In Britain, although there are no obligatory codes of behavior when meeting the Queen or a member of the Royal Family, many people wish to observe the traditional forms. For men this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy. Other people prefer simply to shake hands in the usual way. (https://www.royal.uk/greeting-member-royal-family). Should you enter a gathering where many royals are present, you should bow or curtsy starting with the highest-ranking royal in the room. Queen Elizabeth is at the top of the royal family rankings and even Prince Philip, when he was alive was supposed to bow to Her Majesty. When you watch movies or read history books about royalty around the world, various postures were required depending on whom the king or queen was … as well as which level in the community you belonged to. For example, a peasant would prostrate themselves before a king. Thankfully we are not required to do such things in our country. However the Bible often speaks of people prostrating themselves before God, be it whilst in a vision or experiencing a Theophany. Consider Moses response to the holiness of God compared to the wickedness of the people
Dt 9:18 Then once again I fell prostrate before the LORD for forty days and forty nights; I ate no bread and drank no water, because of all the sin you had committed, doing what was evil in the LORD’S sight and so provoking him to anger.
In response to Elijah’s victory on Mount Carmel over the prophets of Baal we read:
1Ki 18:39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The LORD—he is God! The LORD—he is God!”
Mostly we find people in the Bible prostrating themselves before God once their sin has been exposed or when they are repenting … in Daniel’s case it was out of reverend fear knowing the holiness of God. He was a man who experienced God in many ways over the 70 years of exile. He had seen God deal with sin, rebellion and paganism.
1) Daniel’s posture in the presence of the Divine Messenger.
Da 10:15 While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless.
Even with the Angel of the Lord (Jesus) encouraging him with the assurance that he was special, loved and appreciated by God the Father, Daniel prostrates himself in reverence and was so astonished that he could not speak a word. Remember Daniel’s visitor is the Lord Himself. It is right and fitting that one displays the proper attitude when in God’s presence. He is the Lord, the Creator God, the God whose sustains creation and the God of the New Covenant in the Blood of Jesus. When you consider these three things …
(1) Creator. There was nothing and He spoke and everything that is, came into being.
(2) Sustainer. He puts all the powers and forces into place to sustain His creation for as long as He needs creation to be in place.
(3) He is Savior through the Blood sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. Jesus is God the Son and He becomes incarnate of the virgin, takes flesh to die as the Godman on the Cross as the full and final payment for sin … and then takes back His life, conquering death and opening the door of heaven for all who believe. In each of the three things God demonstrates above all His other attributes that He is Holy and requires holiness as a true display of life from mankind. Daniel’s reverence before God must be ours. Where we might not necessary fall to the ground (and there is nothing wrong with doing so), the attitude of the heart is vital. The heart bows to His Majesty … revealing our real attitude towards His Holiness.
2) Daniel’s response to the Divine Messenger.
Da 10:16 Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I am helpless.
Each time an advert for financial support for children of the Ukraine (due to the Russian invasion of that country) is aired, Jenny is overcome with anguish. The devastating horror of war as witnessed on TV and Newspaper pictures reveals the reality of orphans, families and a weak military under attack. The vision Daniel saw was far worse because it was futuristic as well as total devastation for the people of Israel. This rendered him “helpless” … unable to speak! This Divine Visitor touches his lips and he is able to speak … and does so. This same Divine Visitor, when in the flesh as the Godman on earth did something similar
Mk 7:33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. 34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means, “Be opened!”). 35 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.
Jesus still does this today! How many have been introverted, afraid of speaking to people … and Jesus saves them and gives them the ability to speak His gospel to many people.
3) Daniel’s reverence before the Divine Messenger.
Da 10:17 How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.”
Although Daniel’s speech returned and he spoke … he spoke saying he was without physical power to even breathe properly. We need to understand that there was nothing but reverence in God’s presence. Unlike the arrogant, demanding abusive behavior demonstrated in some Churches these days. It seems as though Daniel’s restoration is in degrees. First there was healing to speak … and then … there was the healing where physical strength was returned.
Da 10:18 Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength.
4) Daniel’s full healing and restoration by the Divine Messenger.
Da 10:19 “Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”
Note the encouragement.
(i) Do not be afraid. Because God sees Daniel as one highly esteemed, he need not be afraid. Neither ought you to be of your heavenly Father.
(ii) Peace. Daniel may know peace because He knows God personally. Knowing God through Jesus means you have peace with God.
(iii) Be strong. Two times Daniel is told to be strong. Strength, physical power is spoken into him. By the Spirit all believers have “spiritual” power to fight and win spiritual wars. His healing complete … He is ready to hear the message the Divine One has for him.
Lord, heal us, especially spiritually to hear You speak in the Bible. Amen.