John Calvin Commentary Daniel 9:12

"And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil; for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem." — Daniel 9:12 (ASV)

Daniel pursues the same sentiment, showing how the Israelites had no cause whatever for complaining to God because they were so heavily afflicted, and no reason for doubting either its origin or intention. For now everything had happened exactly as it had been predicted long ago.

God, therefore, has stirred up his word against us; as if he had said, there is no reason why we should strive with God, for we see his truthfulness in the punishments he has inflicted on us, and his threats are not mere empty scarecrows or fictional stories made up to frighten children.

God now truly proves how seriously he had spoken. What then is the use of our turning our backs on him, or why should we seek empty excuses when God’s truthfulness shines brightly in our destruction? Do we wish to deprive God of his truthfulness? Surely, however earnestly we try, we will never succeed.

Therefore, let this be enough to condemn us: God has predicted everything that occurs, and thus effectively and experientially proves himself an avenger. God, therefore, ratified his word; that is, God’s word would have remained without the slightest effectiveness and force, unless this curse had been suspended over our heads. But while we lie prostrate and almost buried under our calamities, God’s word is lifted high; that is, God makes his truthfulness clearly visible, which otherwise would hardly be perceptible at all.

Unless God punished the wickedness of men, who would not treat the threats of his law as childish? But when he demonstrates by clear proofs the very best reasons for terrifying mankind, effectiveness and force are immediately imparted to his words. Besides this, Daniel here intends to strip away all excuses, and to cause the people to candidly acknowledge and truly feel that they are justly afflicted.

He says, against us and against our judges, who judged us. Again, Daniel throws down all arrogance of the flesh, with the aim of exalting God alone and of preventing any human glory from obscuring the authority of the Law. For we know how the common people think they have a shield to defend all their crimes when they can cite the example of kings and judges.

Even today, whenever we argue against the superstitions of the Papacy, they say, “Well, if we do make a mistake, yet God has set over us both kings and bishops who rule us in their own way; why then should we be blamed when we have God’s command for following those who are endowed with power and dignity?” Therefore, since the common people generally grasp at an excuse like this, Daniel again affirms that although those who transgress God’s law are endowed with great worldly authority, they are still not exempt from blame or punishment, nor can the ordinary people be excused if they follow their example.

Therefore, as he had spoken by Moses against our judges who judged us, he says; that is, although power had been conferred on them to rule us, yet its entire ordination is from God. Yet after they had utterly abused their government, violated God’s justice, and thus had tried to pull God down, if possible, from his high position, Daniel asserts that their high position will by no means shelter them from the consequences of transgression.

He afterwards adds, To bring upon us a great evil, which has never happened under the whole heavens, as it has now occurred at Jerusalem. Here Daniel foresaw an objection that had some slight force. Although God had deservedly punished the Israelites, yet when he displayed his anger against them more severely than against other nations, he might seem forgetful of his equity.

Daniel here removes all appearance of inconsistency, even if God is more severe against his elect people than against profane nations, because the impiety of this people was far greater than that of all others on account of their ingratitude, stubborn rebellion, and unyielding obstinacy, as we have already said. Since the Israelites surpassed all nations in malice, ingratitude, and all kinds of wickedness, Daniel here declares how thoroughly their disastrous afflictions were deserved.

Again, we are reminded here, whenever God severely chastises his Church, of that principle to which we must return: namely, our impiety is more detestable to God the nearer he approaches us; and the kinder he is to us, the more accountable we are, unless we, in turn, prove ourselves grateful and obedient.

This state of affairs should not seem troublesome to us, as vengeance begins at the house of God, and he displays examples of his wrath against his own people that are far more tremendous than against others; this, I say, we should not take badly, as I have already explained its reason.

It does not surprise us to find the Gentiles groping in darkness, but when God shines on us and we resist him with determined willfulness, we are doubly impious. This comparison, therefore, must be noted, as evil was poured out on Jerusalem; meaning, no similar punishment was inflicted on other nations, for what happened to Jerusalem, says Daniel, never occurred under the whole heaven.