How does Daniel 9:11 connect with Deuteronomy 28 regarding blessings and curses?

Setting the scene

• Deuteronomy 28 lays out covenant “cause-and-effect.”

– Obedience → blessing (vv. 1-14).

– Disobedience → curse (vv. 15-68).

• Daniel prays during the Babylonian exile, a time when those curses have come home to roost.

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Key texts

• Daniel 9:11: “All Israel has transgressed Your law… So the curse… has been poured out…”

• Deuteronomy 28:15: “If you do not obey the LORD… all these curses will come upon you…”

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The Deuteronomy 28 pattern: blessings and curses

Blessings highlighted in vv. 1-14:

– Prosperity in city and field (v. 3).

– Abundant offspring, crops, herds (v. 4).

– Victory over enemies (v. 7).

Curses in vv. 15-68:

– Disease, drought, famine (vv. 21-24).

– Military defeat and siege (vv. 25, 49-52).

– Scattering among nations (v. 64).

– Desolation of land (v. 63).

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Daniel 9:11 as a direct acknowledgment

• Daniel does not blame Babylon; he owns Israel’s sin.

• He quotes Deuteronomy 28 almost verbatim: “the curse and sworn judgment written in the Law of Moses.”

• By using covenant language, he shows that exile is not random tragedy—it is covenant justice.

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Specific parallels

1. Scattering

– Deuteronomy 28:64: “The LORD will scatter you among all nations…”

– Daniel lives in that dispersion, serving in Babylon (Daniel 1:3-6).

2. Desolated city

– Deuteronomy 28:52: enemy siege “will besiege all your towns.”

– Jerusalem lies in ruins (Daniel 9:17-18).

3. National reproach

– Deuteronomy 28:37: “You will become a horror, a proverb, and a byword…”

– Daniel speaks of Israel’s “open shame” (Daniel 9:7).

4. Oath formula

– Deuteronomy 29:19-21 warns the oath will “smoke against” the rebel.

– Daniel says “sworn judgment” fell exactly as promised (9:11).

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The theological thread

• God’s covenant words are certain—both promise and penalty (Numbers 23:19).

• Judgment does not cancel grace; it drives the remnant to repentance (Leviticus 26:40-45; Daniel 9:3-4).

• The exile era proves the Law’s reliability and God’s faithfulness to His own word.

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Implications for us today

• Scripture’s warnings carry the same authority as its promises (Romans 11:22).

• National and personal obedience still brings blessing; rebellion still reaps sorrow (Galatians 6:7-8).

• Like Daniel, believers respond to discipline with confession and renewed trust in God’s covenant mercy (1 John 1:9).