Please read Daniel Ch 3 prior to reading the post, and read post one, two, and three in this series first.

Summary:

In Daniel Chapter Three, several years have passed since the event of King Nebuchadnezzar’s troubling dream. And for reasons not told in the text, he decides to make an image (of himself?) which he requires all the people of his kingdom to worship, lest they be sent to the fiery furnace. In this chapter, instead of the religious leaders, King Nebuchadnezzar targets the political leaders: “the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces.” Some of the Chaldeans came forward to report that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego would not worship his image, enraging the king. King Nebuchadnezzar gives them an opportunity to worship his image, saying (if they don’t) “who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands.” They respond with our God is able to save, but if not, we will not worship your image, and they are thrown into the fire. King Nebuchadnezzar sees not just three men, but four in the fire, unharmed, with the fourth like “a son of the gods” and quickly brings them out, praising their God. He then promoted them in their service.

Political Economic Commentary:

In the years since the last chapter, King Nebuchadnezzar is much more secure in his rule. The troubling dream about the lack of permanence in his kingdom has faded, yet the fear of those that might want to challenge his authority is still there. Just as he sought power, he knows others will as well. Just as he could care less who he trampled on to get there, others would be willing to take his life to advance their own. Being on top of an earthly kingdom means you are never secure. When you do not trust in the Lord for your future, you will try to control your own future, by any means necessary. King Nebuchadnezzar decides to test his people’s loyalty to him by worshiping an image he created. Whether the statue was of himself is immaterial; it was still a requirement to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s image–he is making himself out to be God. This is still the pattern for leaders today. When you see politicians demanding fealty to themselves personally (as contrasted with demanding support of the mission/agenda, which everyone must support to move an organization forward), you are seeing someone pursue the kingdoms of men. When, for example, Donald Trump demanded that Republican candidates in 2022 support his narrative that the 2020 election was stolen, he was elevating his interest over that of the party.* When people resist those in power in the kingdoms of men, they will be destroyed, sometimes literally, sometimes politically. In both political parties in the U.S. we’ve seen an incredible amount of purging of people, although the Republicans have fit this picture more, as the purging has been those who don’t support Mr. Trump. The Democrats have purged those who do not toe the ever changing progressive line, and their movement is not embodied in a man the way the current Republican party is. Nevertheless, both parties are arrogant and ruthless in their purging–“who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” Toe the line or you will be primaried!

As we related in a previous post, this story is also about those machinations below the leader’s level. The Chaldeans wanted to get ahead by taking down their righteous adversaries. They saw advancement opportunities in the destruction of others. This is the way the kingdoms of men work. It is not enough to defeat our opponents ideas and policies, we must destroy them personally. The progressive prosecutors pursuit of lawfare against Mr. Trump (especially the two New York cases) fit this. Letitia James and Alvin Bragg’s lawsuits were intended to enhance their own career, as they campaigned not on a pursuit of justice, but of getting Donald Trump. Contrast this with how the Kingdom of God operates–the young men do not seek conflict; they are quietly obeying their true king.

When you read the young men’s retort to the king you can’t help but be fired up:

…our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

This is the Christian hero story that is better than Mel Gibson’s call for freedom in Braveheart! We all want to be those men would stand up for righteousness. Yet most won’t. They would echo the critic in the Braveheart movie who said “we will run and we will live.” Are you willing to stand against the political headwinds when leaders pursue unrighteousness if some in your tribe won’t like it? Will we stand for godly principles or will we stand behind mere men? The conflict between the Kingdom of God and the kingdoms of men is always behind the scene. Few will stand. Will you be one?

King Nebuchadnezzar’s wrath is dangerous not only to his enemies, but even those that serve, the hot fire intended to kill Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego only ended up killing the king’s servants who threw them in. That is still a lesson for us today–be careful who you hitch your wagon to, and how closely you hitch it! As we said yesterday, Christians should be part of organizations that have ungodly leadership in a redemptive role. But if you aren’t careful, you too could fall. Consider the reputations of those that served around Mr. Trump in his first term. Many of their lives were ruined. Yet some emerged with their integrity and testimony intact. I think our ability to witness well is enhanced when we go out “two by two.” Having faithful brothers (and sisters) in organizations with ungodly leaders is almost essential. It will be very difficult to stand alone. Yet we are never truly alone.

When God then delivers the young men, King Nebuchadnezzar is amazed. And he was not alone–all his counselors saw this miracle. How could they not all have fell down in worship? This just shows how hard hearted some can be. They won’t believe even if someone rises from the dead. Yet God is still working on Nebuchadnezzar. In His mercy, he is drawing him ever closer to the truth. His praise of their God is more effusive, yet he is still stuck in his polytheism. But then King Nebuchadnezzar promoted them! We don’t have the right to expect that God will always deliver us, and certainly not reward us, for our faithfulness in this life. Hebrews 11 tells us this. Yet we have certainty that in the end, we will be rewarded for a faithful witness.

Next up, chapter four!

* His hand-picked candidates performed abysmally and the “red wave” crashed on the rocks. In one perfectly illustrative example, AZ had four statewide races, with three Republicans completely embracing Mr. Trump’s view, and one normal Republican. The one normal Republican won, while all those repeating Mr. Trump’s claims were defeated (led by Kari Lake, who will lose a very winnable seat yet again in this November’s election). Whatever you think of his claims, the broader electorate has been very clear–they don’t buy it and don’t want to hear about it.