Purpose of Exile: Daniel 9:11-15

God wants us to find redemption so we once more become a part of His plan.  God does not desire for His anger to burn against us.  He desires for us to accept our guilt, offer up our repentance, and receive His forgiveness.  He wants us to be in relationship with Him. He has made all things possible; we simply need to acknowledge our wrongdoing and allow Him to change us as He works in the world.

As Daniel continues his prayer, he continues to accept the guilt.  He acknowledges that not only have God’s people – himself included – sinned, but the curse God gave is deserved.  This is part of what makes Daniel great.  Whereas I likely would have been irritated about enduring exile rather than living a life of comfort, Daniel owns the problem and owns the guilt that brought the curse upon the Hebrew people.

At this point, Daniel makes it clear why he has no difficulty taking ownership.  We touched on this in yesterday’s post, but it truly comes clear in today’s verses.  God is just because He lives up to His promises.  The punishment of the exile is not an unknown punishment with which God used to blindside the Hebrew people. Back when God gave the Law to Moses, God declared the punishment up front.  Back when the people made a covenant with God, God declared the punishment up front.

God is righteous because His word can be trusted.  Even in this case, which is a negative example due to the nature of it being punishment, God demonstrates His trustworthiness.  God declared what would happen and then fulfilled the promise.

As Daniel moves to the end of this section, Daniel reminds God – and thus reminds himself – that God brought His people out of slavery in Egypt.  God can bring His people out of exile in Babylon, too.  Why would God send His people into exile if not to teach them a lesson and ultimately bring them out of it?

Daniel understands that God is not only a righteous God but also a God of redemption.  God does not desire to punish us; He would much rather have us reach our potential by obeying His ways.  After all, He is our creator.  He knows what is best for us.

God did not send His people away into exile so He could be done with them.  God sent His people away into exile so they could learn humbleness and repent.  God sent His people into exile so they could return to Him with a renewed purpose.  Ultimately, God sent His people into exile so upon returning to Him they would once more be prepared to be a part of His plan to bring redemption to the world.

Because God is a God of redemption, there is no difficulty in accepting guilt.  God forgives.  He wants to forgive.  God wants us to find redemption so we once more become a part of His plan.