Daniel Comforted by an Angelic VISION CONTINUES. Dan. 10:4-8
Dan.10:4-12“And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river…Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold…And I Daniel alone saw the vision… I was left alone…and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.”
- I was by the side of the great river—in waking reality, not a trance (v. 7); when younger, he saw the future in images, but now, when old, he receives revelations from angels in common language—i.e., in the apocalyptic mode. In the patriarchal period God often appeared visibly—i.e., by theophany. In the prophets, next in the succession, the inward character of revelation is prominent. The consummation is when the seer looks up from earth into the unseen world, and has the future shown to him by angels—i. e., apocalypse. So in the New Testament there is a parallel progression: God in the flesh, the spiritual activity of the apostles, and the apocalypse. Hiddekel—the Tigris. ´ Fausset A. R. “The Tigris River was some 20 miles from Babylon.” HCSB Study Bible
- Then I lifted up mine eyes—from the ground…An angel of the highest order; for in ch. 8:16 he commands Gabriel to make Daniel to understand the vision. V 5-6 clothed in linen—the raiment of priests, being the symbol of sanctity, as more pure than wool (Exd. 28:42); also of prophets (Jer. 13:1); and of angels (Rev. 15:6). whose loins were girded with fine gold… with a girdle interwoven with gold (Rev. 1:13). The description seems too glorious to apply to any save the uncreated Angel of the Covenant, the Divine Son of God. Jos. 5:13. Zec. 1:8. Re. 1:13–15
- alone. 2Kg. 6:17, Ac. 9:7; 22:9. I, Daniel, saw the vision is emphatic: “I saw, I, Daniel, I alone.” His companions sensed a powerful and terrifying presence but saw nothing, so they ran and hid. ch. 7:28; 8:7, 27, Matt. 17:6, Rev. 1:17
- Yet heard I the sound of his words.‘I sank into a deep sleep’ Gen. 15:12, Job 4:13.
- V.10. 9:21, Jer. 1:9, Rev. 1:17 an hand of Gabriel, who interpreted other revelations to Daniel (ch. 8:16-18) touched me, which set me upon my knees. So ‘David’ means one beloved; Jn. 13:23’ 21:20, Ps. 45:11 for he was the “man after God’s own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14). understand the words—attend to them. ch. 8:16, 17; 9:22.
- Fear not ver. 12, Is. 35:4; 41:10–14, Ac. 18:9–10. “Every believer is “a man greatly beloved” of God, as was Daniel; and his heavenly Father would have him not to tremble…perfect love which casteth out slavish and tormenting fear (1 John 4:18).” Fausset A. R. “He assured him that his fastings and prayers had come up for a memorial before God, as the angel told Cornelius (Acts 10:4)…thy words were heard,” as, before, at the beginning of thy supplication, ch. 9:23…The entrance of their prayers is pleasing to God. From the first day that we begin to look towards God in a way of duty he is ready to meet us in a way of mercy. Thus God is ready to hear prayers.” M. Henry. Prayer delayed is not prayer denied. Nay more, prayer is more effectually answered by being deferred till God’s time, and by being granted in God’s way.” Fausset A. R.
