Daniel 9:1-19 -- Daniel's Prayer

In Chapter 9 we find Daniel "in the books" of Jeremiah and he realizes that the prophesied 70 years of exile are coming to a close.  His response is a deeply felt prayer of confession and repentence for the nation along with a request for God to restore the nation, the city and the people. He references the nature of God in a number of ways including His covenant keeping and steadfast love (hesed).   The answer to this prayer is revealed in the verses that follow. Gabriel brings an answer and a prophecy. Here we hear about the "Seventy Weeks".  In preparation for next week, Dr. Ray Stedman's message, found here, is a great introduction. Notes and commentary material on Chapter 9 -- including background info on the nature of covenants and the use of the word hesed/chesed in scripture -- can be found here.