(Reflections and notes on Daniel 10. The series has covered the previous chapters in Daniel, you can click here to read those. Previously, Daniel experienced some profound insights regarding the future of God’s people as he confessed the sins for him and the people.)
This is a fascinating episode in the life of Daniel. This is not the recollection of an important political operator. This is the recollection of a man at the heart of a dialogue with God that the ruler of the universe wanted specifically with Him. It’s worth explicitly stating again, that we engage in dialoguse with God through prayer and thischapter is a great insight in how important prayer is in revealing fundamental truths about the world we live in.
This is part one of a three-part series on Daniel’s final recorded vision. The bulk of the content of that vision takes place in chapter 11. The implications and last words on the matter are shared in chapter 12.
In essence, this chapter presents to us a prelude to something that Daniel has to listen to. Something significant that is to come in the following chapter. Yet there is enough in this prelude to establish that what is about to be shared is important. That the message is bad enough for princes of principalities to look to stop the message. There’s something about the message. There’s something about the vision.
It’s fascinating that at the outset a summary gives us information on how the message is dated and the purpose of the word is outlined from the start. It’s particularly noteworthy that, as opposed to a previous occasion where Daniel left a divine encounter not understanding, what was being said here Daniel will receive the understanding.
In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks.
Daniel 10:2-3 (ESV)
Daniel’s voice kicks in and outlines something that should challenge us to the core. Such is Daniel’s concern about something that he won’t leave it alone. Fasting for 3 weeks is called for. In doing so, Daniel is taking this matter seriously to God. In doing that, as Daniel is about to discover, God responds in a way that reveals a lot about the nature of divine interactions and how the realm of the spiritual affects the realm of the natural.
We are then given this remarkable encounter of the divine kind.Those with him may not get the vision, but they experience enough to flee the scene and that’s before a word is said. The description of the being Daniel encounters, has some resemblance to how Jesus will be described by John in Revelation 1. This is clearly not a regular angel, but a messenger of significance. Why I wouldn’t say that this particular messenger is Jesus is because of the resistance he will outline later, but the brilliance of this encounter says a lot about how God values His message and for those who are to receive that mesage.
Close encounters of the divine kind. I wonder if we, today, really and truly appreciate the awe and terror that can come about with such encounters. We follow Jesus for sure, we have the Holy Spirit living in us for real. Reason to rejoice and reason to receive the invitation to encounter God on a daily basis and have the boldness and confidence to do so. Yet even brothers who had these same realities would have an encounter with the divine realities of God and react just like Daniel. That suggests a lot about how great and awesome God is – amazing when you discover that this is just His messenger.
“O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.”
Daniel 10:11 (ESV)
How highly God’s servant is valued that even the angelic host recognise this. If that’s a servant before Jesus, how much more are those in Christ the Son of God. That value, in Daniel’s case, brought out the big guns to address the matter and clearly also invoked significant resistance. Prince of Persia, chief prince Michael and later on Prince of Greece gives us more insights in how realms in the physical have spiritual forces operating. What God wanted Daniel to know was clearly so important that spiritual forces were keen to oppose the message getting through.
Consider that. Throughout the book of Daniel, he has been used to inform and give insight on how the different kingdoms of man would rise and fall before the eventual eternal rule of God that would be established completing knocking out the other kingdoms. These empires and kingdoms may be marked by human figures in charge, but clearly there is just as much an angelic presence – angelic usually in the demonic sense. It’s interesting that the prince that looks to stop the angel getting to Daniel is the one in charge of the empire in which Daniel operates. It’s interesting because the actual human ruler of the day showed Daniel favour. Yet the demonic prince of the age did not want that to take place. It should make us consider the various kingdoms of our age. Much as we would like to consider some nation states to be ‘Christian’, it is still the reality of the day that much of the world is dominated by similar princes as those that would influence Persia and Greece. It’s not to get hung up and petrified about these things, it’s about placing total trust and confidence in the One who has destroyed the works of the wicked one. It’s about recognising again that we wrestle against powers in heavenly places … from the position of being seated at the right hand of God in Christ. This God who gives us insight and wishes to communicate with us, does so now through our relationship with Him.
Daniel is troubled and we’re told about support given to him to at least speak to express his weakness in verse 13 and then further support is given to him in verse 18. The support given to Daniel is not said to be from the same source as the messenger. So, there is a messenger and a supporter. effect on the prophet.
“O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.”
Daniel 10:19 (ESV)
This is such a great picture of the reality, the weakness, the frailty, the vulnerability of man and the response of the source of sustenance, strength and peace that God gives. It’s a great picture that should give us hope and confidence in the dialogue God delights to have with us. If we have the desire to connect with God and engage with Him in His Word by His Spirit in His Son then we can acknowledge our need for Him. Our need to be in the place to hear Him clearly. The need to be in the place to understand Him as He desires. Daniel’s response in verse 19 opens the door to the magnitude of the message he is about to receive in chapter 11.
What this episode also outlines is how Daniel, reacts in a real way to what he experiences. It’s how this man is faced with a messenger and then supported by one who serves and gives courage. This episode is not so much about the nature of the message as it is about the nature of an encounter. Something about the encounter that says much about God and His engagement with His people. God is still magnificent and able to present His word in breathtaking ways. Angelic support faces real agelic resistance. Spiritual warfare is real not just from our perspective, but from that angelic perspective.
In our encounters with God do we become so familiar that we don’t pay attention to the reality of the awesome spiritual realm in which a lot of things take place? Can we have a desire for the things of God like Daniel and press through to receive from Him the strength we need to hear and understand Him as He communicates with us?
Questions from Daniel 10
What does this episode tell you about the character of God?
What does this episode tell you about the relationship that Daniel has with God?
Daniel goes on a three week period of mourning and fasting – is there a reason why believers today would be likewise compelled to go into such a season of fasting?
When was the last time you experienced a messenger from God inform you of something important? Why are such experiences important today?
Daniel feels weak and lacks courage. The servant of God helps Daniel. what can you take from this to support you in your journey following Jesus?
How does this episode inform your understanding of spiritual realities?
How would you encourage other followers of Jesus based on the lessons and insights you gain from this chapter?
Some Helpful Resources
Overview of the book of Daniel by the Bible Project
Bob Deffinbaugh’s commentary on Daniel 10 as part of Bible.org’s series relating prophecy to piety.
The Other Side of Prayer – Ray Stedman’s sermon on Daniel 10
Commentaries on Daniel 10 by Hank Workman and Brad Boyles of The Warehouse blog
I.Gordon’s Commentary on Daniel 10 – Lifting the Veil
David Guzik’s scripture breakdown of Daniel 10 for Enduring Word site.
Bob Utley’s Bible Study on Daniel 10
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 
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