Daniel has another vision
10
📚In the third year of Cyrus 📖, king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the message was true and involved a great conflict 📖. And he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision.10:1 Chapters 10-12 form a unit and give things Daniel saw and heard on the same occasion.⚜
2 📚In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks. 3 📚I ate no pleasant food, and no meat or wine came into my mouth, and I did not anoint myself at all, until three whole weeks were over.
10:2-3 We are not told why Daniel fasted and mourned. Perhaps it was because of the troubles the Jews were having in Jerusalem (see Ezra 4:1-5). Perhaps it was because of the sins of those left in Babylon, or because of their lack of desire to return to Jerusalem to help in the work there.⚜
4 📚And on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, the Hiddekel, 5 📚I lifted my eyes and looked and saw a man clothed in linen. He had a belt of fine gold of Uphaz around his waist. 6 📚And his body gleamed like beryl, and his face had the appearance of lightning, and his eyes shone like lamps of fire, and in colour his arms and his feet were like polished brass, and the sound of his words was like the sound of a multitude.
7 📚And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but great trembling fell on them, so that they ran away to hide themselves.
10:5-7 A vision of a great and glorious person who can hardly have been anyone other than the Son of God. Compare v 6 with Rev 1:13-16. Concerning other appearances of the Son of God as the divine messenger see Gen 16:7.⚜
8 📚Therefore I was left alone and saw this great vision; and no strength remained in me, for my vigour changed in me to utter weakness, and I retained no strength. 9 📚Yet I heard the sound of his words. And when I heard the sound of his words, I was in a deep sleep on my face, my face toward the ground.
10 📚And, suddenly, a hand touched me, which placed me on my knees and the palms of my hands.
10:10 It does not say that “His” hand touched Daniel. This may refer to the hand of an angel. In the verses which follow, the speaker may be different from the one who appeared in such glory in vs 5-9. But it is not clear whether two beings or only one are with Daniel in this chapter – v 16. Certainly in chapter 12 (which was given at the same time as this) two others are seen (Dan 12:5-6).⚜
The message
11 📚And he said to me, “O Daniel, O man greatly beloved 📖, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright; for I have now been sent to you”. And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood trembling.
War in the unseen world
12 📚Then said he to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day 📖 that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come because of your words. 13 📚But the prince 📖 of the kingdom of Persia withstood me for twenty-one days. But, see, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
10:13 This verse reveals something of what goes on in the unseen realm of spirits. It also gives a reason why the answer to a prayer may be delayed.⚜
14 📚Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people 📖 in the latter days; for the vision concerns days still future”.
Daniel gets strength
15 📚And when he was speaking these words to me, I turned my face to the ground, and was speechless. 16 📚And, suddenly, someone like the sons of men in appearance touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to the one who was standing in front of me, “O my lord, because of the vision sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have no strength left. 17 📚For how can this servant of my lord talk with you my lord? For as for me, now no strength remains in me, no breath is left in me”.
18 📚Then the one who had the appearance of a man came again and touched me and strengthened me, 19 📚and said, “O man greatly beloved, do not fear. Peace be with you. Be strong, yes, be strong”. And when he had spoken to me, I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me”.
20 📚Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I will return to fight with the prince of Persia. And when I have gone away, see, the prince of Greece 📖 will come. 21 📚But I will tell you what is inscribed in the true writings 📖. (And there is no one who upholds me against these powers, except Michael your prince.