Daniel 9:21
while I was still praying, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice.
while I was still in prayer
This phrase emphasizes the power and immediacy of prayer in the life of a believer. Daniel's commitment to prayer is a central theme in his life, demonstrating his unwavering faith and dedication to God. The Hebrew root for "prayer" (תְּפִלָּה, tefillah) suggests an act of intercession and supplication, highlighting the intimate communication between Daniel and God. Historically, prayer was a vital practice for the Israelites, serving as a means to seek divine guidance and intervention.

Gabriel
Gabriel is one of the few angels named in the Bible, and his name means "God is my strength." In the Hebrew context, angels are messengers of God, and Gabriel's appearance signifies the importance of the message being delivered. Gabriel's role in the scriptures is often associated with delivering messages of great significance, as seen in his appearances in both the Old and New Testaments. His presence here underscores the divine response to Daniel's earnest prayers.

the man I had seen in the earlier vision
This phrase connects the current event to a previous divine encounter, reinforcing the continuity of God's revelation to Daniel. The term "man" (אִישׁ, ish) is used to describe Gabriel, indicating his appearance in a form that Daniel could comprehend. This anthropomorphic depiction of an angel highlights the accessibility of divine messages to humans. The earlier vision refers to Daniel 8, where Gabriel provides insight into future events, establishing a pattern of divine communication and revelation.

came to me in swift flight
The imagery of "swift flight" conveys the urgency and importance of Gabriel's mission. The Hebrew word for "swift" (יַעֵף, ya'ef) suggests a rapid and purposeful movement, emphasizing the immediacy of God's response to Daniel's prayer. This phrase illustrates the readiness of God to answer the prayers of the faithful and the active role of angels in executing God's will. It serves as a reminder of the divine orchestration behind the scenes of human history.

about the time of the evening sacrifice
The "evening sacrifice" refers to the daily offering made in the temple, a practice that was central to Jewish worship and ritual. This time, around 3 PM, was significant for the Israelites as a moment of reflection and devotion. The mention of the evening sacrifice situates Daniel's experience within the framework of Jewish religious life, even though the temple was no longer standing. It underscores Daniel's adherence to his faith and traditions, despite being in exile. This connection to the sacrificial system points to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, which fulfills and transcends the Old Testament offerings.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Daniel
A prophet and a man of prayer, known for his unwavering faith and integrity. In this chapter, he is interceding for his people and seeking understanding from God.

2. Gabriel
An angelic messenger of God, often associated with delivering important messages. In this context, he comes to provide Daniel with insight and understanding.

3. Evening Sacrifice
Refers to the time of day when sacrifices were traditionally offered in the temple, around 3 PM. This highlights Daniel's dedication to prayer at significant times.

4. Earlier Vision
Refers to a previous encounter Daniel had with Gabriel, emphasizing the continuity and importance of Gabriel's messages to Daniel.

5. Prayer
Daniel's act of seeking God earnestly, demonstrating his commitment to understanding God's will and interceding for his people.
Teaching Points
The Power of Persistent Prayer
Daniel's example shows the importance of consistent and dedicated prayer, especially during significant times.

Divine Assistance in Understanding
God provides help through His messengers, like Gabriel, to give us insight and understanding when we seek Him earnestly.

Significance of Timing in Worship
The mention of the "evening sacrifice" underscores the importance of setting aside specific times for prayer and worship.

God's Faithfulness in Revelation
Just as God sent Gabriel to Daniel, He is faithful to reveal His will to those who diligently seek Him.

Role of Angels
Understanding the role of angels as God's messengers can deepen our appreciation for the spiritual realm and God's provision for us.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Daniel's commitment to prayer challenge or inspire your own prayer life?

2. In what ways can you set aside specific times for prayer and worship in your daily routine, similar to the "evening sacrifice"?

3. How does the role of Gabriel as a messenger of God encourage you to seek divine guidance in your life?

4. What other biblical examples of angelic intervention can you find, and how do they relate to God's care for His people?

5. How can understanding the original context of Daniel's visions enhance your interpretation of God's messages in your own life?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Luke 1:19
Gabriel also appears to Zechariah, announcing the birth of John the Baptist, showing his role as a divine messenger.

Exodus 29:39-42
Describes the daily sacrifices, providing context for the significance of the "evening sacrifice" in Daniel's prayer life.

Hebrews 1:14
Discusses the role of angels as ministering spirits, which aligns with Gabriel's mission to assist and inform Daniel.
The Nation's Advocate At God's BarH.T. Robjohns Daniel 9:1-21
Answer to Daniel's PrayerR. Gordon, D.D.Daniel 9:20-23
Daniel's DevotionsJohn Clayton, A.M.Daniel 9:20-23
The Power of PrayerJ. H. Morgan.Daniel 9:20-23
Prayer Opens Wider Horizons of God's KingdomJ.D. Davies Daniel 9:20-27
Ministry of Angels in Individual LifeG. A. Johnston Ross.Daniel 9:21-27
The Great Spirit-WorldH. S. Holland.Daniel 9:21-27
Words of the AngelHomilistDaniel 9:21-27
People
Ahasuerus, Daniel, Darius, Gabriel, Jeremiah, Nahum
Places
Egypt, Greece, Jerusalem
Topics
Approached, Beginning, Caused, Close, Commencement, Earlier, Evening, Extreme, Flight, Fly, Flying, Gabriel, Oblation, Offering, Prayer, Present, Previously, Sacrifice, Speaking, Swift, Swiftly, Touched, Vision, Weariness, Whiles, Whilst, Yea, Yes, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Daniel 9:21

     4111   angels, servants
     4933   evening

Daniel 9:1-23

     4926   delay, human

Daniel 9:17-23

     7217   exile, in Babylon

Daniel 9:20-22

     8281   insight

Daniel 9:20-23

     5548   speech, divine
     8409   decision-making, and providence

Daniel 9:20-27

     4145   archangels

Library
Daniel: a Pattern for Pleaders
"O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God; for thy city and thy people are called by thy name."--Daniel 9:19. DANIEL was a man in very high position in life. It is true he was not living in his own native land, but, in the providence of God, he had been raised to great eminence under the dominion of the country in which he dwelt. He might, therefore, naturally have forgotten his poor kinsmen; many have done so. Alas! we have known some that have
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 61: 1915

The Man and the Book.
In this and the following lectures I attempt an account and estimate of the Prophet Jeremiah, of his life and teaching, and of the Book which contains them--but especially of the man himself, his personality and his tempers (there were more than one), his religious experience and its achievements, with the various high styles of their expression; as well as his influence on the subsequent religion of his people. It has often been asserted that in Jeremiah's ministry more than in any other of the
George Adam Smith—Jeremiah

Whether the Time of the Future Judgment is Unknown?
Objection 1: It would seem that the time of the future judgment is not unknown. For just as the holy Fathers looked forward to the first coming, so do we look forward to the second. But the holy Fathers knew the time of the first coming, as proved by the number of weeks mentioned in Daniel 9: wherefore the Jews are reproached for not knowing the time of Christ's coming (Lk. 12:56): "You hypocrites, you know how to discern the face of the heaven and of the earth, but how is it that you do not discern
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

That Whereas the City of Jerusalem had Been Five Times Taken Formerly, this was the Second Time of Its Desolation. A Brief Account of Its History.
1. And thus was Jerusalem taken, in the second year of the reign of Vespasian, on the eighth day of the month Gorpeius [Elul]. It had been taken five [34] times before, though this was the second time of its desolation; for Shishak, the king of Egypt, and after him Antiochus, and after him Pompey, and after them Sosius and Herod, took the city, but still preserved it; but before all these, the king of Babylon conquered it, and made it desolate, one thousand four hundred and sixty-eight years and
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem

From the Supplement to the Summa --Question Lxxii of the Prayers of the Saints who are in Heaven
I. Are the Saints cognizant of our Prayers? II. Ought we to appeal to the Saints to intercede for us? III. Are the Saints' Prayers to God for us always heard? I Are the Saints cognizant of our Prayers? On those words of Job,[267] Whether his children come to honour or dishonour, he shall not understand, S. Gregory says: "This is not to be understood of the souls of the Saints, for they see from within the glory of Almighty God, it is in nowise credible that there should be anything without of
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

The Blessing of God.
NUMB. VI. 22-27. We have already seen the grace of GOD making provision that His people, who had lost the privilege of priestly service, might draw near to Him by Nazarite separation and consecration. And not as the offence was the free gift: those who had forfeited the privilege of priestly service were the males only, but women and even children might be Nazarites; whosoever desired was free to come, and thus draw near to GOD. We now come to the concluding verses of Numb. vi, and see in them one
James Hudson Taylor—Separation and Service

Three Things Briefly to be Regarded in Christ --viz. His Offices of Prophet, King, and Priest.
1. Among heretics and false Christians, Christ is found in name only; but by those who are truly and effectually called of God, he is acknowledged as a Prophet, King, and Priest. In regard to the Prophetical Office, the Redeemer of the Church is the same from whom believers under the Law hoped for the full light of understanding. 2. The unction of Christ, though it has respect chiefly to the Kingly Office, refers also to the Prophetical and Priestly Offices. The dignity, necessity, and use of this
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

General Account of Jesus' Teaching.
^A Matt. IV. 17; ^B Mark I. 14, 15; ^C Luke IV. 14, 15. ^a 17 From that time Jesus began to preach [The time here indicated is that of John the Baptist's imprisonment and Jesus' return to Galilee. This time marked a new period in the public ministry of Jesus. Hitherto he had taught, but he now began to preach. When the voice of his messenger, John, was silenced, the King became his own herald. Paul quoted the Greeks as saying that preaching was "foolishness," but following the example here set by
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Fifthly, as this Revelation, to the Judgment of Right and Sober Reason,
appears of itself highly credible and probable, and abundantly recommends itself in its native simplicity, merely by its own intrinsic goodness and excellency, to the practice of the most rational and considering men, who are desirous in all their actions to have satisfaction and comfort and good hope within themselves, from the conscience of what they do: So it is moreover positively and directly proved to be actually and immediately sent to us from God, by the many infallible signs and miracles
Samuel Clarke—A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of God

Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature
1. The Traditional Law. - The brief account given in vol. i. p. 100, of the character and authority claimed for the traditional law may here be supplemented by a chronological arrangement of the Halakhoth in the order of their supposed introduction or promulgation. In the first class, or Halakhoth of Moses from Sinai,' tradition enumerates fifty-five, [6370] which may be thus designated: religio-agrarian, four; [6371] ritual, including questions about clean and unclean,' twenty-three; [6372] concerning
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Fulfilled Prophecies of the Bible Bespeak the Omniscience of Its Author
In Isaiah 41:21-23 we have what is probably the most remarkable challenge to be found in the Bible. "Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. Let them bring them forth, and show us what shall happen; let them show the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. Show the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods." This Scripture has both a negative
Arthur W. Pink—The Divine Inspiration of the Bible

"And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection,
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Sin-Bearer.
A COMMUNION MEDITATION AT MENTONE. "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."--1 Peter ii. 24, 25. THE SIN-BEARER. THIS wonderful passage is a part of Peter's address to servants; and in his day nearly all servants were slaves. Peter begins at the eighteenth verse: "Servants, be subject
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act.
(at Feast-Time at Jerusalem, Probably the Passover.) ^D John V. 1-47. ^d 1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [Though every feast in the Jewish calendar has found some one to advocate its claim to be this unnamed feast, yet the vast majority of commentators choose either the feast of Purim, which came in March, or the Passover, which came in April. Older commentators pretty unanimously regarded it as the Passover, while the later school favor the feast
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Being of God
Q-III: WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES PRINCIPALLY TEACH? A: The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. Q-IV: WHAT IS GOD? A: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. Here is, 1: Something implied. That there is a God. 2: Expressed. That he is a Spirit. 3: What kind of Spirit? I. Implied. That there is a God. The question, What is God? takes for granted that there
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Manifestation of the Messiah
(JOHN I. 31.) "Before me, as in darkening glass, Some glorious outlines pass, Of love, and truth, and holiness, and power-- I own them thine, O Christ, And bless Thee in this hour." F. R. HAVERGAL. The Herald's Proclamation--The Meeting of John and Jesus--Christ's Baptism--"It Becometh Us."--"My Beloved Son." John's life, at this period, was an extraordinary one. By day he preached to the teeming crowds, or baptized them; by night he would sleep in some slight booth, or darksome cave. But the
F. B. Meyer—John the Baptist

The Intercession of Christ
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us! T he Redemption of the soul is precious. Fools make mock of sin (Proverbs 14:9) . But they will not think lightly of it, who duly consider the majesty, authority, and goodness of Him, against whom it is committed; and who are taught, by what God actually has done, what sin rendered necessary to be done, before a sinner could have a well-grounded
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Destruction of Jerusalem Foretold.
^A Matt. XXIV. 1-28; ^B Mark XIII. 1-23; ^C Luke XXI. 5-24. ^a 1 And Jesus went out from the temple [leaving it to return no more], and was going on his way; and his disciples came to him ^b as he went forth ^a to show him the buildings of the temple. ^b one of his disciples saith unto him, Teacher, behold, what manner of stones and what manner of buildings! ^c 5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and offerings, he said [The strength and wealth of the temple roused
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Christ's Priestly Office
Q-35: HOW DOES CHRIST EXECUTE THE OFFICE OF A PRIEST? A: In his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us. 'Now once in the end of the world has he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.' Heb 9:96. What are the parts of Christ's priestly office? Christ's priestly office has two parts - his satisfaction and intercession. I. His Satisfaction; and this consists of two branches. [1] His active
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Scriptures
Q-II: WHAT RULE HAS GOD GIVEN TO DIRECT US HOW WE MAY GLORIFY AND ENJOY HIM? A: The Word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. 2 Tim 3:16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,' By Scripture is understood the sacred Book of God. It is given by divine inspiration; that is, the Scripture is not the contrivance of man's brain, but is divine in its origin. The image of Diana was had in veneration
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

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