In Daniel chapters 2-9, we saw prophetic teaching that mostly dealt with “The Times of the Gentiles.” See Luke 21:24. We are still living in this period of history, when Gentile nations struggle for world domination. In chapters 10-12 the attention shifts to prophecy that concerns Israel’s ultimate destiny: Its humiliation & restoration. See Daniel 10:14

In chapter 10, the year is 536 BC - 2 years after Cyrus made his first decree to let Israel return (538 B.C. – See Ezra 1:1-2:1). Daniel is about 84 or 85 years old. Daniel 10:1 is written in the third-person. His Babylonian name “Belteshazzar” is used. This indicates that verse one is an official label or identification title of Chapters 10-12. Daniel will write in first-person after that. Daniel verifies the truth of the events and the vision that he had seen. The time frame covers a long period of time. The Hebrew phrase implies that this “long” time involves much conflict and war (cp. Daniel 9:25-26). Israel’s future will be troubled, but God will not fail to keep His promises. (Jeremiah 33:19-26)

Daniel is Burdened. Daniel 10:1-3

Daniel’s assurances of Israel’s future did not allow him to be carefree. Daniel knew the prophecy was true, but he painstakingly watched and prayed with fasting (Mark 13:31-36; Luke 21:33-36). Nearly 50,000 Jews returned to Jerusalem and started work on the foundations of the temple. Work was stopped by local opposition (Ezra 4). Prophecy does not just stimulate the mind. It stirs the heart and requires our souls to consider what actions we should take (Hebrews 11:7; Acts 27:21-26, 30-32; II Peter 3:10-14).

• Concerned for Israel & the world.
  We all should be concerned what happens in Israel. It affects the whole world (Psalm 122:6; Jeremiah 15:5). Consider Jeremiah (Jeremiah 8:21; 9:1-2; 10:19; 23:9); Daniel (Daniel 6:10; 9:19-20; 10:2-3); Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:1-4), Jesus Christ (Luke 19:41-44); and the Apostle Paul (Romans 9:1-5; 10:1) all wept and prayed for Jerusalem / Israel.


• Concerned for God’s Word: its influence & man’s attention to it.
  The great problems of the world are caused by man’s unbelief and sin (Psalm 119:53, 126-128, 136, 158; Isaiah 66:2; Ezra 9:3-4; Malachi 3:16-18 cp. Romans 1:9; Matthew 5:4).


• Concerned for man’s faith: how to edify others.
  Daniel was not merely curious, as he sought more truth about Israel’s future. It was even more than a personal concern. He knew he was writing a legacy of God’s promises that would help and encourage many people in the generations to come (Daniel 12:2-4, 8-10). We may not write great books, but our lives are leaving a legacy that can influence many (now and later) for good or evil (Psalm 71:14-18; 78:1-7; 145:4, 10-13; John 17:14-21; Acts 20:26-35; Romans 1:14-17 [“from faith to faith”]; II Corinthians 3:2-3; I Thessalonians 1:2 – 2:14; I Timothy 4:13-16; II Timothy 2:8-10, 22-26).