Ancient of Days

In Daniel chapter 7, God appears in a vision to Daniel.

Daniel 7:9 As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire.

Chapter 7 of Daniel is some of the most dense and complicated language in the Bible. As an english speaker, I definitely struggle with understanding the translation that is presented to Bible readers here. Reading from verse 9-12 of the text, something beautiful, albeit destructive, happens here. God reigns on his thrown and people of the world come to him to hear judgement after the defeat of the 4 beast that are presented in the prior verses. This text describes judgement day in the most eloquent and personable vision you could read in Daniel.

I think the words that strike me the most when I read it is "Ancient of Days." This is because the translation of the ancient of days doesn't do it justice. This phrase is another title of God, however it also gives the reader a hint at his authority and magnificence.

God's existence is such that He existed even prior to the start of days. He is long before creation, He is with us through history, and He is long after creation. He just is. Not only does this make him very old, but wise and all encompassing and knowing of time. He is ancient even to the beginning of days.

Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

Micah 5:2 is another vision and word of the LORD given to his prophet, Micah. It tells of the ruler of Israel who will come forth from Bethlehem "for me," and who is from ancient days. This verse speaks of Jesus of Nazareth who was born in Bethlehem and becomes the ruler of Israel by death on a cross. It shows how Jesus was both man, because he was born into the sinful world, but also God because he is from ancient days in the same way that God the father is from ancient days. This is not where we can get nit picky and say that God the Father and the son are not 1 and the same. They are. We lack the ability to comprehend how God can be triune. Our inability to understand God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, may just be a blessing. If we could fully know our God, would He be God? If God is completely knowable than we as human have access to the powers of creation as well. Thank you God that we don't, since our sinful nature would destroy and not build up and bless in the way that He does. I thank God that he stands before time, within time, and after time and oversees it all, to the Glory of himself. Because he's HOLY, RIGHTEOUS, and GOOD, I know that His ways and His will is better than anything I can dream up on my own. In the same way that younger generations reach out to the older people for advise and wisdom, why not reach out to our Ancient God for his guidance over your life?

A prayer:

Heavenly Father,

I thank you for your wisdom. I thank you for your understanding of time. I thank you that you reveal your redemptive plan through your word. I thank you that you are always able to help me comprehend the heaviness of your word and the gravity of the history you have created with your people. The bible is filled with stories of a past God that laments for his people, and a future God that fights for his people. I thank you that you were, are, and always will be. Thank you for time and for the time that you give to me. I will choose to utilize it for your glory. You are worthy of it. In Jesus Name I Pray. Amen.