QT 01/10/2025 Wed. Daniel 9 The Power of Repentance and God's Faithfulness 悔改的力量与神的信实
QT 01/10/2025 Wed. Daniel 9 The Power of Repentance and God's Faithfulness
READ http://www.esv.org/daniel9
Daniel 9 opens with a prayer of deep repentance and intercession for the people of Israel. The context is critical: Israel is in exile in Babylon, and Daniel knows from the writings of the prophet Jeremiah that the exile would last seventy years (Jeremiah 25:11–12). Recognizing the consequences of Israel's sin, Daniel humbly seeks God's mercy and pleads for the restoration of the nation.
(1) The Importance of Repentance (Daniel 9:3-19)
Daniel’s prayer in verses 3–19 is a beautiful and convicting model of confession. The prophet begins by acknowledging God's greatness and justice, and then he humbly confesses the sins of Israel. He doesn't sugarcoat or deny their rebellion but acknowledges the severity of the situation.
"We have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from Your commandments and rules." (Daniel 9:5)
As Daniel confesses, we see the depth of Israel's transgression: it was not merely a failure of obedience, but a complete turning away from God's commandments. Daniel takes full responsibility, even though he was not personally responsible for the exile.
Reflection:
In our lives, repentance is not just about acknowledging a few mistakes—it’s about recognizing our rebellion against God, our turning aside from His ways, and seeking His mercy with sincerity. Repentance opens the door for God's grace to heal and restore.
(2) God's Faithfulness to His Covenant (Daniel 9:4-6, 16-19)
Despite Israel’s failures, Daniel calls upon God’s covenant faithfulness. He does not remind God of Israel's righteousness or deserving anything, but of God’s own character:
"O Lord, according to all Your righteous acts, let Your anger and Your wrath turn away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy hill." (Daniel 9:16)
Daniel bases his plea not on Israel's merits but on God’s mercy and covenant promises. Even though Israel was unfaithful, God’s faithfulness remains. Daniel’s prayer acknowledges that God is the ultimate source of restoration and forgiveness, and only He can reverse the consequences of their sin.
Reflection:
As believers, we can take comfort in knowing that God is faithful, even when we are faithless. His promises are unshakable, and His mercy is new every morning. When we come before Him in repentance, we can trust that He will forgive because of His steadfast love, not because of our goodness.
(3) The Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks (Daniel 9:24-27)
The latter part of Daniel 9 is often considered one of the most profound and debated prophecies in Scripture: the prophecy of the seventy weeks. In this prophecy, God reveals His ultimate plan for the salvation of His people.
"Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity..." (Daniel 9:24)
The seventy weeks (or seventy sevens) symbolise a period of time in which God will accomplish His divine purpose for Israel, culminating in the coming of the Messiah. Verse 26 speaks of the Messiah being "cut off"—a clear reference to the crucifixion of Jesus. This passage reveals that God’s plan for redemption is both urgent and inevitable. It would take place within the span of time, but it would be fulfilled through the suffering and death of the Messiah.
Reflection:
Daniel’s prophecy reminds us of God’s sovereign plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. Even though Israel was in exile, God was already laying the groundwork for a deeper salvation—one that would extend beyond national Israel to all people. For us today, we can be confident that God's plan for redemption is in motion, and that through Jesus, we are part of the fulfillment of these promises.
(4) The Call to Trust God’s Sovereign Timing (Daniel 9:24-27)
While the prophecy of the seventy weeks seems cryptic and complex, it underscores a powerful truth: God is in control of history. The events unfolding in Israel’s exile were not random or beyond God's reach. He had a timetable, a plan that would eventually bring an end to sin, fulfill His promises, and establish His kingdom.
Reflection:
When we face challenges, personal trials, or even the seeming delay of God’s promises in our own lives, we can trust that God has a perfect, sovereign plan. His timing may not always align with our expectations, but we can trust in His wisdom and faithfulness. Just as He had a plan for Israel, He has a plan for our lives—a plan that will bring about His glory and our good.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for the powerful reminders of Your faithfulness in the book of Daniel. Help us to come before You in genuine repentance, trusting in Your mercy and grace. May we live with the confidence that Your plan for redemption is unshakable, and that through Jesus Christ, we have forgiveness and eternal life. We trust You, Lord, in Your perfect timing and in Your sovereign will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
QT 01/10/2025 星期三. 但以理书 9 悔改的力量与神的信实
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/dan/9/
但以理书第九章以但以理为以色列民献上深刻的悔改与代求祷告开篇。背景至关重要：以色列正遭巴比伦囚禁，但以理从先知耶利米的书卷得知这囚禁将持续七十年（耶利米书25:11-12）。深知以色列罪孽的后果，但以理谦卑寻求神的怜悯，恳求国家得蒙复兴。
(1) 悔改的重要性（但以理书9:3-19）
第3至19节的祷告是充满力量的认罪范本。先知先宣告神的伟大与公义，继而谦卑承认以色列的罪孽。他毫不粉饰或否认百姓的叛逆，直指罪恶的严重性：
“我们犯了罪，行了不义，作了恶，背叛了你，偏离了你的诫命典章。”（但以理书9:5）
但以理的认罪揭示了以色列罪孽的深度：这不仅是顺服的失败，更是对神诫命的彻底背离。尽管流亡之责不在己身，但以理仍承担起全部责任。
反思：
在我们生命中，悔改不仅是承认几个错误——而是认清我们对神的叛逆，认清我们偏离祂道路的事实，并以真诚寻求祂的怜悯。悔改为神的恩典开启了医治与恢复的大门。
(2) 神对立约的信实（但以理书9:4-6, 16-19）
尽管以色列屡屡失信，但以理仍呼求神立约的信实。他并非提醒神以色列的义行或应得的报偿，而是指明神自身的品格：
"主啊！求你按着你的一切公义，使你的怒气和忿怒转离你的城耶路撒冷，就是你的圣山...”（但以理书9:16）
但以理的恳求并非基于以色列的功绩，而是仰赖神的怜悯与立约应许。纵然以色列背约，神的信实永不改变。但以理的祷告承认：唯有神是复兴与赦免的终极源头，唯独祂能扭转罪带来的后果。
反思：
作为信徒，我们可因认识到神的信实而得安慰——即便我们背信弃义。祂的应许永不动摇，祂的怜悯每日都是新的。当我们带着悔改来到祂面前，便可确信祂必因祂的慈爱赦免我们，而非因我们的良善。
(3) 七十个七日的预言（但以理书9:24-27）
但以理书后半部常被视为圣经中最深奥且最具争议的预言——七十个七的预言。在此预言中，神揭示了祂拯救子民的终极计划。
“为你的同胞和你的圣城，已经定了七十个七，要结束过犯，终止罪恶，遮盖罪孽，引进永义，封住异象和预言，并且膏抹至圣所（“至圣所”或译：“至圣者”）。”（但以理书9:24）
七十个七（或七十个七）象征着上帝为以色列成就神圣旨意的时期，最终将迎来弥赛亚的降临。第26节提到弥赛亚将被“剪除”——这显然预示着耶稣的受难。这段经文揭示了上帝救赎计划的紧迫性与必然性。救赎将在特定时限内实现，却要通过弥赛亚的受难与死亡来成就。
反思：
但以理的预言提醒我们，上帝通过耶稣基督实施的救赎计划具有至高主权。纵使以色列民流亡异乡，上帝早已为更深层的救赎奠定根基——这救恩将超越以色列国度，延伸至全人类。今日我们当确信：救赎计划正持续推进，借着耶稣，我们已成为应许成就的一部分。
(4) 信靠神主权时间的呼召（但以理书9:24-27）
七十个七日的预言看似晦涩复杂，却彰显一个至关重要的真理：上帝掌管历史进程。以色列被掳期间发生的事件并非偶然，更非上帝掌控之外。祂自有时间表，自有计划，终将终结罪恶、成就应许、建立祂的国度。
反思：
当我们面对挑战、个人试炼，甚至看似上帝应许在我们生命中延迟实现时，我们仍可确信上帝拥有完美的主权计划。祂的时机或许不总符合我们的期待，但我们能信靠祂的智慧与信实。正如祂为以色列制定计划，祂也为我们的人生预备了计划——这计划终将彰显祂的荣耀，并成就我们的益处。
祷告：
天父，感谢祢在但以理书中以大能的提醒彰显祢的信实。求祢帮助我们怀着真诚的悔改来到祢面前，倚靠祢的怜悯与恩典。愿我们活出这样的确信：祢救赎的计划永不动摇，借着耶稣基督，我们已得赦免并拥有永生。主啊，我们信靠祢完美的时机与至高的旨意。奉耶稣的名求。阿们。
