Resources For Daniel 3 From Each Harderwyk Preacher
Pastor Bill Lindner - Celebration Preacher
From Daniel: The Gospel Transformation Bible Notes
Sadly, Nebuchadnezzar does not yet acknowledge this God as
his own; he only honors “the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” (vv.
28–29). The words remind us of the importance of trusting Christ personally,
not just acknowledging him as a religious icon or concept that others accept. - p. 1128
From Daniel: Reformed Expository Commentary
The question of whether this fourth person is a
Christophany (a physical appearance of Christ before his incarnation) or merely
an angel cannot be resolved from the text, which would fit either instance
equally well. In either case, however, it is a physical demonstration of God’s
presence with believers in their distress. God did not simply rescue his
servants from the fire, he sent his personal emissary to pass through the fire
with them, a presence that takes richer dimensions in the New Testament, when
God comes to dwell physically with us as Immanuel. - p. 56
Now why would God be with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,
but not with his own Son? Why would he be faithful to his promise to be with
Israel, sinners as they were, and then abandon Jesus, his perfect chosen one?
You would expect it to be the other way around.
The answer to that question is that on the cross Jesus was
taking into himself the fiery pains that we deserve for our compromise and
idolatry. Unlike Daniel’s three friends, I am no hero of the faith. Every time
I bow down to the idols of my heart, I merit for myself God’s judgment curse. I
choose to escape the fiery threat of my idol, but only at the cost of earning
the fiery judgment of God for my unfaithfulness. Nebuchadnezzar is not the only
one who condemns to the fire those who will not bow the knee to him: our God
rightfully demands the wholehearted homage of those whom he has created. Yet in
the case of his people, God took all of our fiery judgment curse and laid it on
his own Son. He personally paid the price of my hell during those six hours on
the cross so that I might pass through the threatening fire unburned and emerge
safely out on the other side. What is more, his perfect faithfulness is now
credited to my account as if it were my own. - p. 58
The result of Jesus’ faithful sacrifice is that in his own
flesh he now provides the ultimate answer to Babel’s tower and Nebuchadnezzar’s
idol. What they sought to achieve in vain—making a lasting name for themselves
and binding together the peoples, nations, and men of every language in one
united worshiping society—is now accomplished by God through Christ. In the
church, God brings glory to his name by saving a hopeless and helpless band of
ragtag sinners. In the church, men and women from every tribe and nation and
language group come together across social, racial, and ethnic lines as the one
new people of God. Together, we stand before the throne of the Lamb, a united
multitude from all nations, gathered to sing praises to the God of heaven and
earth. No one has to tell us to bow before Christ. It is our joy and delight to
throw ourselves down at his pierced feet. The cross is the towering symbol that
binds God’s empire together as one. - p. 59
Pastor Kyle Rodriguez - Fusion Preacher
It is the understanding of God's character as one who
saves that allowed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to have such confidence that
he would deliver them. I can imagine them holding tightly to the promise of
Isaiah 43:1-3.
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I thought the following quote from John Calvin was particularly poignant, as he hits the nail on the head about how Nebuchadnezzar uses religion here (both an idol at the beginning and the God of Israel at the end) as a tool for his own power. Religion, here is not the idol, but it does become a tool to perpetuate the idol of power and control. . . . . Nebuchadnezzar seems to have followed the common practice of kings. For although they proudly despise God, yet they arm themselves with religion to strengthen their power, and pretend to encourage worship of God for the single purpose of retaining the people in obedience.”
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