Daniel 9:15
And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Daniel doesn't just recount God's past faithfulness; he explicitly links it to God's renown. He prays that God would act now for the very purpose of proving to the world, just as He did with the Exodus, that He is God and that His reputation for faithfulness is not diminished.
Daniel is in the midst of a profound prayer of confession and petition, wrestling with the meaning of the seventy years of exile revealed in Jeremiah's prophecy. He begins by acknowledging God's incredible power and faithfulness in delivering Israel from Egypt, a foundational act that established God's renown and covenant relationship. Immediately after recalling this past mercy, Daniel pivots to confess the people's deep sinfulness, recognizing that their current suffering is a direct result of their disobedience.
Daniel begins his urgent prayer by reminding God of a monumental event: the Exodus from Egypt. Why start here?
The Exodus: More Than a Memory
Daniel doesn't just recall the Exodus; he uses it as a powerful argument before God. This wasn't just ancient history; it was the foundational act that established Israel as God's chosen people and demonstrated His mighty power. Daniel is essentially saying, 'Lord, you started something amazing back then, proving your faithfulness and power. That same power and faithfulness are what we need now!'
This connection highlights a vital truth about prayer:
God 'made a name for yourself' through the Exodus. What does this mean, and why does Daniel bring it up now?
God's Reputation on the Line
The phrase 'hast gotten thee renown' or 'made you a name' points to God establishing His reputation. The Exodus wasn't just about saving Israel; it was a public declaration of who God is – powerful, sovereign, and faithful – to both His people and the surrounding nations. God's glory was, in a sense, tied to the outcome of this grand rescue.
Daniel's prayer here is profound:
Understand the original words
yad chazaqah · Hebrew Noun phrase
To exercise supreme authority or power in a way that demonstrates greatness, often associated with divine acts of deliverance.
rasha · Hebrew Verb
To act with premeditated or intentional malice and moral corruption, often implying a rejection of God's ways.
Daniel's prayer in exile recalls God's foundational deliverance from Egypt and contrasts it with their current sinfulness, highlighting how the Babylonian exile was seen as a repeat, though more severe, consequence of disobedience compared to earlier judgments.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God miraculously delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt under Moses' leadership, demonstrating His power and faithfulness. This event established God's renown as a deliverer.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Deportations of Israel
The Northern Kingdom of Israel was largely conquered by the Assyrian Empire, with many of its inhabitants deported. This event served as a warning of divine judgment for disobedience.
597 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquered Jerusalem and deported a significant portion of the population, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon. This marked the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar's forces destroyed Jerusalem and the First Temple, leading to a final, larger deportation of Judeans to Babylon. This was the low point for the people of Judah.
Jeremiah also pleads with God by recalling the Exodus and His establishing His name through it, demonstrating a consistent pattern in Israel's prayers of appealing to past faithfulness in times of present distress.
Nehemiah 9:9-15This passage is a prayer of confession and petition that also begins by recounting God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, highlighting how this event served as a constant reminder of God's power and faithfulness for His people.
Isaiah 63:11-14The prophet Isaiah reflects on God's past guidance of Israel through the wilderness after the Exodus, showing a similar theme of remembering God's strength and care from the past to petition for present intervention.
Psalm 106:6-12This psalm narrates Israel's history, beginning with the Exodus, and how they praised God for it, underscoring the significance of this deliverance as a touchstone for their relationship with God and their appeals to Him.
ellicottDaniel 9:15: "And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly."
(15) Thou hast brought.— The mention of past mercies moves Daniel to pray that future mercies may be granted. His language is founded partly upon Jeremiah 32:17-23 , and partly upon Isaiah 63:11-16 . The Babylonian exile is frequently compared by Isaiah ( e.g., Isaiah 51:9-10 ) to Egyptian bond…
bensonDaniel 9:15: "And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly."
Daniel 9:15 . And now, O Lord, who hast brought thy people forth, &c. — A form of supplication used in several places of Scripture, whereby devout persons entreat God to continue his favours, by recounting his former mercies toward them. And hast gotten thee renown, or, made thee a name, as at…
Daniel doesn't just recount God's past faithfulness; he explicitly links it to God's renown. He prays that God would act now for the very purpose of proving to the world, just as He did with the Exodus, that He is God and that His reputation for faithfulness is not diminished.
Daniel is in the midst of a profound prayer of confession and petition, wrestling with the meaning of the seventy years of exile revealed in Jeremiah's prophecy. He begins by acknowledging God's incredible power and faithfulness in delivering Israel from Egypt, a foundational act that established God's renown and covenant relationship. Immediately after recalling this past mercy, Daniel pivots to confess the people's deep sinfulness, recognizing that their current suffering is a direct result of their disobedience.
Daniel is in the midst of a profound prayer of confession and petition, wrestling with the meaning of the seventy years of exile revealed in Jeremiah's prophecy. He begins by acknowledging God's incredible power and faithfulness in delivering Israel from Egypt, a foundational act that established God's renown and covenant relationship. Immediately after recalling this past mercy, Daniel pivots to confess the people's deep sinfulness, recognizing that their current suffering is a direct result of their disobedience.
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Sandwiched between remembering God's past glory and pleading for future action, Daniel inserts a stark confession: 'we have sinned, we have done wickedly.' Why this abrupt turn?
Acknowledging Sin: The Path to God's Ear
It might seem counterintuitive, but Daniel doesn't lead with his plea for deliverance. Instead, he begins with a deep, heartfelt confession of sin. This isn't just a formality; it's crucial for authentic prayer.
Here's why this confession is so significant:
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquered the Babylonian Empire, paving the way for the return of exiled peoples, including the Jews. This marked a shift in geopolitical power.
c. 538 BC— this verse
Edict of Cyrus and Return of Exiles
Cyrus issued a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This fulfilled prophecies and marked the beginning of the return.
"And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly." — Daniel doesn't just recount God's past faithfulness; he explicitly links it to God's renown. He prays that God would act now for the very purpose of proving to the world, just as He did with the…
