Daniel 9:15 is a powerful expression of humility, confession, and recognition of God's past faithfulness in light of Israel's current situation of exile. Let's break down the meaning of each part:
"Now, Lord our God, who has brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand...": This opening acknowledges God's power and sovereignty. Recalling the Exodus, the pivotal event in Israel's history, reminds everyone (including God) of the covenant relationship between God and his people and His display of unmatched power. The exodus was a clear demonstration of God's saving ability and His commitment to His promises.
"...and have gotten yourself renown, as it is today...": This highlights that God's actions in the Exodus brought Him glory and fame. His name was made known among the nations because of His intervention on behalf of Israel. The phrase "as it is today" could be interpreted in a couple of ways:
It could mean that even in Daniel's time (during the exile), God's reputation for power and deliverance was still recognized.
It could also be a slightly ironic statement. The "renown" might be referring to God's reputation for justice and judgment, as evidenced by the exile itself.
"...we have sinned. We have done wickedly.": This is the core of the verse: a confession of sin. Daniel, speaking on behalf of the entire nation of Israel, acknowledges that their current predicament (exile in Babylon) is a direct result of their own disobedience to God's laws and covenant. There is no attempt to shift blame or minimize the severity of their actions. The phrase "we have sinned" is a general admission, while "we have done wickedly" emphasizes the depth and intentionality of their wrongdoings.
In summary, the verse means:
Daniel is praying to God, reminding Him of His past faithfulness and power in delivering Israel from Egypt. He acknowledges that God's actions brought Him glory. However, Daniel also confesses that the Israelites have failed to uphold their end of the covenant, leading to their current state of exile. They have deliberately chosen to sin and act wickedly, bringing judgment upon themselves.
Significance:
Humility and Repentance: The verse demonstrates the importance of humility in prayer and the need to acknowledge one's own sinfulness before God.
God's Justice and Mercy: It reflects the tension between God's justice (punishing sin) and His mercy (willingness to forgive). While acknowledging their guilt, Daniel is also implicitly appealing to God's compassion and hoping for restoration.
Corporate Responsibility: Daniel doesn't distance himself from the sins of his people. He identifies with them and confesses their sins as his own, highlighting the concept of corporate responsibility within a community.
Faith in God's Character: By reminding God of His past actions, Daniel is expressing faith that God's character remains consistent. He hopes that God will act again to deliver His people, even though they are undeserving.
This verse sets the stage for the rest of Daniel's prayer, where he pleads for God's mercy and restoration of Israel, based on God's own reputation and promises, not on their merit.
Daniel 9:15 is a powerful expression of humility, confession, and recognition of God's past faithfulness in light of Israel's current situation of exile. Let's break down the meaning of each part:
"Now, Lord our God, who has brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand...": This opening acknowledges God's power and sovereignty. Recalling the Exodus, the pivotal event in Israel's history, reminds everyone (including God) of the covenant relationship between God and his people and His display of unmatched power. The exodus was a clear demonstration of God's saving ability and His commitment to His promises.
"...and have gotten yourself renown, as it is today...": This highlights that God's actions in the Exodus brought Him glory and fame. His name was made known among the nations because of His intervention on behalf of Israel. The phrase "as it is today" could be interpreted in a couple of ways:
It could mean that even in Daniel's time (during the exile), God's reputation for power and deliverance was still recognized.
It could also be a slightly ironic statement. The "renown" might be referring to God's reputation for justice and judgment, as evidenced by the exile itself.
"...we have sinned. We have done wickedly.": This is the core of the verse: a confession of sin. Daniel, speaking on behalf of the entire nation of Israel, acknowledges that their current predicament (exile in Babylon) is a direct result of their own disobedience to God's laws and covenant. There is no attempt to shift blame or minimize the severity of their actions. The phrase "we have sinned" is a general admission, while "we have done wickedly" emphasizes the depth and intentionality of their wrongdoings.
In summary, the verse means:
Daniel is praying to God, reminding Him of His past faithfulness and power in delivering Israel from Egypt. He acknowledges that God's actions brought Him glory. However, Daniel also confesses that the Israelites have failed to uphold their end of the covenant, leading to their current state of exile. They have deliberately chosen to sin and act wickedly, bringing judgment upon themselves.
Significance:
Humility and Repentance: The verse demonstrates the importance of humility in prayer and the need to acknowledge one's own sinfulness before God.
God's Justice and Mercy: It reflects the tension between God's justice (punishing sin) and His mercy (willingness to forgive). While acknowledging their guilt, Daniel is also implicitly appealing to God's compassion and hoping for restoration.
Corporate Responsibility: Daniel doesn't distance himself from the sins of his people. He identifies with them and confesses their sins as his own, highlighting the concept of corporate responsibility within a community.
Faith in God's Character: By reminding God of His past actions, Daniel is expressing faith that God's character remains consistent. He hopes that God will act again to deliver His people, even though they are undeserving.
This verse sets the stage for the rest of Daniel's prayer, where he pleads for God's mercy and restoration of Israel, based on God's own reputation and promises, not on their merit.