Daniel 9:13-14

“In accordance with what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, all this evil has come on us, yet have we not appeased (begged the favour of) YHWH our God, that we should turn from our iniquities and have discernment in your truth. Therefore has YHWH watched over the evil and brought it on us. For YHWH our God is righteous in all his works which he does, and we have not obeyed his voice.”

Daniel acknowledged that all that had come on Israel was exactly what had been promised in God's covenant, in the Book of the Law of Moses (compare Joshua 8:31; Joshua 23:6; 2 Kings 14:6). He also acknowledged that they could have turned from their sin and sought God's favour (for the meaning of the verb see 1 Kings 13:6; Jeremiah 26:19), but had failed to do so. They had refused to receive discernment and understanding through His truth. Thus YHWH had Himself seen all that they had done and had brought His judgment on them, something revealed in the evils that they faced (see Jeremiah 1:12; Jeremiah 31:28; Jeremiah 44:27). And he summed up the situation by acknowledging that YHWH was righteous in all that He had done and does, and that Israel's fate was simply due to their own disobedience.

Note that it was not a question of them earning their deliverance. Deliverance required the favour and mercy of God, but it would always be available if they sought Him in repentance. But nevertheless without an obedient response there could be no deliverance. Responsive faith and obedience always go together.

Daniel's Final Plea.

Daniel again begins to speak directly to God.