by Darrel Cline (darrelcline biblical-thinking.org)
Study # 1 February 19, 2023 Broadlands, Louisiana (Download Audio)
I. Chapter Ten Is The Introduction To Chapters 11-12.
II. The Structure of the Text.
A. 10:1-3 The Setting.
1. The third year of Cyrus (Ryrie puts this at 536 B.C.; Darius the Mede took over in 539 B.C. which would have been the first year of Cyrus -- Darius was either at the tail end of the Kingdom of the Medes, a subject of Cyrus, or another name for Cyrus).
2. Daniel reminds his readers that he was formerly known as Belteshazzar.
a. The last thing "Belteshazzar" did as a "Babylonian" was to interpret the handwriting on the wall as the initiation of the transition from the kingdom of the head of gold to the kingdom of the chest and arms of silver (the winged Lion kingdom succumbed to the devouring Bear kingdom).
b. This reference to "Belteshazzar" for his "Hebrew" language readers is tied to "a thing revealed" (literally, "stripped naked") that is "true", but a long time coming, and was understood by Daniel, having had the prophecy of the seventy weeks explained to him.
c. The reason Daniel reminded his readers that he had been named Belteshazzar is not obvious; but, Daniel's tenth chapter was after the fall of Babylon and 70 years of captivity with a generational change involved (making historical events subject to forgetfulness).
d. The "word" revealed to Daniel was in regard to "great conflict", both in the heavenlies and upon earth.
3. For some reason Daniel was in "mourning" and he determined to fast to address this feeling of desolation and the fast lasted 21 days (three full "sevens").
a. This "fast" began on the third day of the first month. This meant it ran through Passover and Unleavened Bread. It is possible that Daniel's mourning was not unlike Nehemiah's in "sadness" in 444 B.C.
b. Daniel does not tell us what his problem was, only that it was severe enough to restrict him from tasty food, meat, wine, and the use of ointment.
B. 10:4-9 The Initial Vision.
1. On the 24th of the first month this vision was introduced by an extremely intimidating "man".
a. This would, typically, have been 10 days after the celebration of the Passover of God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt.
b. Since Daniel had begun his fast 21 days earlier, he must have begun it just after the month began; the month of the celebration of God's great deliverance. In light of the fact that Jerusalem was in ruins and the building of the temple was just a "wish", there was much to "mourn".
2. The description of this "man" has very close parallels to John's vision on Patmos in Revelation 1.
a. It had much the same impact on Daniel as on John.
b. It was so terrifying that it sucked the strength out of Daniel because his "comeliness" was turned in him to "corruption".
1) The word for "comeliness" is used twice by Daniel; 10:8 and 11:21.
2) The word for "corruption" is used only one by Daniel, but other Old Testament texts generally associate it with the idea of "destruction".
C. 10:10-14 The Messenger's Initial Activities.
1. He strengthened the "man greatly beloved" so that Daniel could stand (a designation repeated in 10:19).
2. He pulled back the curtain of the activities of those who dwell in the heavens as they have impact upon those who dwell on the earth.
a. The "Persian" prince did not want Daniel to know, or reveal, the prophecies to be given, so he kept the messenger from being able to come to Daniel.
b. Michael, the great prince of Israel (12:1), helped him so that he arrived to give Daniel the great vision.
D. 10:15-21 The Messenger's Explanation to Daniel.
1. Daniel's reaction to the messenger was to turn his face to the ground and become mute.
2. One like a "man" touched his lips and he spoke: by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me... .
a. The implication is that the prayer of chapter nine came out of Daniel's awareness of just how great the wickedness of Israel was and his grief came out of this awareness (Jesus said, in the garden, that His "soul" was grieved unto death -- Matthew 26:38 -- and the reason was the coming breach between Him and the Father caused by the sins of humanity).
b. The vision apparently simply reminded Daniel of the greatness of this wickedness in Israel.
3. The "man" restated Daniel's status before God -- greatly beloved.
4. This one had been fighting with the "prince of the kingdom of Persia" for 21 days until Michael came along to help.
5. He then asked if Daniel understood and told him he had to return to fight the prince of Persia and the "prince of Greece" would come.
6. But, before he left he said he would show Daniel what was coming and that only Michael, Daniel's "prince" was available to stand with him.
