John Calvin Commentary Daniel 10:11

"And he said unto me, O Daniel, thou man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright; for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling." — Daniel 10:11 (ASV)

He here relates how he was strengthened by the angel's exhortation. He now begins to raise himself from his former position, and the angel now orders him to raise his drooping spirits and calls him a man greatly beloved. We have previously discussed this word, which some refer to Daniel's zeal and interpret passively, because he was inspired with a most invincible ardor due to his anxiety for the common welfare of the Church.

I rather incline to the opposite view, thinking he was so called due to the intensity of his desires, because he was dear and precious to God. By this epithet, the angel wished to encourage the holy Prophet and to calm and quiet his mind for listening to what he so ardently expected.

Understand, therefore, he says, or attend to, the words which I shall speak to thee, and stand upright. Some translate it, ‘in your station,’ but ‘station’ does not refer to the position of the body. I have already shown how the Prophet was not then quite prostrate; his face was towards the earth, while he was supported by his hands and knees, and we now perceive him raised another step.

This doctrine is profitable to us, because many think themselves utterly neglected and deserted by God unless they immediately regain their mental rigor. But God does not restore to life all at once those whom He has rendered all but lifeless; instead, He conveys new life by degrees and inspires the dead with fresh animation. We perceive this to have been done in Daniel's case.

Therefore, I am never surprised when God raises us gradually by distinct steps and cures our infirmity by degrees. If even a single drop of His virtue is supplied to us, we should be content with this consolation until He completes what He has begun within us. Lastly, this passage unfolds to us how God works in His servants: by not rendering them perfect all at once, but allowing some infirmity to remain until the completion of His own work.

Daniel afterwards adds, When he heard this address, he stood up. We here observe the effect and fruit of the angel's exhortation, as Daniel no longer needed to support himself on his hands and knees. He could stand upright, although he adds, he remained trembling.

Although thus erect in body, he was not entirely free from feelings of dread; and, though he stood upon his feet, he was not yet relieved from all trepidation, even at the angel's command. This confirms my previous remark: God leaves in His servants some signs of fear to remind them of their infirmity. They venture to raise themselves by hope above the world, but they do not forget they are but dust and ashes and so restrain themselves within the bounds of humility and modesty.

It now follows: