of Daniel that occurred during the period of history covered in the first six chapters.

Chapter 7 describes and interprets the first vision of Daniel which occurs in the first year of Belshazzar (553 BC). Daniel is about 67-years old when he receives the first vision of four beasts symbolizing Babylon (Lion), Medo-Persia (Bear), Greece (Leopard), and Rome (Strong Beast). The vision extends into the last days during the reigns of ten kings (ten horns) and the Antichrist (little horn), culminating with the reign of Messiah to Whom the Ancient of Days gives an everlasting dominion which will not be destroyed.

Daniel 8: Daniel’s Vision of a Ram and a Goat

Chapter 8 records the second vision of Daniel pertaining to a portion of time within the previous vision. The Medo-Persian and Greek empires are depicted respectively as a ram with two horns and a male goat with a single horn that eventually breaks off and becomes four horns. The angel Gabriel interprets the vision as pertaining to the time of the end. The king of Greece who arises in the latter period of the reign of the four kings oppresses the Jews, foreshadowing the Antichrist of future history. Daniel is exhausted and sick for days because of the astounding vision about which he is told to keep secret.

Daniel 9: Daniel’s Prayer and Prediction of Seventy Sevens

Chapter 9 is divided into two parts. Verses 1-19 record Daniel’s prayer and verses 20-27 provide God’s response delivered through the angel Gabriel. Based on Jeremiah’s prophecy that the exile would last seventy years (Jer 25:12; 29:10), Daniel seeks God by prayer and supplications, with fasting, confessing the sins of the nation and seeking God’s compassion for His people who are called by His name.

The angel Gabriel delivers God’s message that includes a prophecy of seventy seven-year periods (490 years) that are ordained for God’s people. The first sixty-nine periods (483 years) are completed at Messiah’s first advent. The final seventieth period (7 years) is of principal importance as it pertains to the Tribulation period that transpires just before the second advent of Messiah Jesus.

STUDY QUESTIONS

1.   What is the time of Daniel’s observation in the books? Who is the Chaldean king? (9:1-2a)

2.   What does Daniel observe in the books containing the words of Jeremiah regarding the total years of the exile (Jerusalem’s desolation)? How many years does Jeremiah prophesy the exile will last? (9:2)

3.   (C) Jeremiah ministered as a prophet to Judah in the years leading to their exile (627–580 BC). What do the prophetic words of Jeremiah reveal about the exile in the following verses?
Jer 25:1                                Jer 25:12                                   Jer 29:10

4.   As Daniel realizes the 70-year exile is nearing its end, how does he seek the Lord God? (9:3)

5.   (PR) Write a brief principle regarding prayer from the following verses.

2Sam 24:25

1Kings 8:54; 9:3; 2Chr 7:1

1Kings 13:6

2Kings 6:17-18

2Kings 19:14-20

2Kings 20:5

1Chron 5:20

2Chron 7:14

Ezra 10:1

Neh 1:4-6

Ps 35:13

Ps 102:17
Ps 141:2
Ps 143:1

Prov 15:29
Dan 6:10
Matt 5:44
Matt 6:5-9

Mark 11:24-25

Rom 12:12
Eph 6:18-19
Phil 4:6

Col 4:2-3
1Thess 5:17
2Thess 3:1
1Tim 2:1
1Tim 5:5
2Tim 1:3
Heb 5:7
James 5:13-18
1Pet 3:12
1Pet 4:7

Rev 8:3-4

(A) What principle will you apply to your prayers this week?

6.   List phrases describing God in the opening of Daniel’s prayer.  (9:4) (A) Beside each phrase, explain how these attributes of God impact your thinking and relationship with God.
(A) Write a refrain of praise using the attributes of God that mean the most to you today.

7.   List phrases describing the sins that Daniel confesses on behalf of himself and people of Israel. (9:5-6) (A) Write a prayer of confession for your sins and the sins of Christians today.

8.   Contrast what belongs to the Lord and what belongs to “us”? Why did God drive Israel far away in other countries? Against Whom did they commit unfaithful deeds? (9:7-10)

9.   Why has the curse been poured out, along with the oath written in the law of Moses? (9:11) How did God confirm His words spoken against them and their rulers who ruled them? (9:12) Even with all this calamity, what did they not seek? What are two things that they could they have done to seek the favor of the LORD? (9:13) What was the result of their refusal to seek Him? (9:14)

10.  What had God done? What had the people done? (9:15) After confessing their sins before God, list Daniel’s specific petitions describing what he wants God to do in the following verses:
9:16
9:17

9:18
9:19
(A) Write a prayer describing what you want God to do for you and for Christians today.

11.  As Daniel is praying, confessing his sin and the sin of his people Israel, presenting his supplication before the Lord God in behalf of the holy mountain of God, while he was still speaking, who comes to him? How is Daniel feeling when he appears? What time is it? (9:20-21)

12.  Why does Gabriel say that he has come to Daniel? (9:22) When was the command issued for Gabriel to go to Daniel? What is Gabriel’s estimation of Daniel? What is Daniel to do? (9:23)

13.  What has been decreed for Daniel’s people and his holy city?
List 6 things that will be accomplished during the seventy seven-year periods: (9:24)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

14.  From the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, how much time will pass before the appearing of Messiah the Prince? (9:25a)

What will be included in the restoration and rebuilding of Jerusalem? (9:25b)

15.   List the events that will take place after sixty-two seven-year periods? (9:26)

16.   During the final seven-year period, what will the Antichrist make with many? (9:27a)

What will the Antichrist do in the middle of the week? (9:27b)

On the wing of abominations, who will come? Until what? (9:27c)

17.   What do you learn about God in Daniel 9?

18.   How could you apply what you have learned about God this week?

Write a prayer response to Daniel 9.

BIBLE TEXT: DANIEL 9 (NASB)

Dan. 9:1   In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of Median descent, who was made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans — ² in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, observed in the books the number of the years which was revealed as the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet for the completion of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. ³ So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes. ⁴ I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed and said, “Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, ⁵ we have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly and rebelled, even turning aside from Your commandments and ordinances. ⁶ “Moreover, we have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings, our princes, our fathers and all the people of the land.

Dan. 9:7   “Righteousness belongs to You, O Lord, but to us open shame, as it is this day — to the men of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those who are nearby and those who are far away in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of their unfaithful deeds which they have committed against You. ⁸ “Open shame belongs to us, O LORD, to our kings, our princes and our fathers, because we have sinned against You. ⁹ “To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him; ¹⁰ nor have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His teachings which He set before us through His servants the prophets. ¹¹ “Indeed all Israel has transgressed Your law and turned aside, not obeying Your voice; so the curse has been poured out on us, along with the oath which is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, for we have sinned against Him. ¹² “Thus He has confirmed His words which He had spoken against us and against our rulers who ruled us, to bring on us great calamity; for under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what was done to Jerusalem. ¹³ “As it is written in the law of Moses, all this calamity has come on us; yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our iniquity and giving attention to Your truth. ¹⁴ “Therefore the LORD has kept the calamity in store and brought it on us; for the LORD our God is righteous with respect to all His deeds which He has done, but we have not obeyed His voice.

Dan. 9:15   “And now, O Lord our God, who have brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand and have made a name for Yourself, as it is this day — we have sinned, we have been wicked. ¹⁶ “O Lord, in accordance with all Your righteous acts, let now Your anger and Your wrath turn away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; for because of our sins and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people have become a reproach to all those around us. ¹⁷ “So now, our God, listen to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplications, and for Your sake, O Lord, let Your face shine on Your desolate sanctuary. ¹⁸ “O my God, incline Your ear and hear! Open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city which is called by Your name; for we are not presenting our supplications before You on account of any merits of our own, but on account of Your great compassion. ¹⁹ “O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”

Dan. 9:20   Now 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 in behalf of the holy mountain of my God, ²¹ while I was still speaking in prayer, then the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision previously, came to me in my extreme weariness about the time of the evening offering. ²² He gave me instruction and talked with me and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you insight with understanding. ²³ “At the beginning of your supplications the command was issued, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed; so give heed to the message and gain understanding of the vision.

Dan. 9:24   “Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place. ²⁵ “So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress. ²⁶ “Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. ²⁷ “And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.”

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