John Calvin Commentary Daniel 10:8

"So I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me; for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength." — Daniel 10:8 (ASV)

This language all tends to the same purpose—to assure us that Daniel did not write his own comments rashly, but was truly and clearly taught by the angel on all the points which he committed to writing. Thus, all hesitation is removed regarding our embracing what we will later perceive, as he is a faithful interpreter of God.

He first states he saw a vision. He had said so before, but he repeats it to produce a proper impression. He calls the vision great, to arouse our attention to its importance. He adds, he was deprived of all vigor, as if he had been rendered lifeless by the power of the Spirit.

Thus we understand the purpose of displaying all these outward signs: they not only bring before us God speaking by the mouth of his angel, but they also prepared the Prophet himself and trained him in reverence. God, however, does not terrify his children as if our unease were a source of delight to him, but solely because it is profitable for us. For unless our carnal feelings were utterly subdued, we would never be fit to receive instruction.

This necessarily requires violence, because of our inborn perverseness; and this is the reason why the Prophet was reduced to this state of lifelessness.

Even my comeliness, or beauty, or appearance, was turned to corruption; meaning, his deformity was similar to that induced by death. He adds, I did not retain my vigor. He uses a variety of phrases to show himself overwhelmed by the divine impact, for only a slight amount of vitality remained, and he was barely kept from actual death.

We should learn to apply this lesson to ourselves: not by our strength vanishing or our appearance changing whenever God speaks to us, but by all our resistance yielding, and all our pride and arrogance falling prostrate before God.

Finally, our carnal disposition ought to be completely brought to nothing, as true teachableness will never be found in us until all our carnal inclinations are completely mortified. For we must always remember how hostile all our natural thoughts are to the will of God.

What follows next—but I cannot proceed further today; I must delay my comment on the next verses until tomorrow.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, as you formerly appeared to Daniel your holy servant, and to the other prophets, and by their doctrine rendered your glory conspicuous to us to this day, that we may reverently approach and behold it. When we have become entirely devoted to you, may those mysteries, which it has pleased you to offer through their hand and labors, receive from us their due estimation. May we be cast down in ourselves and be raised by hope and faith towards heaven; when prostrate before your face, may we so conduct ourselves in the world that, in the meantime, we become free from all the depraved desires and passions of our flesh, and dwell mentally in heaven. Then at last may we be withdrawn from this earthly warfare, and arrive at that heavenly rest which you have prepared for us, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.