Last time, I left you with how the name of this blog site came into being. The name “Consider the Word” comes from Daniel 9:23
Daniel 9:23 ESV
At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.
But what’s going on here? Wasn’t this Daniel the Prophet? Couldn’t he interpret dreams and read writings on the wall? Why would the angel Gabriel have to come and educate him on a vision for the deliverance of Israel from exile in Babylon?
Let’s go back to the beginning of the chapter. The first observation to make is that Daniel had thoroughly studied scripture prior to his prayer of intercession:
Daniel 9:2 ESV
in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.
Just as another observation, the word translated as “perceived” is the same word translated “consider” in v.23! It’s the Hebrew word “biyn”, and means “to separate mentally, or distinguish, that is, understand“. It’s like taking it apart and putting it back together in order to totally comprehend the thought.
Back to Daniel. Only after searching the scripture for meaning does Daniel “give his attention” to the Lord:
Daniel 9:3 NASBS
So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.
I’m guilty. How many of us just start praying about a situation before even searching scripture for wisdom? And this was Daniel, a prophet of God! And how do we “give our attention to the Lord God”? Am I just finding some time between things in my busy day, or am I setting aside time to meet my holy and omnipotent God? Ouch!
Let’s be more like Daniel. Seek wisdom in God’s word, then prepare to meet the Holy Spirit in prayer.
More on Daniel and “Consider the Word” next time.
Consider God's Word 