পাতা:দানিএল মুনির চরিত্র.djvu/২৬৩

258 O Lord, hearken and do ; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.” t f While Daniel was praying, with so much feeling and earnestness, for the scattered and oppressed Israelites, and for the rebuilding of the temple at Jerusalem, God commanded the angel Gabriel to go and ‘inform him that his request would be granted. The angel flew swiftly from the highest heaven, where he had been standing before the throne of God, and came to Daniel about three in the afternoon. This, in the temple worship at Jerusalem, was the time of offering the evening sacrifice. He touched Daniel, and said to him (ix.22,23) “o Daniel, I am now come to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy suppliéations the commandment went forth, and I am come to show thee (future events); for thou art greatly beloved ; therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision, (or prophetic representation.)” He then went on to say, that the Jews should shortlyreturn to their own land, and rebuild their temple and city; from which time