Deeper Reflection
There are three post-exilic prayers of confession in the Old Testament. It is easy to remember where they are found. They are all in “Chapter 9”: Daniel 9, Ezra 9 and Nehemiah 9 (in chronological order). Each prayer has its own historical and theological context. Read all the three prayers together and observe their similarities and differences.Daniel’s prayer is a prayer of the faithful remnant in exile. Daniel, representing the faithful remnant, witnessed the persistent rebellion of their fellow people of God that had reached a point when the ultimate covenant curse of exile had poured out on them (vv.11-12). And despite “all this calamity” that had come on them, “we have not sought the favour of the LORD our God by turning from our iniquity and giving attention to Your truth” (v.13). When God’s people have reached such a spiritual condition, what can we say to God?Daniel appealed to God’s character of righteousness: “Lord, in keeping with all Your righteous acts, turn away Your anger and Your wrath from Jerusalem” (v.16, NIV). Earlier on, Daniel acknowledged that God was “righteous” in judging Israel with His covenant curses (vv.7, 14). But how is God being righteous in turning away His anger? God’s “righteous acts” “denotes more broadly God being in the right in the way He has dealt with Israel”⁷ . God’s “righteous acts” include “acts of faithfulness, commitment, mercy and deliverance”⁸ . In Scripture, God’s “righteousness” and “salvation” are often paired up together (Isa 51:5, 6, 8; Psa 98:2). The Psalmist groups God’s “righteousness” with His “steadfast love”, “faithfulness” and “judgments” (Psa 36:5-6).

⁷ John E. Goldingay, 243; emphasis mine ⁸ John E. Goldingay, 24