Dan. 10 Daniel, having humbled himself, seeth a glorious vision, and is troubled with fear, Dan. 10:1–9. An angel comforteth him, and, telling him of the opposition of the prince of Persia, the assistance he had from Michael, and the coming in of the prince of Grecia, promiseth him further…

This fell out in the thirty-first year, which was the last year of the kingdom of Persia, but the third year after his seizure and monarchy of Babylon; indeed it is said, Dan. 1:21, that Daniel continued to the first year of Cyrus, i.e. in his place of honour, but he lived much longer.

There are several causes of Daniel’s mourning. 1. Because the Jews had liberty to go out of captivity, yet many of them staid still in Babylon. 2. Because when they were building the temple, walls, and city they were greatly hindered and molested, Ezra 4:4. 3.

Fasting and feasting are very inconsistent; Daniel at other times lived magnificently, according to the dignity of his place, he had the best bread, flesh, wine, and anointing after the manner of the East, all which he laid aside, that by austerity he might afflict his body, and quicken his soul…

The first month; it was the month Nisan, which is March. This Hiddekel was Tigris, which is a great branch of Euphrates: the prophets had many of their visions by rivers.

He beheld wistly and with a composed mind. A certain man; which man some will have an angel, either Gabriel, who appeared to him before, or Michael, chief among the angels, Jude 9, archangel, who is mentioned after. Or rather, Christ, who was true man. 1.

Like the beryl, which is of a sea colour; others translate it the chrysolite, others the jacinth, the word in the text כתרשיש like the tarsis, this is a colour like the sea: the beryl, which is azure, and like the heavens, show Christ to be immortal and glorious, the Lord from heaven, heavenly, 1…

So Luke 24:16, Acts 9:7. 1. The Lord hereby shows his power over our senses, both outward and inward, in a signal, distinguishing way. 2. The weakness of mortals to see or hear heavenly things, unless he strengthen them. 3.

This great vision; great in the appearance, and great in the great things revealed. There remained no strength in me; by the recoiling of his spirits inward.

Yet heard I the voice of his words; nevertheless he made me to hear: here was power in weakness, and yet this added to his fear and frailty. Then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground; as one that swooned, or as one that slumbered, and as one that adored the ground.

What a poor worm is man to crush or to raise by the mighty hand of God! This dealt the angel Gabriel with him before, Dan. 8:16–17.

A man greatly beloved: the Lord moulds and models us as clay in his hands to receive his impressions: we are not fit for any great thing till we are abased; and yet when we are vilest in our eyes we are most precious in God’s eyes. Understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright.

1. The Lord is quick in hearing the fervent prayer of a humble soul, though he doth not presently let them know it. God heard the first day, though he sent not his angel to tell Daniel of it till three weeks after. 2.

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: this place hath some difficulty, therefore variously expounded. Some expound it of earthly princes, some of angels, and among them some will have good angels meant, who they say have the patronage of the kingdoms and…

Now at last, with much ado, after the contest is over, I am come to give thee understanding touching all the purposes and providences of God relating to his church: this made amends for the delay; this was the comfortable effect of effectual fervent prayer; this was God’s overflowing kindness to…

He was not yet quite free of all his fear, of which we heard, Dan. 10:9; haply this pressed him down the more, when he considered the majesty of the angel, the greatness of the vision, and his own frailty; this transported him with astonishment; and above all, that he saw so much of God in it, in…

One like the similitude of the sons of men; an angel in the shape of a man, and no other but Jesus Christ, as before he that had humbled him now helped and encouraged him. I opened my mouth, and spake; which cannot be till the Lord touch our lips, Ps. 51:15, Isa. 6:5–7, Jer. 1:9.

The condition of the church under the gospel is a better dispensation than the law and the prophets, when God spake often by angels; but now by his Son, and that not in angelical shape and splendour, but as a mean man, in a meek and humble garb, and most familiar, Isa. 61:1–3, John 13:5, Acts 3:22.

Daniel needed a second touch, and another word of encouragement, before he could hear and bear the angel’s words as to the vision and prophecy; and now, being fortified by degrees, he hath got courage.

The Lord is gracious and compassionate towards his saints under their infirmities, Ps. 103:13–14. And this tender carriage towards him was a token for good to him and his people, that the Lord would be propitious to them.

Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? i.e. by what I have said already, and what I have further to tell thee upon thy prayers, which God hath accepted, and hath given me in charge to reveal to thee as followeth to the end.

In the scripture of truth, i.e. in the peremptory decree and purpose of God, more authentic and unalterable than the laws of the Medes and Persians. Now God hath appointed to deliver the Jews from the Persians by the Greeks; and from the Greeks by the Maccabees, especially the Seleucidae and…