Daniel 10-12 come to us as a unit. It is an extended vision the LORD gave to Daniel, but it starts with an amazing revelation: Daniel had prayed and fasted for understanding and for deliverance of his people. He prayed day after day, and eventually he received an answer. The answer was delayed for twenty-one days. We’re told the reason for the delay was that the “Prince of Persia” had battled the speaker, and eventually the LORD sent the angel, Michael, to help him overcome the prince. The Prince of Persia is a demonic force. We see here a clear example of spiritual warfare, and also how prayer plays a part in it. The vision covers a vast amount of time, from Daniel’s immediate future to the time of Jesus’ return. We’re not told that specifically, but as we read through the vision, we read of the Persians, the Greeks and the Romans. The detail is so clear and accurate that many scholars, biblical and otherwise, who don’t believe the LORD revealed the future to the prophets, believe Daniel was written after the events occurred. But there is also a prediction of the time of the end–the time when our time will end, and eternity will come to us. Daniel was told to close up or save the message until that time came. He was also promised that when the end came he would be rewarded with eternal life. What a promise!
As we return to Mark 7, we find Jesus in another debate with the religious leaders. The disciples initiated by eating food without washing their hands according to the ceremonial tradition developed by the religious leaders. When they complained to Jesus about it, He quoted the prophet Isaiah’s condemnation of previous Israelites for honoring God with their lips, but not with their hearts. Jesus made a general comment to the crowds about food and righteousness: No food makes one unclean. It isn’t what goes into a person, but what comes out that makes the person clean or unclean. He meant it is what is in our hearts that determines what comes out of us. After this encounter, a Syrophonician woman approached Jesus about healing her child. Jesus said, “No.” His explanation was He wasn’t going to throw the “children’s” (the people of Israel) food, to the “dogs” (Gentiles) The woman answered, “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the table.” Jesus healed the child for the woman’s answer. Finally, Jesus healed a man who was deaf and mute. Mark always manages to complete a chapter that was primarily teaching or interaction with the religious leaders with a couple of miracles to remind us of how Jesus came to bring the Kingdom of God to earth not only in words, but in power!