Deeper ReflectionVerses 24 to 27 are “a schematic sketch of history to come, not a
detailed chronology within which we can dogmatically assign
dates, persons and events,” and “even though the details may
be hazy or open to differing plausible theories, there is enough overall
shape to the scheme to help us see” “the main point of the text”
28 .
“Seven weeks”: When we fail God, even as unfaithful as Israel, such
that God had to pour out on them His ultimate covenant curse – exile
(Dan 9:11-12), God remains faithful. He will restore and rebuild us
as He has promised in His “decree” (v.25; cf. Jer 30:18).
“Sixty-two
weeks”: Like Israel, having being restored and rebuilt, we will fail
again. We see this up-and-down and up-and-down pattern in post-exilic Israel: Restoration (Ezr 1-8) followed by transgression (Ezr 9-10);
and restoration (Neh 1-12) followed by transgression (Neh 13). Biblical
discipleship is a redemptive three steps forward, two step back reality.
This redemptive discipleship period consists of “times of distress” (v.25).
“One week”: As history progresses, repeated terrible times and even
climactic challenges lay ahead in the distant future for God’s people.
29However,
in all that happen in the seven weeks, sixty-two weeks
and one week periods,
God is at work in fulfilling His promises
in verse 24, within the divinely “decreed” “
seventy weeks” – “the
complete and perfect time that God determines”
30 . Note that all that happen are “decreed” by God (vv.24, 26, 27) and will have an “end”
(vv.24, 26). So, with this prophetic-theological vision, we walk with God
faithfully, watching vigilantly and waiting patiently with certainty and
confidence.
28 Christopher J. H. Wright, 209-10
29 Christopher J. H. Wright, 210
30 Gordon Wong, 134
