Title Reason for Discipline (Daniel 9:5-6)
Contents
Lesson 92 Reasons for Discipline (Daniel 9:5-6)
9:5-6
We have already sinned, rebellious, evildoers, rebellious, and have turned away from your statutes and ordinances, and we have not heard what your servants the prophets spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, our ancestors, and all the people
Daniel's prayer has three parts. Praise, repentance, and supplication. The words of the text we read today are the beginning of repentance. Daniel clarifies six reasons why Jerusalem had to be desolate for seventy years in these verses.
Why was Israel taken captive to Babylon? 1) because they sinned, 2) because they were rebellious, 3) because they did evil, 4) because they rebelled, 5) because they turned away from your laws and regulations, and 6) because they did not listen to what your servants the prophets said. . In the end, the Israelites were punished by God for their sins and were taken captive to Babylon, and as a result, Jerusalem had no choice but to be a wasteland during that time.
What word does verse 5 begin with? It is "we". How does verse 6 begin? It is "we". Daniel is not blaming anyone now. He did not blame the kings of the country, nor the leaders. Nor did he accuse others of idolatry. Although Daniel was an impeccably loyal man, he identifies himself as one of the sinful people of Israel. This is the heart of the truly repentant.
Let's take a look at the six sins of the Israelites in turn.
First, he said, "We have sinned already." The original meaning of the word "crime" as used here is that an arrow misses its target. God chose the Israelites and made them a kingdom of priests and a holy people. God made them a kingdom of priests because he wanted the Gentiles to return to God through them. But instead of leading the nations to God, the Israelites became assimilated with them and worshiped foreign gods. In addition, they could not live a holy life according to the standard of life set by God. They have deviated greatly from the goal set by God.
Second, it is said to be "rebellious." This means that the mental state of the people of Israel was not upright and crooked. They had to love God with all their heart, with all their soul, and with all their might, and take the Word of God into their hearts. But their hearts were far from God. If their hearts were not right, how could their lives be right?
Third, he said, "It is evil." If "rebellion" is an inner state, "doing evil" is an outward act. They did not hesitate to do evil before God and before others.
The fourth is "by rebellion". A covenant was made between God and the people of Israel. The Israelites made an oath before Jehovah God. "We will serve only the LORD our God." But they broke that promise and served other foreign gods. This is clearly rebellion against God.
Fifth, "I have departed from Your statutes and ordinances." The Israelites did not live according to the word of God, but lived their own way. "Law" refers to a set principle. "Ordinance" is the application of a law to a situation. Let me explain with an example. "Keep the Sabbath day holy." This is the law. So, what should we do specifically to keep the Sabbath day holy? There may be several ordinances regarding the Sabbath. For example, on the Sabbath, no woodworking, no fire, no entertainment, etc.
Let's look at the last six. “Neither have we heard what your servants the prophets spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, our ancestors, and all the people.” The people of Israel did not listen to the words of the Lord through His servants the prophets. So did the kings. The princes did the same. So did the forefathers. Literally the whole nation of Israel did not listen to God. So, do they have no choice but to receive God's chastisement?
This time, we want to look back at the six reasons why the people of Israel had no choice but to receive God's chastisement in the past and examine ourselves.
First, are we not sinning? He said that a life that does not meet God's standards is a crime. There is a life that God, who has chosen us to be his people, requires of us. “Be holy as I am holy!” God wants us to live holy lives. We are saints. It means holy people. Then we must be something different from the people of the ordinary world. What would it mean if our lives were just like them?
Second, are our hearts set right? Are our hearts fully directed toward the living God? Have you forgotten God and only looked at the world? That's what the bastard is.
Third, isn't it evil? Are you still doing the evil that God hates in secret? He said that there is nothing hidden that cannot be revealed. Let us quickly turn away from evil deeds.
Fourth, are you not forgetting the covenant you made with God and keeping it well? God never forsakes the covenant he made with us. God has always protected and protected us, the chosen people, like the pupil of his own eye. Our God will continue to guide our steps in the future. We too should always live in that love so as not to go the other way.
Fifth, are you not living a life that departs from the Lord's laws and ordinances? We should hold onto the word of God and live by obedience to it, but aren't we ignoring God's word and living according to our own thoughts?
Sixth, even now, God speaks through His servants. Are we really taking those words seriously? When we read the Bible or hear the words preached from the pulpit, how much do we really pay attention to the words? I hope that you will always take the words of God seriously. When Daniel prayed, he did not just pray blindly. By meditating on the Word of God first, I gained enlightenment and prayed based on the Word. Let us first listen to the word of God in silence. Let's receive God's word with a sincere attitude of heart. And he prays earnestly to fulfill God's good will for us.
May the word of God be with you in this day's life today. May God's love be with you. May God's comfort be with you. I hope that it will be a blessed day to please Heavenly Father by living a holy life like a child of God.