An Exceptional and Unusual Man

O. T. #2010  "An Exceptional and Unusual Man"

August 25, 2021

Daniel 10

LET IT GLOW

I would certainly like to be able to skip the rest of the book, but can't. It is just as important to finish studying what Daniel experienced. I wondered why these events happened. and then I found my answers. First, many people have joined us from foreign nations, so God has His children everywhere that want to study His Truth. Some may only be curious, but that is okay. They still get the Word of God here. This nobody that I am knows the Somebody that loves them and I want to share with everybody what He has to say.

This remarkable experience or vision happened to Daniel during the third year of Cyrus, the Persian king, who was ruling Babylon. Daniel was about 84 or 85 years old by this time. He had shared with Nebuchadnezzar the meaning/interpretation of his dream concerning the future empires to rule the world. (Before Jesus came, that is.) So in the future, Greece, Rome, the antichrist, and Christ were going to be rulers to come.

This praying prophet continued to be faithful to his God, the God of Israel. He had even been thrown into the lions den because of his praying not to the king and disobeying the law and survived. also, Daniel had interpreted the handwriting on the wall for king Belshazzar.

Daniel was greatly beloved (precious) of Living God. This chapter took place during the third year of Cyrus being king. Gabriel had come to Daniel explaining the vision that Daniel had in chapter 9, after reading Jeremiah.

The Wiersbe Bible Commentary explains why Daniel had been praying, fasting, and used no ointments as he sought the face of the Lord:

1. He was concerned for those fellow 50,000 Jews who had returned  a year before to Jerusalem in order to rebuild the city and the Temple there.
2. Undoubtedly he had heard that the work had been opposed and finally stopped (Ezra 4). Suffering hardships in the ruined city may have caused Daniel to wonder if God would fail to fulfill the promised He made to Jeremiah in chapters 25 and 29. Although a 16 year delay was actually on schedule. He is never late in accomplishing His will. Our times are in God's hands (Psalm 31:15)
3. Perhaps Daniel wanted to better understand the visions and prophecies he had already received. He could have desired more truth about Israel's future. So he could leave encouragements and strength for his people. God is faithful and one day they would enter into the promised kingdom, even though trials and persecutions were to be had.
4. God had laid a burden on Daniel's heart, and we are studying his prophecies because of his faithfulness to pray and fast. He was mourning over his fellow Jews and agonizing in prayer for them.

I don't know about you, but that helps me see that we must carry on studying God's Word and sharing it with others. We have hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

LET IT GROW

Daniel was with some others standing by the Tigris River, when he received a vision in verses 5-7. Only Daniel saw an exceptional and unusual man, a majestic-figure, which looked like Christ in Revelation 1. It could have been the pre-incarnate appearance of Christ as in Exodus 23 and 33.

• He was clothed in linen, wearing a gold belt;
• He had a face like lightning and eyes as lamps of fire;
• His arms and feet were like the color of polished brass;
• His voice was like those of a multitude.

Wow! No wonder those men ran away when a great quaking came. They did not see the vision, but they felt the terror of a powerful presence and hid. Daniel was alone, without strength, listening to the man's worlds, but not able to respond. Daniel fell into a deep sleep with his face on the ground. Maybe this emotionally overwhelmed Daniel and he passed out, slumped to the ground as the angelic figure spoke.

I think we would tremble if we could have a glimpse into the spirit world around us. It would shake us up, too.

 

LET IT GO

May we leave something behind in the journey of life so that those who come after us will be encouraged and helped.

Renew us, Jesus, for we fail You so much of the time.

We believe in God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Help the helpless, give hope to the hopeless, light in the darkness, and peace to the restless.

There is on one like our God. Be the Lord of us, this nation, and Israel. Protect us from the evil ones. Glory to God in the Highest.