Daniel 9:5-6

Daniel stressed God’s transcendence and His loyal love (Heb. hesed) to Israel in his salutation (Daniel 9:4). He then proceeded to point out that, in contrast to Yahweh’s faithfulness to Israel, Israel had been unfaithful to Him. The prophet identified with his people. Personally he had been faithful to God. Yet since he was an Israelite he partook of the blessings and curses that God sent Israel for her obedience and disobedience (cf. Deuteronomy 28:48-57; Deuteronomy 28:64-68).

"What made Daniel one of God’s greatest saints was not his sinlessness but his sensitivity to the true depth of his sin." [Note: Whitcomb, p. 123.]

He listed several of Israel’s sins first: positive transgressions (Daniel 9:5) and then negative omissions (Daniel 9:6). Note the progression in the description of sin in Daniel 9:5. Evidently Daniel wanted to confess all the nation’s sins of every kind to their full extent. [Note: Stuart, p. 258.] Especially sinful was the fact that all classes within Israel had disregarded God’s words to them through His prophets (cf. 2 Chronicles 30:10). To disregard God’s Word is "the beginning of all moral disorders." [Note: Leupold, p. 384.]