Deeper Reflection
The prayer of Daniel in Daniel 9:4-19 is his confession of “my sin and the sin of my people Israel” (Dan 9:20). Daniel’s prayer of confession reaches a pivotal point: “Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses…have been poured out on us” (v.11, NIV). Daniel’s prayer reflects the long history of God’s covenant relationship with Israel, which began on the day when God “brought Your people out of the land of Egypt” (Dan 9:15). Scripture teaches that we must consciously and reflectively remember the history of our relationship with God. Foundational in God’s covenant relationship with His people is covenant faithfulness. In this covenant relationship, God promises blessings for faithfulness and curses for unfaithfulness (see Lev 26; Deut 28). On His part, God is always faithful and never unfaithful.Persistent rebellion against God characterised Israel in their history. Observe the frequency of Daniel mentioning Israel sinning against God and disobeying His Word (vv.5-10). But this “great and awesome God” (v.4) in gracious condescension met Israel’s persistent rebellion with His patient pursuit of them: “I have sent you all My servants the prophets, sending them again and again”, warning them of His judgments and calling them to repentance (Jer 35:15). But “we have not listened to Your servants the prophets” (vv.6, 10). Divine patience has limits: “So the curse has been poured out on us” (v.11). The divine curse is redemptive in intent. But unbelievably, “yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD” (v.13). This is what persistent sinning against God can do to us.