John Calvin Commentary Daniel 9:10

"neither have we obeyed the voice of Jehovah our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets." — Daniel 9:10 (ASV)

Here, again, Daniel shows how the Israelites provoked God’s anger against them by their wicked conduct. He points out one special kind of sin and method of acting wickedly: namely, despising the teaching which proceeded from God as its author and was expounded to them by His prophets.

We must diligently notice this, as we have previously advised. For although no one is excusable before God on the pretext of ignorance, yet we perceive how our wickedness is aggravated when we knowingly and willfully make a point of rejecting what God commands and teaches. Daniel, therefore, expands on the people’s crime by adding the circumstance that they would not hear the prophets. What would have been a fault in the Chaldeans or Assyrians was the most grievous wickedness in the elect people.

Their obstinacy was the more provoking because, while God had pointed out the way by His prophets, they had turned their backs upon Him. We have not heard. Clearly enough, this statement is added by way of explanation, as Daniel expresses the reason for their wickedness. Therefore, he calls the laws of God “doctrine,” which consists of many parts, for it is certain that nothing was omitted by God that was useful to know, and thus He had encompassed the whole perfection of justice in His discourse.

He is discussing here not only the Law of Moses but also the teaching of the prophets, as the words clearly point out; and the noun תורה, torah, “law,” is to be understood as “doctrine.” It is as if Daniel had said that God was rejected when He wished to rule His people by His prophets.

But the plural number seems to denote what I have stated: namely, that the perfection of doctrine was contained in the prophets. For God omitted nothing while He completed the revelation of whatever was necessary for the guidance of life. Yet this was rendered entirely useless by the perversity of the people’s nature, evident in their rejection of all God’s laws.

Daniel confirms this sentiment by adding, Those laws were set before the people. This shows how everything was supplied to the people, since God had plainly delivered to them whatever was necessary for the utmost degree of piety and justice. For this phrase, to put anything before one’s face, means to deliver all useful knowledge openly, clearly, and lucidly, and with great clarity and skill.

Thus, nothing is left doubtful or complicated; nothing remains obscure, unconnected, or confused. Therefore, since God had unfolded the whole scope of righteousness by His law, the people’s impiety was all the more severe and detestable because they would not receive benefit from such plain instruction. The Prophet intends by these words to show how such willful sinners were worthy of double punishment.

They are first convicted of stubborn rebellion because they had no excuse of ignorance; they made an open and furious assault upon God, for although the way was pointed out to them, they still turned aside in all directions and threw themselves headlong.

We must remember what I have previously mentioned—namely, the value of an external ministry—for we are aware how the ancient people, when rebellious against the prophets, used to pretend that they did not truly despise God.

Therefore, just as hypocrites think their sins are concealed by such a covering, Daniel clearly expresses that God is despised in His prophets, even though He neither descends from heaven nor sends down His angels. This is the meaning of the expression, the prophets were the servants of God. It declares that they taught nothing rashly, or in their own name, or by their own impulse, but faithfully executed the Almighty’s commands. It follows:—