A Strong Faith
Adult 1 Sunday School Class January 28, 2018 Daniel 10:10-19
Theme: Sometimes circumstances of life cause us to feel like we can’t go on. Where can we find strength to do so? Daniel found strength in prayer and from the angel sent by God to encourage him and answer his prayer.
Please interpret the meaning of the following verses.
The interpretation of the verses is in bold print which follows the original verse in regular print.
Daniel 10:10 and 11 “And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. 11. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.” Here, an angel of the Lord, probably Gabriel, although not identified as such, touches him in a vision so powerful that Daniel falls down and is trembling. Daniel is the only one who sees the angel, among the other people with him. When he is knocked down by the presence of the angel, the others run away in terror. The angel tells Daniel to stand up, for he has something to tell him. The angel refers to him as “greatly beloved” meaning to be held in high esteem.
* v.12, “Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.” The angel informs Daniel that the Lord had heard his words on the first day, even though he did not receive a response until after three weeks of fasting and praying. He had humbled himself (“chasten thyself”) in the eyes of the Lord. This experience has made him weak, but attentive to listen and respond to the Lord. This is what the Lord asks of us because we are ready to receive instruction regardless of how dire our situation may be.
* v13 and 14, “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. 14. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.” Here the angel reiterates that God heard Daniel’s prayer, yet it took 21 days before he could reach him due to supernatural impeding (evil) forces that Gabriel needed help from the angel Michael. The prince of the kingdom of Persia, an evil force, disrupted Gabriel from coming immediately until Michael could assist Gabriel and free him from the strong Persian powers. Daniel was told that another vision would be coming to explain future events that would affect Daniel and his people. He must have been depressed because he had read and seen the destruction of Jerusalem; and he prayed and fasted when he and his people might return to rebuild.
*v. 15, 16, and 17, “And when he had spoken each words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb. 16. And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. 17. For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. “Daniel has had a horrific experience with his encounter with this angel. He has been completely drained of any strength he might have had. He feels that he (Daniel) is like a slave speaking to his master (Gabriel), and he ponders how could he speak with him. Daniel feels that as a result of this vision and those to come, he is on the low end of the hierarchy, and recognizes his humble position.
v.18 and 19, “Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, 19. And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak: for thou hast strengthened me.” After fasting he is physically weak, and the surprise visit by the angel only added to his anguish. But then when the messenger touches him, Daniel realizes that the angel resembling a human form was from a heavenly realm. The messenger encourages him to be strong; that he is precious in God’s eyes and to not be afraid. This encouragement begins to strengthen Daniel’s composure and he is ready to hear God’s word. In verses 20 and 21, the angel tells Daniel why he came. “It is written in the “Book of Truth” that Gabriel will return to fight the guardian angel of Persia, followed by the guardian angel of Greece will appear. There will be no one to help Gabriel except Michael, Israel’s guardian angel. This lesson tends to suggest a correlation between heavenly and earthly warfare.
A LESSON FOR US ALL
In times of trouble, Daniel turned to God’s Word (9:2), as well as praying and fasting for understanding and strength. God responded to Daniel with Gabriel who brought him the strength and understanding that he required. Even though Gabriel was delayed due to the evil forces of Persia, the angel Michael came to his rescue. WE, LIKE DANIEL, SHOULD REMEMBER, THAT A PRAYER DELAYED IS NOT A PRAYER DENIED. KEEP THE FAITH.