Daniel 9:16 - Lord, according to all your righteousness, let your anger and please let your wrath be turned away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a reproach to all who are around us.
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What does "Daniel 9:16" mean?
This verse from Daniel 9:16 is a plea to God for mercy and forgiveness based on God's own righteous character. Let's break it down:
"Lord, according to all your righteousness...": This is a crucial opening. Daniel isn't asking for mercy based on the merit of the people of Jerusalem (who he knows are sinful). He's appealing to God's righteousness. This righteousness encompasses God's just nature, His faithfulness to His promises, and His consistency in dealing with His covenant people. Daniel is essentially saying, "Lord, act in accordance with who you are – a righteous and faithful God."
"...let your anger and please let your wrath be turned away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain...": Daniel acknowledges that God's anger and wrath are justly deserved because of the sins of the people. "Your city Jerusalem" and "your holy mountain" (referring to the Temple Mount) are significant. Jerusalem is God's chosen city, the center of His relationship with His people. The Temple, located on the holy mountain, is the place where sacrifices were offered and God's presence was believed to dwell. Daniel is pleading for God to withhold His judgment from the very place that is meant to be dedicated to Him.
"...because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a reproach to all who are around us.": This explains the reason for God's anger. "Our sins" refers to the sins of Daniel's contemporaries. "The iniquities of our fathers" refers to the accumulated sins of past generations. Because of these sins, Jerusalem and the Jewish people have become "a reproach" – an object of scorn, shame, and ridicule – to the surrounding nations. Their covenant unfaithfulness has brought dishonor to God's name and made them a laughingstock.
In essence, Daniel is saying:
"Lord, we know we deserve your punishment for our sins and the sins of our ancestors. Jerusalem, your city, is suffering because of our unfaithfulness, and we are ashamed before the world. But Lord, you are a righteous God. I ask you, based on your very nature and your commitment to your covenant, to turn away your anger and have mercy on Jerusalem. Don't let your chosen people and your holy city be destroyed because of our sins."
Key themes in this verse:
Confession of Sin: Acknowledging guilt and responsibility for the current situation.
Appeal to God's Character: Grounding the plea in God's righteousness and faithfulness rather than human merit.
Intercession: Standing in the gap between God and the people, pleading for mercy.
Corporate Responsibility: Recognizing the impact of both present and past sins on the community.
The Importance of Jerusalem: Emphasizing the significance of Jerusalem as God's chosen city and the center of His relationship with His people.
This verse showcases a profound understanding of God's character and a deep humility in acknowledging human sin. It's a powerful example of intercessory prayer, where someone pleads for mercy on behalf of others, not based on their own worthiness, but on the trustworthiness and goodness of God.
Daniel 9:16 - Lord, according to all your righteousness, let your anger and please let your wrath be turned away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a reproach to all who are around us.
What does "Daniel 9:16" mean?
This verse from Daniel 9:16 is a plea to God for mercy and forgiveness based on God's own righteous character. Let's break it down:
"Lord, according to all your righteousness...": This is a crucial opening. Daniel isn't asking for mercy based on the merit of the people of Jerusalem (who he knows are sinful). He's appealing to God's righteousness. This righteousness encompasses God's just nature, His faithfulness to His promises, and His consistency in dealing with His covenant people. Daniel is essentially saying, "Lord, act in accordance with who you are – a righteous and faithful God."
"...let your anger and please let your wrath be turned away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain...": Daniel acknowledges that God's anger and wrath are justly deserved because of the sins of the people. "Your city Jerusalem" and "your holy mountain" (referring to the Temple Mount) are significant. Jerusalem is God's chosen city, the center of His relationship with His people. The Temple, located on the holy mountain, is the place where sacrifices were offered and God's presence was believed to dwell. Daniel is pleading for God to withhold His judgment from the very place that is meant to be dedicated to Him.
"...because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a reproach to all who are around us.": This explains the reason for God's anger. "Our sins" refers to the sins of Daniel's contemporaries. "The iniquities of our fathers" refers to the accumulated sins of past generations. Because of these sins, Jerusalem and the Jewish people have become "a reproach" – an object of scorn, shame, and ridicule – to the surrounding nations. Their covenant unfaithfulness has brought dishonor to God's name and made them a laughingstock.
In essence, Daniel is saying:
"Lord, we know we deserve your punishment for our sins and the sins of our ancestors. Jerusalem, your city, is suffering because of our unfaithfulness, and we are ashamed before the world. But Lord, you are a righteous God. I ask you, based on your very nature and your commitment to your covenant, to turn away your anger and have mercy on Jerusalem. Don't let your chosen people and your holy city be destroyed because of our sins."
Key themes in this verse:
Confession of Sin: Acknowledging guilt and responsibility for the current situation.
Appeal to God's Character: Grounding the plea in God's righteousness and faithfulness rather than human merit.
Intercession: Standing in the gap between God and the people, pleading for mercy.
Corporate Responsibility: Recognizing the impact of both present and past sins on the community.
The Importance of Jerusalem: Emphasizing the significance of Jerusalem as God's chosen city and the center of His relationship with His people.
This verse showcases a profound understanding of God's character and a deep humility in acknowledging human sin. It's a powerful example of intercessory prayer, where someone pleads for mercy on behalf of others, not based on their own worthiness, but on the trustworthiness and goodness of God.