"Do not be afraid, Daniel," he said, "for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. Do not be afraidThis phrase is a common reassurance found throughout the Bible, often spoken by angels or God Himself. In Hebrew, the phrase is "אַל־תִּירָא" (al-tira), which directly translates to "do not fear." This command is significant as it addresses the natural human response to the divine or supernatural. In the context of Daniel, who is experiencing a profound vision, this reassurance is crucial. It reflects God's understanding of human frailty and His desire to comfort and strengthen His servants. Historically, this phrase has been a source of comfort for believers facing trials, reminding them of God's presence and sovereignty. Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge" in Hebrew. This is fitting given Daniel's role as a prophet and his unwavering faithfulness to God amidst the challenges of exile in Babylon. Daniel's life exemplifies integrity and devotion, serving as a model for believers. His name itself is a reminder of the ultimate accountability to God, encouraging believers to live righteously regardless of earthly circumstances. from the first day that you purposed to understand
This phrase highlights Daniel's intentionality and determination in seeking understanding. The Hebrew root for "purposed" is "נָתַן" (natan), meaning to give or set. Daniel's heart was set on understanding God's will and the visions he received. This reflects a deep spiritual discipline and commitment to discernment, which is essential for any believer seeking to grow in faith and knowledge. Historically, this demonstrates the importance of perseverance in prayer and study, as God honors those who earnestly seek Him. and to humble yourself before your God
Humility is a central theme in the Bible, and here it is linked with seeking understanding. The Hebrew word for "humble" is "עָנָה" (anah), which can mean to afflict or to submit. Daniel's humility is shown in his fasting and prayer, acknowledging his dependence on God. This act of humility is crucial for receiving divine revelation, as it aligns the believer's heart with God's will. Scripturally, humility is often the precursor to receiving God's grace and wisdom. your words were heard
This assurance that Daniel's prayers were heard is a powerful testament to the efficacy of prayer. The Hebrew root for "heard" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just hearing but also understanding and responding. This indicates that God is attentive to the prayers of His people, and He responds in His perfect timing. For believers, this is an encouragement to persist in prayer, trusting that God listens and will act according to His purposes. and I have come in response to them
The arrival of the angelic messenger is a direct response to Daniel's prayers, demonstrating the connection between human intercession and divine action. This phrase underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the role of angels as God's messengers and agents. It also highlights the importance of prayer in influencing spiritual realms. For believers, this is a reminder of the power of prayer and the assurance that God is actively working in response to their petitions. Persons / Places / Events 1. DanielA prophet and a man of God known for his unwavering faith and commitment to prayer. In this chapter, Daniel is seeking understanding through prayer and fasting. 2. The Angelic MessengerThe being speaking to Daniel, often interpreted as Gabriel, who brings a message from God in response to Daniel's prayers. 3. The VisionDaniel receives a vision that troubles him, prompting him to seek understanding through prayer and fasting. 4. The Heavenly ConflictThe chapter describes a spiritual battle in the heavenly realms, indicating that Daniel's prayers have significance beyond the earthly realm. 5. PersiaThe kingdom where Daniel is located during this vision, underlining the historical context of the Jewish exile. Teaching Points The Power of HumilityDaniel's humility is a model for believers. Humbling oneself before God is crucial for spiritual growth and receiving divine insight. The Importance of Persistent PrayerDaniel's commitment to prayer demonstrates the importance of perseverance in seeking God's will and understanding. Spiritual Realities Beyond the PhysicalThe passage reveals the existence of spiritual battles that accompany our prayers, encouraging believers to remain steadfast in faith. God's Immediate Response to Faithful PrayerFrom the moment Daniel began to pray, his words were heard. This reassures believers that God listens and responds to our prayers. Courage in the Face of FearThe angel's command to "not be afraid" reminds us that God's presence and response to our prayers can bring peace amidst fear. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Daniel's example of humility and prayer challenge your current approach to seeking God's guidance? 2. In what ways can understanding the spiritual battles described in Daniel 10 influence your prayer life and spiritual awareness? 3. Reflect on a time when you felt your prayers were not being heard. How does Daniel 10:12 encourage you to persist in prayer? 4. How can the assurance that God hears our prayers from the first moment impact your faith and trust in Him? 5. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a posture of humility and persistence in your daily walk with God, as demonstrated by Daniel? Connections to Other Scriptures James 4:10This verse emphasizes the importance of humility before God, which is a key theme in Daniel 10:12. Ephesians 6:12This passage speaks about spiritual warfare, similar to the heavenly conflict described in Daniel 10. Matthew 7:7Jesus encourages persistent prayer, which aligns with Daniel's example of seeking understanding through prayer. 1 Peter 5:6-7These verses encourage believers to humble themselves under God's mighty hand, echoing Daniel's posture of humility. People Belteshazzar, Cyrus, Daniel, Javan, MichaelPlaces Greece, Persia, Tigris River, UphazTopics Afraid, Chasten, Daniel, Ears, Fear, Gain, Getting, Heart, Humble, Humbled, Humbling, Making, Mind, Poor, Response, Sake, Spirit, Thyself, Understand, Understanding, WisdomDictionary of Bible Themes Daniel 10:12 4112 angels, messengers
5714 men
5894 intelligence
5932 response
8366 wisdom, source of
8431 fasting, reasons
8618 prayerfulness Daniel 10:10-13 4926 delay, human Daniel 10:11-12 8754 fear Daniel 10:12-13 4145 archangels Daniel 10:12-14 7217 exile, in Babylon Library November 15. "Oh, Man of Desires" (Margin) (Dan. x. 11).
"Oh, man of desires" (margin) (Dan. x. 11). This was the divine character given to Daniel of old. It is translated in our version, "O man, greatly beloved." But it literally means "O man of desires!" This is a necessary element in all spiritual forces. It is one of the secrets of effectual prayer, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them." The element of strong desire gives momentum to our purposes and prayers. Indifference is an unwholesome condition; indolence and …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth Daniel's Band
"O Daniel, a man greatly beloved."--Daniel 10:11. It did not do Daniel any harm to know that he was greatly beloved of God; or else he would not have received that information from heaven. Some people are always afraid that, if Christian people obtain full assurance, and receive a sweet sense of divine love, they will grow proud, and be carried away with conceit. Do not you have any such fear for other people, and especially do not be afraid of it for yourselves. I know of no greater blessing that …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 38: 1892 Elucidations.
I. (Greater licence, p. 104.) In this treatise, which is designed to justify the extremes of Montanistic fasts, Tertullian's genius often surprises us by his ingenuity. This is one of the instances where the forensic orator comes out, trying to outflank and turn the position of an antagonist who has gained an advantage. The fallacy is obvious. Kaye cites, in comparison, a passage [1125] from "The Apparel of Women," and another [1126] from "The Exhortation to Chastity." He remarks, "Were we required …
Tertullian—On Fasting. In Opposition to the Psychics Youthful Confessors
'But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 10. And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink; for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Difference Between Union and Rapture. What Rapture Is. The Blessing it is to the Soul. The Effects of It.
1. I wish I could explain, with the help of God, wherein union differs from rapture, or from transport, or from flight of the spirit, as they speak, or from a trance, which are all one. [1] I mean, that all these are only different names for that one and the same thing, which is also called ecstasy. [2] It is more excellent than union, the fruits of it are much greater, and its other operations more manifold; for union is uniform in the beginning, the middle, and the end, and is so also interiorly. …
Teresa of Avila—The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, when Error Prevaileth, and the Spirit of Error Carrieth Many Away.
There is a time when the spirit of error is going abroad, and truth is questioned, and many are led away with delusions. For Satan can change himself into an angel of light, and make many great and fairlike pretensions to holiness, and under that pretext usher in untruths, and gain the consent of many unto them; so that in such a time of temptation many are stolen off their feet, and made to depart from the right ways of God, and to embrace error and delusions instead of truth. Now the question is, …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life A Sight of the Crowned Christ
(Revelation, Chapter i.) "Since mine eyes were fixed on Jesus, I've lost sight of all beside, So enchained my spirit's vision, Looking at the Crucified." "The Lord Christ passed my humble cot: I knew him, yet I knew him not; But as I oft had done before, I hurried through my narrow door To touch His garment's hem. "He drew me to a place apart From curious crowd and noisy mart; And as I sat there at His feet I caught the thrill of His heart-beat Beyond His garment's hem. "Rare was the bread He broke …
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation Departed Saints Fellow Servants with those yet on Earth.
"I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets." That the saints do not remain insensible, while their bodies are in the dull, but become angels, * see and serve God and bear his messages, and minister to the heirs of salvation, hath been argued from several considerations, in the preceding discourse; but we chiefly depend on revelation. The text and several other scriptures, we conceive to be our purpose, and sufficient to establish our theory, and that the same is illustrated and confirmed …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects The Doctrine of Satan.
I. HIS EXISTENCE AND PERSONALITY. 1. EXISTENCE. 2. PERSONALITY. II. HIS PLACE AND POWER. 1. A MIGHTY ANGEL. 2. PRINCE OF POWER OF THE AIR. 3. GOD OF THIS WORLD. 4. HEAD OF KINGDOM OF DARKNESS. 5. SOVEREIGN OVER DEATH. III. HIS CHARACTER. 1. ADVERSARY. 2. DIABOLOS. 3. WICKED ONE. 4. TEMPTER. IV. OUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS SATAN. 1. LIMITED POWER OF SATAN. 2. RESIST HIM. V. HIS DESTINY. 1. A CONQUERED ENEMY. 2. UNDER ETERNAL CURSE. VI. DEMONS. THE DOCTRINE OF SATAN. Throughout the Scriptures Satan is set …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist.
(at Jerusalem. Probably b.c. 6.) ^C Luke I. 5-25. ^c 5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa [a Jewish proselyte, an Idumæan or Edomite by birth, founder of the Herodian family, king of Judæa from b.c. 40 to a.d. 4, made such by the Roman Senate on the recommendation of Mark Antony and Octavius Cæsar], a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course [David divided the priests into twenty-four bodies or courses, each course serving in rotation one week in the temple …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Of a Private Fast.
That we may rightly perform a private fast, four things are to be observed:--First, The author; Secondly, The time and occasion; Thirdly, The manner; Fourthly, The ends of private fasting. 1. Of the Author. The first that ordained fasting was God himself in paradise; and it was the first law that God made, in commanding Adam to abstain from eating the forbidden fruit. God would not pronounce nor write his law without fasting (Lev. xxiii), and in his law commands all his people to fast. So does our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety A Treatise of the Fear of God;
SHOWING WHAT IT IS, AND HOW DISTINGUISHED FROM THAT WHICH IS NOT SO. ALSO, WHENCE IT COMES; WHO HAS IT; WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS; AND WHAT THE PRIVILEGES OF THOSE THAT HAVE IT IN THEIR HEARTS. London: Printed for N. Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, over against the Stocks market: 1679. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and "a fountain of life"--the foundation on which all wisdom rests, as well as the source from whence it emanates. Upon a principle …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Jesus' Feet Anointed in the House of a Pharisee.
(Galilee.) ^C Luke VII. 36-50. ^c 36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. [We learn from verse 40 that the Pharisee's name was Simon. Because the feast at Bethany was given in the house of Simon the leper, and because Jesus was anointed there also, some have been led to think that Luke is here describing this supper. See Matt. xxvi. 6-13; Mark xiv. 3-9; John xii. 1-8. But Simon the leper was not Simon the Pharisee. The name Simon was one of the most common among the Jewish …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Jesus Calls Four Fishermen to Follow Him.
(Sea of Galilee, Near Capernaum.) ^A Matt. IV. 18-22; ^B Mark I. 16-20; ^C Luke V. 1-11. ^a 18 And walking ^b 16 And passing along by the sea of Galilee [This lake is a pear-shaped body of water, about twelve and a half miles long and about seven miles across at its widest place. It is 682 feet below sea level; its waters are fresh, clear and abounding in fish, and it is surrounded by hills and mountains, which rise from 600 to 1,000 feet above it. Its greatest depth is about 165 feet], he [Jesus] …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Links Daniel 10:12 NIVDaniel 10:12 NLTDaniel 10:12 ESVDaniel 10:12 NASBDaniel 10:12 KJV
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