Michael your prince— This shews in what sense the word prince is to be understood in the preceding parts of this chapter, and to what order of beings it is to be applied. Michael and Gabriel were probably the tutelary angels of the Jews. These names do not occur in any books of the Old Testament that were written before the captivity. Castell mentions the names of four that were said to stand around the throne of God, Michael, Uriel, Gabriel, and Raphael; two only of which seem to be named in Scripture. But whatever may be determined concerning their names, it is certain, from various passages of the Old Testament, that ministering spirits continually attend upon the service of God, and execute the divine commands. In the two last verses these blessed spirits appear to have been intended. We know, and can know, no more of the offices or employments of these celestial agents than what is revealed to us, and therefore it is in vain to indulge conjecture. In general we may conclude, that they will be favourable or unfavourable to any nation or people according to the state of religion, holiness, and virtue among them; and that all things and all powers will work together for good to those who fear and love God.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, In the third year of Cyrus, this last of Daniel's prophesies bears date. He was now a very aged man, and high in the favour of God, who revealed to him another scene of events, which would certainly come to pass in their appointed season: and this vision was not couched under any emblematical figures, as the former, but delivered in direct words; so that he had a clear understanding of the facts related, and of the things which should come to pass.
We have an account,
1. Of the situation in which the prophet was, when this vision appeared to him: he had been mourning three full weeks, and ate no pleasant bread; what he used was coarse as well as scanty; he neither tasted flesh nor wine, nor anointed himself during the whole time, but spent it in deep humiliation of soul and body before the Lord. The cause, some suggest, was the wickedness of the Jews which he had foreseen, in cutting off the Messiah, and the desolations which would follow: or, as others, the backwardness of many in Babylon to return to Jerusalem; or the obstruction and difficulties that they met with who were returned to Judaea. But whatever was the cause, it shewed the mortified spirit of this holy saint of God, and the concern that he bore toward his people.
2. A glorious personage appears to him: he was by the river Hiddekel, with others probably assembled for the purposes of devotion, when, lifting up his eyes, he saw a certain man, &c. This glorious person was visible to him, but not to those who were with him; yet they heard and saw enough to fill them with deep consternation, so that they fled to hide themselves; while Daniel remained alone with this celestial personage, and overwhelmed fell into a swoon at his feet, pale as death, and his strength utterly gone: yet, though prostrate on the ground, and his bodily senses locked up in sleep, he heard the voice of his words.
2nd, From this debilitated state of body, the prophet is by degrees restored, and raised up to hear the words of the vision.
1. An hand touched me, and raised him upon his hands and knees, then bid him stand upright, which he did, though still trembling. Thus the Lord himself raises up dejected souls from the depths of despair; a beam of hope and comfort first breaks in: improving the little strength that God bestows, they begin to stand up; yet, notwithstanding this, their fears and doubts frequently for a while keep them trembling.
2. The angel kindly encourages him: he assures him of God's great regard to him, and bids him not fear, but receive with attention what he was about to declare to him; for God had heard his supplications from the moment he began to speak, had respect unto his humiliations, and had sent on purpose to acquaint him of what should befal his people in the latter days; for the prophesy extends to the most distant events, even to the reign of Antichrist, the resurrection of the dead, and the end of time; for the vision is for many days. The angel farther informs him, that he was detained in the court of Persia one and twenty days, the time of Daniel's mourning, to counteract the devices of the prince of the kingdom of Persia, either Cambyses, or rather an evil angel, who had been endeavouring at the court of Persia to do some mischief to the people of God; but the enemy was disappointed; for Michael, a chief archangel, came to Gabriel's help, and aided him to disappoint the designs that were forming; for which end he had abode so long with the king and nobles of Persia. Note; (1.) A sense of God's love to our souls, is the grand barrier against terrifying fear. (2.) The moment God's people begin to speak, his ear is attentive to their prayers, and he is ready to grant their petitions. (3.) Whatever plots devils or men form against Christ's people, he is able to baffle their attempts, and save his faithful ones from the power of evil. (4.) Though we need not pry curiously into the nature and employment of angels, much less pay them adoration, we may be thankful to their great Master who employs them, for unnumbered kind offices that we owe them, when ourselves were not apprehensive of the least danger.
3. The prophet, though raised upon his feet, with downcast eyes, dumb with amazement and awe, stood statue-like and motionless at these words, till the same kind hand which probably raised him before, touched his lips, and gave him liberty of speech: when, with great respect addressing the heavenly messenger, the prophet owns his terrors, and acknowledges their cause. The vision had overpowered him, conscious of his own defilement and impurity; for saith he, How can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord.
4. To remove all his fears, the third time the angelic messenger drew near, and by a touch communicated strength unto him, that he might be capable of conversing with him, and attending to the message that he was sent to bring him. To remove all his fears, the angel repeats the assurances of God's love; encourages him to resume his wonted peace; wishes him all prosperity in body and soul; bids him be strong in the Lord and the power of his might, and cast away every distressing apprehension, since God so highly regarded him. Power accompanied his word; and Daniel, now sensible of an increase of strength, and acknowledging the favour, is ready, with deepest respect, to hear whatever his honoured visitant should say. Note; (1.) God speaks peace to the troubled consciences of his praying and believing people, and by his Spirit seals the word in their hearts. (2.) Though of ourselves weak as infancy, we can do all things through Christ strengthening us.
5. He gives him in general a hint of what he more fully explains afterwards. Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? it was, as he had told him, in answer to his prayers, and to inform him concerning his people; and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia; to continue to baffle his malice against the people of God: and when I am gone forth, having finished his work successfully, lo! the prince of Grecia shall come. See the Annotations. But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth, concerning these future events: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince. The glorious God, by whose upholding strength the ministry of his servants becomes effectual, will be the everlasting protector and defender of his faithful saints from all the malice and enmity of earth or hell.