05 Faithful Exiles

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Intro:

What we worship will always cost us something. The question is, what is the payoff?

WE

This is really where a lot of tension comes into the body of Christ. What does it look like to live lives that reach out to others, yet live lives separate from the world? In other words, we want the boat in the water, but not the water in the boat. We can separate from the world to the point where we are living contrary to the call of sharing our faith, and we can also work so hard not to do this that we throw away all discretion and end up living lives that are no different than someone who doesn’t even claim to follow Christ.

Observations:

Encountering Idols in Babylon - 3:4-7 Babylon’s Appeal - the appeal of the world

A word about Babylon; Walking in ways contrary to Babylon would not have been as easy as we may think.

A word about Babylon;

the Story- todays thoughts touch on two things that run true through different parts of scripture and these things are important for us to understand as we read and study the word of God. One being Babylon, which we’ll talk more about in a minute. The second thing, God’s people exiled to foreign places. God’s people where slaves in Egypt, we see here at this point in the story, God’s people in the land of Babylon, far from home, having to remain faithful, we see this theme in the New Testament, Jesus brings his teaching of the New Kingdom and how Jesus followers would be like foreigners during their time on earth. New Testament writers pick up on this, that we are to live as if this world is not our home. We are to live as citizens of another place.

In OT times, the commercial, religious and political capital of Babylonia, which was the dominant power in the Near East in the sixth century b.c. In the NT, “Babylon” signifies the world and its forces in opposition to God. It is often contrasted with “the new Jerusalem”, in which God will finally reign supreme. -Dictionary of Bible Themes

In OT times, the commercial, religious and political capital of Babylonia, which was the dominant power in the Near East in the sixth century b.c. In the NT, “Babylon” signifies the world and its forces in opposition to God. It is often contrasted with “the new Jerusalem”, in which God will finally reign supreme.

1.

When you read through your Bible, you’ll notice this reoccurring reference to the “Babylon”- In fact you’ll see in you see the beginning of a Kingdom called “Babel” which is the start of what would become the Babylonian empire and the last mention of it in . Historically The great evil of the tower builders is their sinful pride against the rule of God. This theme will reappear in the prophetic writings against the city. The prophets describe Babylon as a city of pride and idolatry. In OT times, the commercial, religious and political capital of Babylonia, which was the dominant power in the Near East in the sixth century b.c. —> Babylon was beautiful, it’s “Hanging Gardens” were one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Because of the Babylonians doing to other civilizations what they did to God’s people, taking the brightest and best and leaving the poor to work the land, Babylon was culturally diverse. It was the wealthiest part of the world at that time, known for it’s high quality education. It was a pluralistic society, diverse, many gods would have been believed in. It would have been absurd to believe that there was only one true God. In the NT, “Babylon” signifies the world and its forces in opposition to God. It is often contrasted with “the new Jerusalem”, in which God will finally reign supreme.

Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser.

During the reign of Hezekiah, envoys from Babylon came to Jerusalem (). The prophet Isaiah chastised the king for showing off the treasures of Judah and predicted that Babylon would some day carry these riches off. This was a startling revelation, for Assyria was the great power of the day and seemingly unassailable. The visit was probably an attempt by Babylon to foment problems for Assyria in the west, thereby diverting attention from Babylon. The postexilic reader would have seen the roots of the destruction of Jerusalem in the foolish pride of Hezekiah and in the greed of Babylon.

The prophets describe Babylon as a city of pride and idolatry. Yet the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon presents the prophets with a dilemma. If God is sovereign and makes use of Babylon to punish Judah, can Babylon—as a tool in the hand of its Master—be blamed for its behavior? Isaiah addresses this problem by portraying Babylon as a woman, the queen of kingdoms (47:5), who should be tender and delicate but is not. God gave his people over into her power, but rather than caring for them she has shown them no mercy. This is a result of her overweening pride, evidenced in her statement that “I am, and there is none besides me” (v. 8). Although the conquest of Jerusalem is in keeping with the will of God, the brutality and greed of the conquerors—the fruit of Babylon’s idolatry and failure to recognize the kingship of God—are not. Because of Babylon’s pride, she will be destroyed. personifies Babylon as a woman who is doomed to destruction and whose infant children will be savagely killed.

Jeremiah sees the future destruction of Babylon as a punishment because the Babylonians rejoiced at the destruction of Judah and ruthlessly plundered the people of God (50:11). Babylon herself will become a “heap of ruins” (51:37). Daniel reinforces the picture of Babylon as full of pride and defiance toward God. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, is punished with madness because he denied God’s control over “Babylon the Great” (4:30).

Centuries after the destruction of the Neo-Babylonian state by Cyrus of Persia, Babylon reappears in a dramatic role in the Book of Revelation—a role marked by numerous references to Old Testament imagery. Pride, idolatry, cruelty, and greed are associated with the city.

The dominant image of Babylon in Revelation is the city’s personification of a rich woman, the “mother of prostitutes” (17:5). Babylon is a great city that rules over the earth.

Babylon, the historic oppressor of God’s people, represents the new oppressor of Christ’s church.”

Davis, T. W. (1996). Babylon. In Evangelical dictionary of biblical theology (electronic ed., p. 47). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology

Observation;

Observation; We have to recognize the appeal of Babylon, and the incentive to by into its ways. There is an easiness to going with the flow, and there is a price to be paid for going against it.

God’s people faced challenges as they sought to serve God in a secular society.

The Consequences of not Worshiping - 3:13-19

The Consequences of choosing devotion over compromise 3:13-

not Worshiping - 3:13-19Babylon’s Challenge to God’s People - idolatry

When God is appealing, Babylon pays attention;

Nebuchadnezzar’s countenance changes toward them 13&19;

There is a mixture of excitement about the one true God, but a failure to worship him exclusively. Nebuchadnezzar’s confession of God (2:46-47) did not prevent him being a worshipper of idols, besides. No other nation but the Jews would feel this edict oppressive; for it did not prevent them worshipping their own gods besides. It was evidently aimed at the Jews by those jealous of their high position in the king’s court,

Nebuchadnezzar’s countenance changes toward them 13&19;

No other nation but the Jews would feel this edict oppressive; for it did not prevent them worshipping their own gods besides. It was evidently aimed at the Jews by those jealous of their high position in the king’s court,

Nebuchadnezzar’s confession of God (2:46-47) did not prevent him being a worshipper of idols, besides.

Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 626). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

19–23. The predictable fury of the king at this challenge to his authority provokes him into issuing urgent orders. The king, impatiently giving orders, watched as his henchmen became the victims of the newly-stoked fire, while carrying out their duty.

There is nothing the three can say in their own defence. They are technically guilty, but they have also been misrepresented. All they can do is to cast themselves on their God whom the king has defied. They do not doubt the power of their God to deliver them from the king’s furnace, but they have no right to presume that he will do so. If he does not, they are ready to take the consequences rather than compromise on such a contrived issue.

The king, impatiently giving orders, watched as his henchmen became the victims of the newly-stoked fire, while carrying out their duty.

19–23. The predictable fury of the king at this challenge to his authority provokes him into issuing urgent orders.

Observation; When God’s ways benefit Babylon, there is praise (i.e. hard work and integrity will get you far) but when God’s ways oppose the way’s of Babylon there is anger and rage.

There is nothing the three can say in their own defence. They are technically guilty, but they have also been misrepresented. All they can do is to cast themselves on their God whom the king has defied. They do not doubt the power of their God to deliver them from the king’s furnace, but they have no right to presume that he will do so. If he does not, they are ready to take the consequences rather than compromise on such a contrived issue.

Baldwin, J. G. (1978). Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 23, p. 117). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Nebuchadnezzar’s countenance changes toward them 13&19;

Baldwin, J. G. (1978). Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 23, p. 117). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

19–23. The predictable fury of the king at this challenge to his authority provokes him into issuing urgent orders. The king, impatiently giving orders, watched as his henchmen became the victims of the newly-stoked fire, while carrying out their duty.

Baldwin, J. G. (1978). Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 23, p. 117). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

God’s people choose God over comfort - yet in a respectful way; 17-18;

Baldwin, J. G. (1978). Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 23, p. 116). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

God’s people choose God over comfort - yet in a respectful way; 17-18;

“There is nothing the three can say in their own defence. They are technically guilty, but they have also been misrepresented. All they can do is to cast themselves on their God whom the king has defied. They do not doubt the power of their God to deliver them from the king’s furnace, but they have no right to presume that he will do so. If he does not, they are ready to take the consequences rather than compromise on such a contrived issue.”

why these three? None of the Jews seem to have been present, except the officers, summoned specially. Why Daniel was not summoned does not appear. Probably he was in some distant part of the empire on state business, and the general summons () had not time to reach him before the dedication. Also, the Jews’ enemies found it more politic to begin by attacking Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who were nearer at hand, and had less influence, before they proceeded to attack Daniel.

“There is nothing the three can say in their own defence. They are technically guilty, but they have also been misrepresented. All they can do is to cast themselves on their God whom the king has defied. They do not doubt the power of their God to deliver them from the king’s furnace, but they have no right to presume that he will do so. If he does not, they are ready to take the consequences rather than compromise on such a contrived issue.”

Baldwin, J. G. (1978). Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 23, p. 116). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Observation; When God’s ways benefit Babylon, there is praise (i.e. hard work and integrity will get you far) but when God’s ways oppose the way’s of Babylon there is anger and rage.

God’s Protection - 24-30 The Response of God and His People in Babylon —> (See tim Keller June 2)

God’s people choose God over comfort - yet in a respectful way; 17-18;

There is a mixture of excitement about the one true God, but a failure to worship him exclusively.

why these three? None of the Jews seem to have been present, except the officers, summoned specially. Why Daniel was not summoned does not appear. Probably he was in some distant part of the empire on state business, and the general summons () had not time to reach him before the dedication. Also, the Jews’ enemies found it more politic to begin by attacking Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who were nearer at hand, and had less influence, before they proceeded to attack Daniel.

“There is nothing the three can say in their own defence. They are technically guilty, but they have also been misrepresented. All they can do is to cast themselves on their God whom the king has defied. They do not doubt the power of their God to deliver them from the king’s furnace, but they have no right to presume that he will do so. If he does not, they are ready to take the consequences rather than compromise on such a contrived issue.”

Why Daniel was not summoned does not appear. Probably he was in some distant part of the empire on state business, and the general summons () had not time to reach him before the dedication. Also, the Jews’ enemies found it more politic to begin by attacking Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who were nearer at hand, and had less influence, before they proceeded to attack Daniel.

When God is appealing, Babylon pays attention;

19–23. The predictable fury of the king at this challenge to his authority provokes him into issuing urgent orders. The king, impatiently giving orders, watched as his henchmen became the victims of the newly-stoked fire, while carrying out their duty.

Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 627). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 627). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.“There is nothing the three can say in their own defence. They are technically guilty, but they have also been misrepresented. All they can do is to cast themselves on their God whom the king has defied. They do not doubt the power of their God to deliver them from the king’s furnace, but they have no right to presume that he will do so. If he does not, they are ready to take the consequences rather than compromise on such a contrived issue.”

“There is nothing the three can say in their own defence. They are technically guilty, but they have also been misrepresented. All they can do is to cast themselves on their God whom the king has defied. They do not doubt the power of their God to deliver them from the king’s furnace, but they have no right to presume that he will do so. If he does not, they are ready to take the consequences rather than compromise on such a contrived issue.”

Baldwin, J. G. (1978). Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 23, p. 116). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

God is near the faithful & proves himself to the faithless

Baldwin, J. G. (1978). Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 23, p. 117). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

God is near the faithful & proves himself to the faithless

24–26. Instead of three men bound, Nebuchadrezzar sees four men loose. The fourth is like a son of the gods or ‘godlike’, despite his apparent humanity, and it dawns on the king that there is a God who can deliver out of his hand. The three men are free to make their way to him out of the furnace at his command.

God’s servants respond with meekness 17-18;

“There is nothing the three can say in their own defence. They are technically guilty, but they have also been misrepresented. All they can do is to cast themselves on their God whom the king has defied. They do not doubt the power of their God to deliver them from the king’s furnace, but they have no right to presume that he will do so. If he does not, they are ready to take the consequences rather than compromise on such a contrived issue.”

Baldwin, J. G. (1978). Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 23, p. 118). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Baldwin, J. G. (1978). Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 23, p. 116). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

27–30. Impressed by the absence of any sign of burning, the king is forced to acknowledge that their God has delivered them and brought Nebuchadrezzar’s decree to nothing. Though he can make decrees that are binding on the world, his power is far from absolute.

Baldwin, J. G. (1978). Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 23, p. 118). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

APP: God’s people should seek faithfulness rather than isolation Holiness is a life to be lived among our neighbors, not separate from them. It’s interesting when you look at Mennonites as an example, the earliest anabaptist believers where the evangelistic outspoken people when it came to their faith, that’s why they where persecuted so much. Now, they tend to be the most inward focusing people you’ll ever meet. There is an idea of, we have to look strange and act strange to prove that we are different, when in reality, our difference should be evident in that we are the most loving and compassion and graceful people that our lives can’t go unnoticed. We should walk free from the restraints of idolatry, slander, immorality, greed, we should be strangely free from the burdens of this world. That would compel people.

God’s people should seek holiness rather than isolation

When persecuted, we respond (NIV) 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

(NIV)

Holiness is a life to be lived among our neighbors, not separate from them.

17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Daniel will later on show this to be true again when he chooses to openly pray knowing it could cost him his life. Why?? Isaiah

Ending:

“Elect exiles” 1 Peter 1:1

Israel's Only Savior

43

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

he who created you, O Jacob,

he who formed you, O Israel:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine.

2

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.

3

For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Cush and Seba in exchange for you.

Other Thoughts

2nd outline

Passage read and summarized before points

Babylon’s Appeal

Observation; We have to recognize the appeal of Babylon, and the incentive to by into its ways. There is an easiness to going with the flow, and there is a price to be paid for going against it.

2.

3.

Worship

Warren Wiersbe - Nebuchadnezzar was wise to use instrumental music because it could stir the people’s emotions and make it easy for him to manipulate them and win their submission and obedience. Throughout history, music and song have played an important role in strengthening nationalism, motivating conquest, and inspiring people to act. Music has the power so to grip human thoughts and emotions that people are transformed from being free agents into becoming mere puppets. The English poet William Congreave wrote that “music has charms to soothe a savage breast,” but music also has power to release the savage in the breast. Music can be used as a wonderful tool and treasure from the Lord or as a destructive weapon from Satan.

-One of many dangers of idols is that in worshiping and serving them, we become like them, the psalmist declaring…

Those who make them will become like them, everyone who trusts in them. O Israel, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. (, )

Notice in this Psalm the "antidote" for not becoming like the godless idols is to trust in Jehovah.

In another psalm the writer plainly states the danger of idols…

And served their idols, which became a snare to them. They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons, and shed innocent blood, The blood of their sons and their daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; and the land was polluted with the blood. Thus they became unclean in their practices, and played the harlot in their deeds. (, , , )

— The subtle attraction to images is dramatically illustrated in the familiar event in when the children of God sinned causing God to send fiery serpents among them

So the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD and you; intercede with the LORD, that He may remove the serpents from us." And Moses interceded for the people. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he shall live. And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived. (, , ).

Jesus referred to this OT shadow (See Study of Biblical types) as pointing to His being lifted up on the Cross…

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up that whoever believes may in Him have eternal life. (, )

In Numbers those who were bitten had to exercise faith and look (faith is an action verb) at the symbol in order to preserve their physical life. Jesus says that just as the Israelites did not die physically because of the exercise of their faith (that event did not convey spiritual rebirth), in a similar way, as men "bitten" by the sting suffered spiritual death, they could be "healed" by "looking" (cp :22KJV) to Jesus, by believing in Him for eternal life. (Read C H Spurgeon's miraculous testimony of the new birth when he "looked" to Jesus!)

-Remember that anything or anyone that comes between you and God is an idol. Anything or anyone you are more devoted to than God is an idol. We need to continually do a heart check (-note) because to the corrupting, destructive effects of idolatry. I think the 3 Hebrew lads had done their heart check in this chapter. What idols are you worshiping dear believer? Cast them out. Repent. Seek His face and His forgiveness and He will welcome you with intimate communion.-

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-- - Read and study (see notes) which explains the inevitable, inexorable spiritual devolution that ensues when one rejects the truth about God, truth He has made evident to every person. Man is made to worship and if he rejects God, he will inevitably worship false gods but not without significant spiritual/moral consequences - see esp -note, --note

-They knew that idol worship was one of the main reasons Judah was in captivity in Babylon ().

- They feared God and trusted Him, and did not fear Nebuchadnezzar's raging (cp ). Fear of God is the best "antidote" for neutralizing fear of man and the worst that man can do to us (cp Jesus' command in ) In short, when you go through the fire, cling fast to the truth you know about God, fixing your eyes on Jesus (-note) - His promises (cp ), His past deliverances, His commandments that include His enablements, etc. When the fiery test comes, remember especially that God promises not to test us beyond what we are able to endure (-note). God had prepared the Hebrew lad's hearts for "such a time as this" (cp )!

- John Calvin - Nothing is more powerful to overcome temptation than the fear of God. (Ed: Read description of Job in - Why did he turn away from evil?)

In short, when you go through the fire, cling fast to the truth you know about God, fixing your eyes on Jesus (-note) - His promises (cp ), His past deliverances, His commandments that include His enablements, etc. When the fiery test comes, remember especially that God promises not to test us beyond what we are able to endure (-note). God had prepared the Hebrew lad's hearts for "such a time as this" (cp )!

05 Faithful Exiles

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