A “VERY DESIRABLE MAN” STRENGTHENED

14. What help did Daniel need in order to receive the angelic message?

¹⁴ The message that Jehovah’s angel had for Daniel was weighty and complex. Before Daniel could receive it, he needed help to recover from his physical and mental distress. Apparently aware of this, the angel lovingly gave Daniel personal assistance and encouragement. Let us follow Daniel’s own narration of what happened.

15. What did the angel do to help Daniel?

¹⁵ “While I was hearing the sound of his words, I myself also happened to be fast asleep upon my face, with my face to the earth.” Likely, fear and apprehension had caused Daniel to fall into a stupor. What did the angel do to help him? “Look!” said Daniel, “there was a hand that touched me, and it gradually stirred me up to get upon my knees and the palms of my hands.” In addition, the angel encouraged the prophet with these words: “O Daniel, you very desirable man, have understanding in the words that I am speaking to you, and stand up where you were standing, for now I have been sent to you.” The helping hand and the consoling words revived Daniel. Although he was “shivering,” Daniel did “stand up.”—Daniel 10:9-11.

16. (a) How can it be seen that Jehovah responds quickly to his servants’ prayers? (b) Why was the angel delayed in coming to Daniel’s aid? (Include box.) (c) What message did the angel have for Daniel?

¹⁶ The angel pointed out that he had come specifically to strengthen Daniel. “Do not be afraid, O Daniel,” said the angel, “for from the first day that you gave your heart to understanding and humbling yourself before your God your words have been heard, and I myself have come because of your words.” The angel then explained why there had been a delay. He said: “But the prince of the royal realm of Persia was standing in opposition to me for twenty-one days, and, look! Michael, one of the foremost princes, came to help me; and I, for my part, remained there beside the kings of Persia.” With the assistance of Michael, the angel was able to accomplish his mission, coming to Daniel with this most urgent message: “I have come to cause you to discern what will befall your people in the final part of the days, because it is a vision yet for the days to come.”—Daniel 10:12-14.

17, 18. How was Daniel helped a second time, and what did that enable him to do?

¹⁷ Instead of Daniel’s being aroused by the prospect of receiving such an intriguing message, it appears that the things he heard had an adverse effect on him. The account states: “Now when he spoke with me words like these, I had set my face to the earth and had become speechless.” But the angelic messenger was ready to render loving help—a second time. Said Daniel: “Look! one similar to the likeness of the sons of mankind was touching my lips, and I began to open my mouth and speak.”b—Daniel 10:15, 16a.

¹⁸ Daniel was strengthened when the angel touched his lips. (Compare Isaiah 6:7.) With his power of speech restored, Daniel was able to explain to the angelic messenger the hardship that he was enduring. Daniel said: “O my lord, because of the appearance my convulsions were turned within me, and I did not retain any power. So how was the servant of this my lord able to speak with this my lord? And as for me, up to now there kept standing in me no power, and no breath at all was left remaining in me.”—Daniel 10:16b, 17.

19. How was Daniel helped a third time, and with what result?

¹⁹ Daniel was not voicing any complaint or making an excuse. He was merely stating his predicament, and the angel accepted his statement. Thus, for a third time, Daniel was helped by the angelic messenger. “The one like the appearance of an earthling man proceeded to touch me again and strengthen me,” said the prophet. The messenger followed that energizing touch with these consoling words: “Do not be afraid, O very desirable man. May you have peace. Be strong, yes, be strong.” That loving touch and those upbuilding words seemed to be just what Daniel needed. The result? Daniel declared: “As soon as he spoke with me I exerted my strength and finally said: ‘Let my lord speak, because you have strengthened me.’” Daniel was now ready for another challenging assignment.—Daniel 10:18, 19.

20. Why had effort been required in order for the angelic messenger to carry out his assignment?

²⁰ Having strengthened Daniel and helped him to recover his mental and physical capabilities, the angel restated the purpose of his mission. He said: “Do you really know why I have come to you? And now I shall go back to fight with the prince of Persia. When I am going forth, look! also the prince of Greece is coming. However, I shall tell you the things noted down in the writing of truth, and there is no one holding strongly with me in these things but Michael, the prince of you people.”—Daniel 10:20, 21.

21, 22. (a) From Daniel’s experience, what can we learn about Jehovah’s way of dealing with his servants? (b) For what was Daniel now strengthened?

²¹ How loving and considerate of Jehovah! He always deals with his servants according to their potential and limitations. On the one hand, he gives them assignments according to what he knows they can accomplish, even though they may sometimes feel otherwise. On the other hand, he is willing to listen to them and then provide what is needed to help them carry out their assignments. May we always imitate our heavenly Father, Jehovah, by lovingly encouraging and strengthening our fellow worshipers.—Hebrews 10:24.

²² The angel’s comforting message was of great encouragement to Daniel. In spite of his advanced age, Daniel was now strengthened and prepared to receive and to record further remarkable prophecy for our benefit.