Daniel 10:13

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. BUT THE PRINCE OF ... PERSIA WITHSTOOD ME - the angel of darkness that represented the Persian world-power, to which Israel was then subject, withstood the angel who was coming to relieve Daniel, as the representative of God's people Israel. This verse gives the reason why, though Daniel's "words were heard from the first day" (Daniel 10:12), the good angel did not come to him until more than three weeks had elapsed (Daniel 10:4). ONE AND TWENTY DAYS - answering to the "three full weeks" of Daniel's mourning ...

The angel now assigns a reason why he did not appear at once, and at the very first moment to the Prophet, who might complain as follows, — “What treatment is this, to suffer me to consume away through grief for so long a period?” for Daniel had remained through three weeks in succession in the severest affliction. God had heard him, indeed, from the very first day; how, then, could he still behold this wretched man thus prostrate in mourning? why did not God cause it to appear openly and really that he had not prayed in vain? The angel now meets this objection, and shews how he had been otherwise occupied in promoting the Prophet’s welfare. We ought carefully to notice this, because delay often disturbs us when God does not immediately extend his help, and for a long time hides from us the fruit of our prayers. Whenever our passions burst forth with a strong impetuosity, and we easily m...

10-21 Whenever we enter into communion with God, it becomes us to have a due sense of the infinite distance between us and the holy God. How shall we, that are dust and ashes, speak to the Lord of glory? Nothing is more likely, nothing more effectual to revive the drooping spirits of the saints, than to be assured of God's love to them. From the very first day we begin to look toward God in a way of duty, he is ready to meet us in the way of mercy. Thus ready is God to hear prayer. When the angel had told the prophet of the things to come, he was to return, and oppose the decrees of the Persian kings against the Jews. The angels are employed as God's ministering servants, Hebrews 1:14. Though much was done against the Jews by the kings of Persia, God permitting it, much more mischief would have been done if God had not prevented it. He would now more fully show what were God's purposes,...

Verse 13. _BUT THE PRINCE OF THE KINGDOM OF PERSIA WITHSTOOD ME_] I think it would go far to make a _legend_ or a precarious _tale_ of this important place to endeavour to maintain that either a _good_ or _evil_ ANGEL is intended here. _Cyrus_ alone was the _prince of_ _Persia_, and God had destined him to be the deliverer of his people; but there were some matters, of which we are not informed, that caused him to hesitate for some time. Fearing, probably, the greatness of the work, and not being fully satisfied of his ability to execute it, he therefore for a time _resisted the secret_ _inspirations_ which God had sent him. The opposition might be in reference to the building of the temple. _BUT LO, MICHAEL_] Gabriel, who speaks, did not leave Cyrus till Michael came to take his place. Michael, _he who is like God_, sometimes appears to signify the _Messiah_, at other times the highe

BUT THE PRINCE OF THE KINGDOM OF PERSIA - In explaining this very difficult verse it may be proper (1) to consider the literal sense of the words; (2) to deduce the fair meaning of the passage as thus explained; and (3) to notice the practical truths taught. The word rendered “prince” - שׂר _s'ar_ - means, properly, a leader, commander, chief, as of troops, Genesis 21:22; of a king’s body-guard, Genesis 37:36; of cup-bearers, Genesis 41:9; of a prison,...

EXPOSITION DANIEL 10:1 THE ANGELS OF THE NATIONS. The three chapters (10, 11; and 12.) form a section apart from the rest of Daniel. One marked peculiarity is the long and very old interpolation which occupies nearly the whole of Daniel 11:1. Not improbably something has dropped out, and. not a few things have been modified in consequence of this interpolation. DANIEL 10:1 In the third year of Cyrus King of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long; and he understood the t

BUT THE PRINCE OF THE KINGDOM OF PERSIA WITHSTOOD ME ONE AND TWENTY DAYS,.... Which was just the time Daniel had been mourning and fasting, Daniel 10:2, and the angel had had his instructions to acquaint him with the Lord's answer to his prayers: by "the prince of the kingdom of Persia" is not to be understood the then reigning king of Persia, Cyrus, or his son Cambyses; who either of them would have been called rather king of Persia; nor were they able to withstand an angel, and such an one as Gabriel; nor is a good angel meant, the tutelar one of this kingdom; for it cannot be reasonably thought that good angels should militate against one another; but an evil angel, either Satan, the prince and god of this world, or one of his principal angels under him, employed by him to do what mischief he could in the court of Persia, against the people of God, the Jews; and with this sense agree...

PRINCE OF (CF11\UL DAN_10:20) The intimation is clear that as the holy angels are sent forth in behalf of the heirs of salvation, so demons are concerned in behalf of the world-system of Satan. (John 7:7); (Revelation 13:8)....

CHAPTER 10 THE PREPARATION FOR THE FINAL PROPHECY This chapter contains the preface to the final great prophecies as found in the last two Chapter s of this book. The certain man who appeared unto Daniel at the banks of the river Hiddekel (Tigris) was the Lord. Compare with Revelation 1:1, where John, the beloved disciple, beheld Him in a vision of glory. Daniel's vision is a pre-incarnation vision of the same One whom John beheld after His resurrection and in His glorified humanity. The delayed answer by the angelic messenger is explained by the power of darkness. A powerful demon-prince, a satanic agency, having control over Persia, so that he claimed the title the prince of Persia, kept back the answer. Then the prophet was strengthened....

DANIEL 10. INTRODUCTION TO THE FINAL VISION. The last three Chapter s of Daniel form a unity and describe the final vision. Daniel 10 is introductory. A shining being appears to Daniel near the great river and tells him that he has been sent in answer to his prayers. The guardian angel of Persia had tried to intercept him, but Michael the protector of Israel had come to his assistance. DANIEL 10:1. THIRD YEAR OF CYRUS: 535 B.C, the latest date in the Book. Daniel 10:4. the great river: elsewhere (_cf. Genesis 15:18_) the Euphrates is described in this way, and as the Hiddekel, _i.e._ the Tigris, was 50 miles from Babylon, Charles thinks the name of the river is an interpolation....