As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.
Daniel acknowledges that suffering fulfilled prophecy yet produced insufficient repentance: 'As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.' The judgment was exactly as Moses warned, yet it didn't automatically produce repentance—'yet made we not our prayer.' This is sobering: even severe discipline doesn't guarantee heart change. The proper response ('turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth') hadn't been Israel's default reaction. Daniel's current prayer partly remedies this, but he acknowledges decades of exile passed without appropriate corporate repentance. This teaches that God's discipline opens opportunity for repentance but doesn't coerce it; humans can remain hard even under judgment. Genuine repentance requires both divine initiative and human response.
Historical Context
The exile lasted approximately 70 years (586-516 BC). During this period, various responses emerged: some Jews assimilated into Babylonian culture; some maintained identity but didn't deeply repent; a remnant (like Daniel, Ezekiel, and those who eventually returned) responded with genuine repentance and renewed commitment. Daniel's confession likely represents this faithful remnant's perspective: recognizing that as a whole, Israel hadn't properly responded to judgment with deep repentance. The historical lesson is stark: divine discipline, however severe, doesn't automatically produce spiritual renewal. God's people can waste suffering rather than learning from it. The exile's goal was restoration of relationship with God; achieving that required not just enduring punishment but genuinely turning from sin.
Questions for Reflection
Why doesn't even severe divine discipline automatically produce repentance?
What's the difference between enduring suffering and learning from it?
How can we examine whether we're properly responding to God's discipline in our lives?
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Analysis & Commentary
Daniel acknowledges that suffering fulfilled prophecy yet produced insufficient repentance: 'As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.' The judgment was exactly as Moses warned, yet it didn't automatically produce repentance—'yet made we not our prayer.' This is sobering: even severe discipline doesn't guarantee heart change. The proper response ('turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth') hadn't been Israel's default reaction. Daniel's current prayer partly remedies this, but he acknowledges decades of exile passed without appropriate corporate repentance. This teaches that God's discipline opens opportunity for repentance but doesn't coerce it; humans can remain hard even under judgment. Genuine repentance requires both divine initiative and human response.