Saturday, July 22, 2017

Day 17

Day 17: Daniel 3


Many of the remaining books of the Old Testament, categorized as the Prophets, tell the story of or speak to the exiles of the nation of Israel. They generally include a reminder or description of the sins of the people that led them to exile, hopeful reassurance that the Sovereign God is still in control, and prophecies looking forward to a coming Messiah. Many familiar verses can be found in these books (for example, Jeremiah 29:11 or Isaiah 40:31), but those words of encouragement are most powerful when understood in their original context.

The people of Israel likely felt abandoned by their God. Here they were, in exile, torn away from familiarity and home and the good things that they had been given, due to their repeated and conscious breaking of the covenant they had made with God. It probably also seemed like God wasn’t really in control - after all, enemy nations had been victorious over both Israel and Judah and led the people off into captivity. Surely Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar was more powerful than the Lord, after all. The exiles must have felt guilty, disappointed, and utterly hopeless.

And yet, God had decidedly not abandoned them, and he was still very much in control. He was punishing them, yes, but not forever. In Jeremiah 29:4-7, the prophet gives a surprising injunction to the exiles on how they should use their time: “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: ‘Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters. … Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because it if prospers, you too will prosper.’” Although this is not what they would have chosen, they were to use this time well and seek their good and the good of the city - ultimately to the glory of God.

Several men who did this well were Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who had been especially chosen by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar because of their wisdom, knowledge, and dedication. They learned the ways of Babylon and became respected wise men and scholars. However, they never forgot their true God. Today’s reading demonstrates their ultimate faith, choosing to be thrown into the fire rather than denounce the name of their God.

Many people who have grown up in church or Sunday school might be familiar with the story: the three friends refuse to bow down to the idol that the King has made, so they are thrown into the furnace, but they are saved by God and emerge without even the smell of smoke on their clothes. It is truly a miraculous and wonderful event that demonstrates the power of the Lord and his sovereignty over King Nebuchadnezzar and his golden statue.

But it is worth noting that verses 16-18 show that the three friends were not guaranteed this outcome when faced with the fiery furnace. They boldly assert to the King, “The God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O King, that we will not serve your gods.” They knew that their God was sovereign and powerful, even if he decided not to intervene on their behalf. Their faith was not based on miracles alone, nor did they only choose to follow God when times were easy. Rather, they trusted fully in the goodness and nature and utter sovereignty of the God of Israel, even in the midst of a hopeless situation.

Questions for reflection and discussion: When have you found yourself in a situation that seemed hopeless, whether through the actions of yourself or other people? Based on God’s words to the exiles, how do you think that God would want you to live in the midst of that situation? What do you think about the three friends’ assertion that even if God does not save them, that he is still able and good and in control?

Next Steps

Next Steps The past 40 days have taken you through 40 key passages in the Bible. You have experienced God’s overarching storyline of cre...