What role does confession play in Daniel's prayer in Daniel 9:18? Setting the Scene • Daniel is reading Jeremiah’s prophecy and realizes the 70-year exile is ending (Daniel 9:1–2). • Instead of presuming on God’s timetable, he turns to prayer “with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes” (v 3). • Verses 4–19 form one continuous plea; by verse 18 Daniel has already confessed national sin (vv 5–11) and acknowledged covenant curses (vv 11–14). Daniel 9:18 “Incline Your ear, my God, and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city that bears Your name. For we do not present our pleas before You because of our righteousness, but because of Your great mercy.” How Confession Shapes This Verse 1. Recognition of Unworthiness • Daniel does not claim even a shred of merit: “not…because of our righteousness.” • Earlier confession (vv 5–10) clears away self-righteous illusions, making verse 18 a humble, open-handed appeal. 2. Appeal to God’s Character • Confession shifts focus from human failure to divine mercy: “because of Your great mercy.” • Psalm 51:1–2 shows the same pattern—sin admitted, mercy sought. 3. Legitimizing the Petition • Under the Mosaic covenant, forgiveness follows confession (Leviticus 26:40–42; 2 Chronicles 7:14). • By admitting guilt, Daniel aligns with covenant terms, giving his request a lawful footing before God. 4. Removing Barriers to Restoration • Isaiah 59:1–2 declares sin separates from God; confession bridges that gap. • Daniel highlights “our desolations” (ruined city, broken people) and implicitly shows confession as the doorway to reversal. 5. Modeling Intercessory Leadership • Though personally righteous (Ezekiel 14:14), Daniel includes himself: “we”; this solidarity is integral to corporate confession. • Nehemiah 1:6–7 mirrors the same leadership style. Theological Takeaways • Confession is not peripheral; it is the hinge on which the entire prayer turns from mourning to mercy (cf. 1 John 1:9). • Mercy flows where sin is exposed, not excused (Proverbs 28:13; Luke 18:13-14). • By rooting his plea in God’s nature, Daniel shows that confession magnifies grace rather than diminishing it. Living the Truth Today • Begin petitions with honest acknowledgment of sin—personal and communal. • Ground hope in God’s compassion, not personal achievement. • Expect God to “open His eyes” to broken situations once confession removes the clog of unrepented sin. |
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