Daniel 9:10
Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Israel received continuous prophetic witness: Moses established the law; Joshua, Samuel, Nathan, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others called the nation to covenant faithfulness. These prophets repeatedly warned of exile if Israel persisted in rebellion (e.g., Deuteronomy 28-30, Jeremiah 7, Ezekiel 5-7). Yet the nation ignored them, persecuted them, and continued in idolatry and injustice. The exile vindicated the prophets—everything they warned came to pass. Daniel's prayer acknowledges this: the prophets faithfully delivered God's message; Israel's failure to obey brought predicted consequences. Church history shows similar patterns: clear biblical teaching, persistent disregard, eventual consequences.
Questions for Reflection
- How does rejecting clear prophetic instruction aggravate guilt beyond sins of ignorance?
- What does Israel's pattern of receiving yet disobeying prophetic witness teach about human nature's resistance to God's word?
- How should recognizing that we've been given clear biblical instruction affect our repentance?
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Analysis & Commentary
Daniel continues confessing Israel's disobedience: 'Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.' This specifies the rebellion—not merely abstract sin but concrete covenant violation. The phrase 'obeyed the voice' emphasizes personal divine communication; 'walk in his laws' indicates lifestyle obedience; 'set before us by his servants the prophets' acknowledges that instruction was clear and authoritative. Israel's sin wasn't ignorance but willful rejection of known truth. Reformed theology emphasizes the aggravated nature of sin against light—rejecting clear revelation brings greater guilt than sins of ignorance. Daniel's prayer models taking responsibility rather than pleading ignorance or blaming circumstances.