From reading the book of Jeremiah, Daniel concluded that the Exile would last a total of seventy years (Jeremiah 25:12, 29:10; Daniel 9:2). Since he had been deported as a young man in the first wave of the Exile (about 605 BC), by the time of the first year of Darius (about 539 BC) about sixty-six years had gone by; if we guess that Daniel might have been a lad of about fifteen when he was brought to Babylon, he would be in his early eighties at the time of this narrative.

“Then I turned to the Lord God, to seek an answer by prayer and supplication with fasting and sackcloth and ashes” (9:3). If the seventy years were about up, would God restore the exiles and bring them back to Jerusalem? Maybe so. Maybe God would do that, just to fulfill the prophecy. Yet: would God perhaps still not bring them home, if they failed even now to repent?

So Daniel offered up a prayer of serious repentance. “We have sinned and done wrong, acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and ordinances. We have not listened to your servants the prophets … Righteousness is on your side, O Lord, but open shame, as at this day, falls on us … All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice … We did not entreat the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and reflecting on your fidelity” (9:5-7, 11, 13).

Daniel recognized that there was nothing he could offer as defense or excuse for himself or his nation: “We do not present our supplication before you on the ground of our righteousness, but on the ground of your great mercies” (9:18). Indeed, it is only the graciousness of God that can save us. Our repentance is so often shallow. Even our best intentions always fall short – and painfully often it is far less than our best intentions.

* * * * *

We cry to you for help, O Lord, for we are broken, rebellious, and stubborn. And we are proud! – though before your holiness we have little to brag about and much to confess. Save us, O God. Restore us and establish us in your grace: that we may praise your name forever and ever.

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