Nov 9, 2025
DANIEL 10:20—12:
In
yesterday’s reading, we heard Daniel’s sincere prayer. Note that he
had been seeking the Lord with limited fasting for 3 weeks. Then
the angel Gabriel is again sent with a message for Daniel. Note
that the phrase ‘anoint the Most Holy Place’ is probably referring
to what we read about in Hebrews recently— that which our High
Priest Jesus did in heaven. Gabriel’s message about seventy sets of
seven, or seventy weeks and 62 weeks, are both a difficult
translational problem and a prophetic mystery. If we could solve
the prophetic mystery, then we would know how to translate
it.
Then in chapter 10, Daniel saw the awesome angel, and Daniel was so overcome that he needed to be strengthened in order to hear and understand the angel’s message. Note that the angel knew that Daniel’s prayers and humbling himself through fasting and other means were for the purpose of gaining understanding.
ISAIAH 28:
Yesterday’s chapter was again full of
contrasts. Israel is God’s fruitful vine, and he slays the great
sea serpent (which pictures Satan) for his vine. But then God also
calls Israel a stupid nation and vows that they will not escape the
punishment they deserve.
2CORINTHIANS 9:
Today we read the second of two chapters
encouraging the Corinthian church to participate in the monetary
help that Paul and his friends were proposing for the believers
back in Judea. In chapter 8 Paul used the example of the Macedonian
believers to spur the Corinthian church on. He also praised the
Corinthians for being the first to think of this project. Now he
urges them to do what they planned. Then he showed how this gift
would be faithfully administered, and simultaneously put pressure
on the Corinthian church with the arrival of men who were
designated to be responsible for delivering the gifts. Verse 9 is a
major motivation for giving generously to any cause the glorifies
Christ:
2Cor. 8:9 NLT You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.