Daniel & God's Sovereignty (Part 3)

In the previous blog we learned that people who interpret the 70 weeks of Daniel LITERALLY focus on using the numbers (49, 434, and 7) to calculate significant dates and a timeline for God's prophetic plan. Conversely, according to the people who interpret the 70 weeks of Daniel FIGURATIVELY (or literarily), this is not believed to be a major emphasis in Daniel 9.

While people who hold to a figurative interpretation don't object to the idea that the passage provides some general indication of sequence and time lapse between events, they focus more on the significance and symbolic meaning of the numbers. This doesn't mean that those who adhere to the figurative approach don't believe in a literal fulfillment of the prophecy. NO. These people literally believe that Jerusalem will be restored, an Anointed One will come, the Anointed One will be cut off, and the city and sanctuary will be destroyed. However, people who adhere to this interpretation don't believe that the passage provides an exact timeline for future prophetic events because this, according to them, is not the author's intent (nor God's intent).

Many object to this type of literary approach to prophetic literature because assigning symbolism to a passage is thought to be very subjective and arbitrary. This was certainly true during the Middle Ages where a type of subjective, symbolic interpretation (often called spiritual or mystical anagogy) was used. However, the figurative approach described here does not assign symbolic meanings to the text arbitrarily (as we'll see below).

THE SYMBOLISM IN DANIEL 9
So why not take the numbers in Daniel 9 literally? Well, the Jewish people would have quickly understood the symbolism and meaning behind the numbers given in Daniel 9.

49 (seven weeks). The number of years that must pass until the year of Jubilee when all of the slaves are freed and the land is returned to its original owners. (Leviticus 25) 

7 (one week).  The number of years in a Sabbatical cycle where during the seventh year the land was to lie fallow and all agricultural activity was forbidden. It is also a number that represents completeness or perfection. (Leviticus 25)

70 sevens (the total number of weeks). The 70 instances that Israel failed to observe the Sabbatical year (according to Jeremiah in 2 Chronicles 36:21) multiplied sevenfold in accordance with the Mosaic Law of Leviticus 26:18. Also, this number would represent exactly 10 Jubilee Year cycles. And the number 10 (just like 7) symbolizes completeness or perfection. For this same reason, Jeremiah's 70 years in 2 Chronicles 36:21 are also symbolic of a complete amount of time for the land to rest (7 X 10 = 70).

So how does this help us figuratively understand the 70 weeks of Daniel? The symbolism behind the number of weeks (seventy weeks, seven weeks & one week) corresponds to the events described by Daniel that are to transpire during the three periods of weeks (or the THREE PHASES as discussed in the last blog)! Let me explain.

Overall, the 70 weeks (or 490 units of time) in Daniel's prophecy serve as a period of judgment by God to satisfy the requirements of Leviticus 26:14-46 which call for a sevenfold discipline for defiant, high-handed sin. Israel failed to observe 70 Sabbatical years (2 Chronicles 36:21) and so they will be disciplined sevenfold or seventy sevens for this sin. But also, the 70 weeks represent exactly 10 JUBILEE cycles (49 X 10 = 490). And so by the end of these seventy weeks, we would expect complete freedom to be made available to all PEOPLE. And as Daniel 9:24 makes clear, complete freedom from sin and injustice is made available to people by the end of the seventy weeks; Sin and injustice are "finished" (hb: kalle). Do you see the connection between the number of weeks (seventy weeks) and the events (complete, Jubilee freedom from sin and injustice)?

At the beginning of the first seven weeks (49 units of time), the people return to their land. Why? It's the year of Jubilee and the people are allowed to reclaim their land! But then during the seven weeks, the people help to restore and rebuild Jerusalem in times of trouble. This trouble perfectly fits the circumstances surrounding the rebuilding of the Temple and the walls of Jerusalem given in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah (see Ezra 4:4, 24; Neh. 4). And so this seven weeks brings complete rest (or sabbath) and freedom (or Jubilee) back to the LAND. The land was completely rebuilt and restored! Do you see the connection between the number of weeks (seven weeks) and the events (the complete rebuilding and restoring of the land)?

The last week represents the final Sabbatical cycle before the 10th and perfect Jubilee. During this final week, the Anointed One will arrive. What might have come to mind to a Jewish person upon hearing the title 'Anointed One'? How about Isaiah 61? After all, it was the Anointed One who would free the people and bring them a SABBATH rest and a JUBILEE freedom from sin and injustice. Jesus certainly was aware of this when He quoted Isaiah 61 in Luke 4:18-19. And from what we know now, Jesus accomplished this SABBATH rest by dying for our sin (and thus bringing an end to sacrifice and offering) and cleansing the land of corruption and injustice through the destruction of the Temple. Do you see the connection between the number of weeks (one seven) and the events (a complete rest from sin and injustice)?

But what about the 62 weeks given in Daniel 9? Does this number have any symbolic meaning? NO. And this is to be expected. Why? Nothing happens during the 62 weeks! These weeks simply anticipate the final week which is ultimately inaugurated by the coming of the Anointed One.

SUMMARY OF THE FIGURATIVE APPROACH
So how do the 70 weeks fit into the actual events of history? People who read Daniel 9 figuratively usually hold that Cyrus' decree to rebuild the Temple (538 BC) is the starting point for the seventy weeks (which is exactly 49 years from the fall of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 587 BC!). The choice of Cyrus' decree as the starting point is based largely on Isaiah 44:28 where God says, "Who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please; he will say of Jerusalem, 'Let it be rebuilt,' and of the temple, 'Let its foundation be laid.'" Also, it just seems to make sense that the rebuilding of the Temple would fall under the umbrella of restoring Jerusalem (even though this is not explicitly stated).

The first seven weeks are then spent rebuilding the temple and restoring Jerusalem. According to this approach, this FIRST PHASE was completed when the walls of Jerusalem were finished by Nehemiah. Ezra 4:4, 24 tells us that the rebuilding of Jerusalem happened in 'times of trouble.' This corresponds nicely to the details given in Daniel 9. And so PHASE ONE ended around 444 BC and lasted roughly 94 years.

The middle 62 weeks end with the coming of the Anointed One. This point is usually marked by Jesus' baptism when He was officially anointed by the Holy Spirit in roughly 26 AD. And so PHASE TWO ends after about 470 years.

The final week begins with the coming of the Anointed One. However, midway (3.5 units of time) through the week, the Anointed One is 'cut off' (hb: karat). This is taken to be a reference to Jesus' death. The Hebrew word karat ('cut off') in Daniel 9:26 (ESV) is the same word used for making a covenant ('cutting' a covenant) in the Old Testament. And so as Daniel 9:27 seems to indicate, Jesus' death ('cutting off') is the means by which He makes a "strong covenant" (ESV) with the many. And it is through Jesus' death that the perfect Jubilee (or freedom) from sin is inaugurated. The final 3.5 units of time are described in Revelation 11 which, in my opinion, describes the destruction of the Temple. And so PHASE 3 ends in 70 AD and lasts about 44 years.

THE BOTTOM LINE
Whether or not you agree with my interpretation of Daniel 9, I hope you have gained insight into how to think through the interpretation of a prophetic passage. You must interpret the passage based on its genre. Prophetic literature (the genre of Daniel) does NOT require a literal interpretation (in fact, symbolism is frequent in this genre). Most of the time, prophecy sets out to bring a message of repentance or hope to people rather than a timeline for future events. And without exception, prophecy sets out to show that God is COMPLETELY in control of HIS-story. And this should be the main takeaway from the book of Daniel.