"THE BOOK OF DANIEL"

Chapter Nine

In the first year of Darius (539 B.C.), understanding that Jeremiah's prophecy of 70 years of captivity has been fulfilled (Jer 25:11), Daniel confesses his nation's sins and prays that God will restore them (1-19). In response, Gabriel is sent to give Daniel understanding of key events that will take place in a time period of 70 "weeks" (lit., "sevens"), one of the most challenging prophecies in the Bible (20-27).

POINTS TO PONDER
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  1. What are the main points of this chapter?
    • Daniel's prayer for his people Dan 9:1-19
    • The vision of seventy weeks Dan 9:20-27
  2. What prompted Daniel to pray with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes? (2-3)
    • Jeremiah's prophecy concerning the 70 years of captivity which had been fulfilled
  3. List some of the sins mentioned by Daniel that Israel had committed (4-10)
    • Rebellion, failure to heed the prophets, unfaithfulness, failure to walk in God's laws
  4. What had come upon Israel for their sin? (11-14)
    • The curse and oath written in the Law, involving great disaster (cf. Lev 26:27-45)
  5. For what does Daniel pray God regarding Jerusalem and the sanctuary? (16-19)
    • To turn away his anger, cause His face to shine; to hear, forgive, and not delay
  6. Who was caused to fly swiftly to Daniel because of his supplications? (22-23)
    • Gabriel, whom he had seen earlier (cf. Dan 8:16)
  7. List six things that were to happen within the period of seventy "weeks" (24)
    • To finish the transgression
    • To make an end of sins
    • To make reconciliation for iniquity
    • To bring in everlasting righteousness
    • To seal up vision and prophecy
    • To anoint the Most Holy
  8. What events would occur in the course of this prophecy's fulfillment? (25-27)
    • A command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, followed by 69 weeks
    • The coming of the Messiah who would in turn be cut off, but not for Himself
    • The destruction of the city and the sanctuary with war and desolations
    • The confirmation of a covenant with many for one week
    • The end to sacrifice and offering in the middle of the week
    • The coming of one who with abomination brings desolation upon the desolate