More on Nebuchadnezzar’s attempt to impose official worship by force.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
Daniel 3:8-18
The fiery furnace
3:19-25
Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges God
Daniel 3:26-30
His proclamation
Daniel 4:1-3
The watchman
Ezekiel 33:1-9
Individual responsibility
Ezekiel 33:10-20
Message to faithless shepherds
Ezekiel 34:1-10
The Good Shepherd
Ezekiel 34:11-16
The flock judged
Ezekiel 34:17-19
Isrtaelites have never been very good at worshipping what they’re told to, even when it’s God doing the telling, and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are no exception. They’re shopped by possibly jealous fellow courtiers and hauled before the King who is furious and orders their execution.
But God protects them from Nebuchadnezzar’s chosen method of death (roasting), sending an angel to walk with them in the flames, to which they and their clothes seem completely immune. Nebuchadnezzar is impressed - so much so that he decides to include God in his pantheon of acceptable objects of worship. He is quick to give honour to God, and we have already had hints of his openness to God, all of which bodes well for the exiles. How extraordinary it is to contemplate a foreign emperor coming under God’s influence! The Israelites really are breaking out of their tribal understanding of God.
Meanwhile, Ezekiel, commissioned by God to act as a watchman, speaks out against Israel’s leaders. They have been disastrous shepherds, and the flock is scattered and decimated as a result. Israel’s best leaders are Daniel and his friends in exile, working for the good of the Babylonian empire. What irony! But God promises to act as a Good Shepherd, he will seek out his scattered sheep and bring them to safety.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
Daniel 3:8-18
The fiery furnace
3:19-25
Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges God
Daniel 3:26-30
His proclamation
Daniel 4:1-3
The watchman
Ezekiel 33:1-9
Individual responsibility
Ezekiel 33:10-20
Message to faithless shepherds
Ezekiel 34:1-10
The Good Shepherd
Ezekiel 34:11-16
The flock judged
Ezekiel 34:17-19
Isrtaelites have never been very good at worshipping what they’re told to, even when it’s God doing the telling, and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are no exception. They’re shopped by possibly jealous fellow courtiers and hauled before the King who is furious and orders their execution.
But God protects them from Nebuchadnezzar’s chosen method of death (roasting), sending an angel to walk with them in the flames, to which they and their clothes seem completely immune. Nebuchadnezzar is impressed - so much so that he decides to include God in his pantheon of acceptable objects of worship. He is quick to give honour to God, and we have already had hints of his openness to God, all of which bodes well for the exiles. How extraordinary it is to contemplate a foreign emperor coming under God’s influence! The Israelites really are breaking out of their tribal understanding of God.
Meanwhile, Ezekiel, commissioned by God to act as a watchman, speaks out against Israel’s leaders. They have been disastrous shepherds, and the flock is scattered and decimated as a result. Israel’s best leaders are Daniel and his friends in exile, working for the good of the Babylonian empire. What irony! But God promises to act as a Good Shepherd, he will seek out his scattered sheep and bring them to safety.
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