The Most High God Rules

Daniel 5[i]

Nebuchadnezzar was Babylon’s greatest king.  At his death, his son, Awel-Marduk, became king in his stead.  After only a couple years, the husband of one of Nebuchadnezzar’s daughters, Neriglissar, murdered Awel-Marduk.  After 4 years, Neriglissar was succeeded by his young son, who, after only a few months as king, was murdered by Nabonidus, who happened to be the husband of yet another of Nebuchadnezzar’s daughters.

Nabonidus was the last ruler of the Babylonian empire.  He spent much of his time away from Babylon on foreign expeditions, and left his son and co-regent, Belshazzar, in charge of the kingdom in his absence. It is interesting to note at this point that for many years critics of the Bible pointed out that the only place Belshazzar appeared in history was in the Bible.  However, in 1854 and 1881, archeological finds of the historical records kept by Nabonidus have established the identity of Belshazzar,[ii] and the authenticity of Daniel’s account.

When Daniel chapter 4 ends, Nebuchadnezzar is king over Babylon.  Daniel chapter 5 is an account of the last night of the Babylonian Empire.  Nebuchadnezzar died in 562 BC, and Babylon fell in 539 BC.  Therefore, Daniel chapter 5 begins roughly 23 years after Daniel chapter 4 ends.

The book of Daniel starts in 605 BC when Daniel was a young man.  When chapter 5 takes place, it is 539 BC, 66 years later.  If Daniel was 14 years old when the story started, he is 80 years old when he stands before King Belshazzar.  Daniel saw the comings and goings of the Babylonian Empire and the changes in dynasties from a unique vantage point.  He was advisor and prime minister under the great king, Nebuchadnezzar, and continued to serve in the administration of the Empire when the Medes and Persians took over.  From his vantage point, he drew the following conclusion:

The Most High God rules over the kingdoms of the world and appoints anyone he desires to rule over them.  (Daniel 5:21)

This is the point of Daniel chapter 5.  God rules over the affairs of humanity.

This is precisely where many people object to Christianity.  If God is good, why is there evil?  However, God has given us free will.  We bring the evil on ourselves.  This is what happens with Belshazzar in Daniel 5.

Daniel chapter 5 starts out with a proud king, Belshazzar. 

He is having a party, and calls for the gold and silver cups that Nebuchadnezzar had brought from the temple in Jerusalem.  This was an act of defiance.  The aged and wise Daniel said to Belshazzar:

When his [Nebuchadnezzar’s] heart and mind were puffed up with arrogance, he was brought down from his royal throne and stripped of his glory.  ²¹He was driven from human society.  He was given the mind of a wild animal, and he lived among the wild donkeys.  He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he learned that the Most High God rules over the kingdoms of the world and appoints anyone he desires to rule over them.

²²“You are his successor, O Belshazzar, and you knew all this, yet you have not humbled yourself.  ²³For you have proudly defied the Lord of heaven and have had these cups from his Temple brought before you.  (Daniel 5:20-23)

According to Daniel, Belshazzar proudly defied the Lord of Heaven by having these cups brought out, and he knew better.  He knew what his grandfather, Nebuchadnezzar went through.

The party’s whole focus was having a good time.  The text says the king drank wine with 1,000 of his nobles.  The cups were brought out to drink wine.  With the focus on wine, the purpose of the feast is clearly pleasure.

History is unclear whether the city was under siege or if Belshazzar had no idea that a great army was gathering outside his city.  However, it shows the human tendency to grow overconfident, proud and arrogant.  Belshazzar and his nobles felt secure inside the walls of their city, and were boastfully confident in their own wisdom and strength.

The text says that as the nobles, Belshazzar’s wives and concubines drank, they praised their idols made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone.  (Daniel 5:4)  Their confidence was in gods that did not and do not exist.  These idols were empty, vain statues that showed the foolishness of those who made them.  However, their pride and confidence rested on the mighty empire they ruled, the magnificent city they lived in and the symbols of success they enjoyed such as the spoils of war, abundant wine to drink and the ability to host magnificent feasts.  They thought they achieved all of this by their own cunning, strength and power.  Therefore, they proudly defied the God of heaven.

Modern man is no different. 

I am not a financial wizard.  However, the financial crisis of 2008 is an example of how we can become proud and arrogant, worshipping gods of our own making. 

James speaks of our over confidence when he says:

¹³Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year.  We will do business there and make a profit.”  ¹⁴How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?  Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.  ¹⁵What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”  ¹⁶Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil.

The planning is not evil.  The boasting is evil.  It is human to think of ourselves in god-like terms, as if we can make things happen.  To live life without acknowledging the God who gives us life, is evil.  To drink the wine He provides while boasting in our own greatness without gratitude to Him, is evil.

There is accountability when we live in a world ruled by the Most High God.  If we are the highest power in our universe, there is no accountability.  We can do as we please and do not have to answer to anyone.  Humans are quick to forget what the Lord says in Psalms 94:8-11:

⁸Think again, you fools!  When will you finally catch on?  ⁹Is he deaf—the one who made your ears?  Is he blind—the one who formed your eyes?  ¹⁰He punishes the nations—won’t he also punish you?  He knows everything—doesn’t he also know what you are doing?  ¹¹The LORD knows people’s thoughts; he knows they are worthless!  (Psalm 94:8-11)

He knows our thoughts.  In Psalm 139:4, it says that he knows what we are going to say before we say it.  However, we live and carry on as if He does not know or care and we are the masters of our own destiny.

Belshazzar carried on until it was too late. 

Daniel read the writing on the wall to Belshazzar and explained it to him.  First, Daniel explained the meaning of the history that Belshazzar had lived through.  Daniel explained that God had humbled Nebuchadnezzar until Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged that God rules over the affairs of men.  Next, Daniel explained that Belshazzar was ignoring these lessons and should have known better.  Finally, Daniel interprets the message written by the hand on the wall.

The message was a pronunciation of judgment.  This was not a “turn, repent and be saved” message.  This was an “it is over” message.

Belshazzar ignores this news and pronounces Daniel the third highest ruler in the empire.  Nabonidus is number one.  Belshazzar is number two, and Daniel is number three.  Wow, the seat of power for an hour or two!

This points out another human tendency.

The nation of Israel ignored God’s warnings until the country was finally destroyed.  The kingdom of Judah ignored God’s warnings until the country was finally destroyed.  Jesus warned the Jews of His day of the coming destruction of Jerusalem, but they also ignored the warnings.  This same pattern will continue to the end.  The Great Tribulation will be a seven-year period when God gives humanity one last chance.  The vast majority will be like Belshazzar and his nobles, partying until the very end.

God has always kept a remnant for Himself.  For example, Daniel was a godly man in an ungodly nation.  After the seventy years of exile, thousands of Jews returned to Jerusalem under Ezra and Nehemiah, people who had remained faithful to God.

Jesus said:

¹³“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate.  The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.  ¹⁴But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.  (Matthew 7:13-14)

The question for each one of us today is, “Will we choose to acknowledge God today, or will we blindly rush on to destruction?”

The Bible is clear.  We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  (Romans 3:23)  The handwriting is on the wall.  The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death.”  (Romans 6:23)  However, this is not an “It is over” message.  Because, this handwriting says, “But the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”  (Romans 6:23)  All one has to do to avoid the penalty of death is to accept this free gift of God.

The Lord Jesus will be returning soon.  He promised to return.  Meanwhile, the world is feasting, drinking wine, watching movies and celebrating its gods of gold, silver, iron, wood plastic and chrome.  The first time he came as a baby, and died to be our Savior.  He rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and will return as a victorious conquering King.  Those who are not ready will find themselves, like Belshazzar, lost and without hope.

We all need to humble ourselves and call upon the Name of the Lord now, while there is time.

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[i] Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation.  Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Steam, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.

[ii] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cylinders_of_Nabonidus.  Note also, Schultz, Samuel J., The Old Testament Speaks, Harper & Row, San Francisco, 1980.  pg. 370

Nebuchadnezzar's Huge Idol

King Nebuchadnezzar built a huge idol.

Dr. W. A. Scott writes:

We are not without historical confirmation of the narrative as to the existence of gigantic idols of gold among the Babylonians.  Herodotus writes that in his day there was at Babylon an idol image of gold twelve cubits high; and, what is still more remarkable, another authority, obviously speaking of the same statue, mentions that every stranger was obliged to worship it before he was allowed to enter the city.[i]

Herodotus was a Greek historian who wrote about 100 years after the events of Daniel.

Pride.  Pride is why Nebuchadnezzar built his idol.  He said:

Look at this great city of Babylon!  By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor.[ii]  (Daniel 4:30)

He made a name for himself, a name that is remembered to this day.

Nebuchadnezzar had at least four godly men in his service:  Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.  God used these men to confront Nebuchadnezzar’s pride.

However, Nebuchadnezzar was king.  He had authority over all the high officers, officials, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the provincial officials.  (Daniel 3:2)  He insisted that all the high officers and officials worship the image that he had set up.

What is the point of that?

Pride.

He could tell them what to do and they had to do it; such power, such control!

Consider how he responded when he was refused.  He did not get his way.

Three men, three Hebrew men, refused to bow down before his idol.  His goal was blocked.  He wanted to demonstrate his absolute power and these three had the audacity to refuse.

Nebuchadnezzar was furious.  He threw a kingly fit.  What is the point of heating the furnace seven times hotter?  It is unreasonable.  The scriptures tell us that his face was distorted with rage!  (Daniel 3:19)  His command (read tirade) was so urgent that they heated the furnace so hot it killed the soldiers throwing the three Hebrews into the fire.  (Daniel 3:22)

Before we go on to consider how this situation worked out, let’s consider how this applies to our lives.

We all build idols.  Our idols are not 90-foot tall statues of gold, but we still expect others to bow to them.

Galatians 5:17 says:

The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants.  And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.  These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

These idols I am speaking about are the desires of the sinful nature that are opposite of what the Spirit wants.  The real idol is self.  Whether Nebuchadnezzar’s image was a statue of himself or an image of one of his gods, it represented his high opinion of himself.  We, as believers, have been crucified with Christ.  (Galatians 2:20)  God should be on the throne of our lives, but sadly, too often self is on the throne.

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For example, with self on the throne, we will set a goal, and believe we have the power to make it happen.  It may be something as benign as a nice family outing.  However, any member of the family can block that goal.  When the five-year-old decides he does not like the family outing, the goal is blocked and self sees the offense against its power.  The family spends the next few days in the fiery furnace of self’s kingly rage.

Or, for another example, with self on the throne, we set out to control the people, circumstance and events in our lives.  This control might express itself in perfectionism.  The books on the table are always arranged just right.  The silverware in the drawers are always lined up and stacked just so.  The kitchen counter is always clean and neat.  The person, usually a family member, who ruins this perfection is thrown into the fiery furnace and suffers under self’s kingly rage.

Or for yet one more example, perhaps self has exalted self to law giver and judge.  We are always right.  James 4:11 speaks of this when it says:

Don't speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters.  If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God's law.  But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you.

We judge our brothers and sisters and even know their motives.  When others do not do right in our eyes, we send them to hell, the ultimate fiery furnace.  We write them off.  We do not speak to them.

Anger most often shows up when our goal or goals are blocked.  When we find ourselves getting angry, it is a good practice to ask, “What goal is being blocked?”  Ask God to help using the words of the Psalmist:

²³Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

²⁴Point out anything in me that offends you,

and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

(Psalm 139:23-24)

Nebuchadnezzar did not see that he was wrong.  He was the mighty king of Babylon and had the right to require the worship of his subjects.  However, God used those who were powerless to shame this powerful man.  (1 Corinthians 1:27)

These three Hebrew men told Nebuchadnezzar:

O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.  ¹⁷If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us.  He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.  ¹⁸But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.  (Daniel 3:16-18)

I love the boldness and faith of these men.  They stood up against something that was clearly wrong.  God says, very clearly, “You must not have any other god but me.”  (Exodus 20:3)  These men were also willing to pay the price for their boldness.  The king had the authority to throw them into the blazing furnace, and in their response, these men showed they were willing to face those consequences.

I want to be sensitive in drawing the application in our lives, but if we love someone, we will not pander to their huge idols.  Relationships are often the battlegrounds for huge power struggles.  If I find myself, like Nebuchadnezzar, in a rage, my problem is me: no one else, me.  In contrast to this, God calls us to a standard of Love.  He commands us to love our neighbor as our self.  1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says:

⁴Love is patient and kind.  Love is not jealous or boastful or proud ⁵or rude.  It does not demand its own way.  It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.  ⁶It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  ⁷Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

With self on the throne, this is impossible.  However, the fruit of the Spirit is love. 

Sometimes being loving means we have to stand up against something that is wrong, no matter what the consequences.

There are times in life when we, like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, are thrown into the furnace, even for trying to do the right thing. 

At times like this, it is helpful to remember 1 Peter 4:12-14:

¹²Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.  ¹³Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

¹⁴So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.

Do you see these words, “So that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory revealed to all the world!”  This is exactly what happened with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

Being angry because my goal is blocked, and standing up for my faith in Jesus Christ are not the same thing.  Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were used by God to confront the pride of Nebuchadnezzar because they chose to obey God rather than man.  God honored these men, because they honored God.  They consistently honored God.  When all the other captives accepted the food and drink provided by the Babylonians, these men decided to honor God and ate vegetables and water.  They put God above their bodily comfort.  When these men were faced with bowing before another god or dying, they chose dying.  They put God before their lives.

When you and I honor God more than self, He honors us.  When you and I honor God more than our job, He honors us.  When you and I honor God more than family, He honors us. 

We must seek to honor God above all else, especially self.  Jesus said:

²⁶“If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life.  Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.  ²⁷And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.  (Luke 14:26-27)

Look at the results of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s actions.  The proud king, Nebuchadnezzar, acknowledged the greatness of God.  The Name of the God of the Hebrews was proclaimed throughout the lands under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar as he issued a decree that to speak against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego was a capital offense.

Pride would lead us to set up meaningless, fruitless and empty idols, huge idols.  However, if we would live fruitful, powerful lives, we must honor God above all else.

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[i] http://biblehub.com/sermons/auth/scott/gigantic_idols.htm

[ii]  Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation.  Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Steam, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.

Living for God in a Messed Up World

Daniel 1[i] 

Genesis 10 tells of the descendants of Cush.  If you remember, Noah had three sons with him on the Ark: Shem, Ham and Japheth.  Cush was the son of Ham.  One of Cush’s descendants was a mighty warrior named Nimrod.  According to Genesis 10:10, Nimrod built his kingdom in the land of Babylonia.

Immediately after the flood, everyone on earth spoke the same language.  God told Noah, “Be fruitful and multiply.  Fill the earth.”  (Genesis 9:1)  However, we learn in Genesis 11 that the descendants of Noah decided not to fill the earth.  In the land of Babylonia, they built a tower saying, “Come let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky.  This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.” (Genesis 11:4)  Humanity wanted to make a name for itself.  Humanity wanted to make itself, great.

God intervened and spoiled their plans by confusing their language.  This incident is known as the “Tower of Babel,” and Babel is where the name “Babylon” comes from.  A man named “Nimrod” led the people who built the Tower of Babel and the city of Babylon.  His name sounds like the Hebrew word for “rebel.”[ii]  (Nimrod = name of Babylonian king or prince: Nu-marad = 'Man of Marad' compare Genesis 10:8[iii]  “marad = rebel[iv])  Babylon plays the rebel role in history and in prophecy.  Babylon represents the efforts of humanity to reach up to heaven for itself.  Babylon represents the efforts of humanity to make itself, great.

The height of the power and glory of the Babylonian Empire was during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar.  King Nebuchadnezzar marched his army against Jerusalem three times.  Babylon defeated Jerusalem in 605 BC, in 597 BC and in 586 BC, burning Jerusalem to the ground the third time.

It seemed the rebellious city had triumphed over the “City of Peace.”  However, Daniel 1:2 says, “The Lord gave him victory over King Jehoiakim of Judah and permitted him to take some of the sacred objects from the Temple of God.”

Now, I am getting way ahead of myself, but I am going to take some time here to point out that when Jesus hung on the cross, it seemed as if the world and the devil had won.  However, He was handed over according to God’s prearranged plan and foreknowledge.  (Acts 2:23)

At the time the Lord gave Nebuchadnezzar victory over Jerusalem, Daniel and his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were taken captive, and were moved by King Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon.  They were moved from the “City of Peace” to the city of “confusion.”  (Genesis 11:9, Babel sounds like the Hebrew word for confusion.  However, the Babylonian word means “gate of God.”  This idea of a human-built “gate of God” shows the rebellious nature of the city.  There is only one “Gate of God,” the man Christ Jesus.)

The “City of Confusion” immediately began trying to squeeze Daniel and his friends into its mold.

The first line of attack was their identity. 

These were Hebrew young men.  Their names honored the God of the Hebrews.  Daniel means, “God is judge.”  Hananiah means, “Yahweh is gracious.”  Mishael means, “Who is what God is?”  Azariah means, “Whom Yahweh helps.”

The “City of Confusion” gave them names in order to change their identity.  Daniel (God is judge) became “Belteshazzar,” meaning “May Bel protect his life.” Hananiah (Yahweh is gracious) became “Shadrach,” meaning “command of Aku.” Mishael (Who is what God is) became “Meshach,” meaning, “who is what Aku is.”  Aku was the “Moon god.”  Azariah (whom Yahweh helps) became “Abed-nego,” meaning “servant of Nebo.”[v]

In each case, the Hebrew name contains a reference to the true God, and the Babylonian name changes this for a reference to a false god.

The parallel for the Christian living in the world is astounding.  When a person believes in Jesus and receives Him as his or her Savior, that person becomes a new person.  (2 Corinthians 5:17)  He or she is born again.  (John 3:3ff)  He or she is given the right to become a child of God.  (John 1:12, 1 John 3:1)

The “City of Confusion,” in which we live, attacks this identity in subtle ways.

First, it tells us we are not good enough.  “If you are a child of God, why do you still sin?”  It tells us, “You call yourself a Christian, and yet you lost your temper with xyz.”  Of course, some truth is contained in these accusations.  A child of God should not continue to sin.  However, God has made a provision for our weakness.  He says, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”  (1 John 1:9)  The fact that we acknowledge our sin shows that we have the Spirit of God within us.  (1 John 1:10, John 16:8) 

Even more insidious than this attack in our confidence is the subtle trick of getting us to put our confidence in something other than the one true God.  We see this in Daniel’s case in the changing of the names.  However, in our “City of Confusion,” another tool is used.  We have catch phrases or truisms that are accepted by the masses without real question or thought.  One such catch phrase or truism is, “You must believe in yourself.”[vi]

The person in the mental ward of the hospital, who thinks he is an egg, has the utmost confidence in himself, and will put together a rather sound logical argument in defense of his position.  Believing in one’s self is nonsense.  Which one of us, by believing in his or her self, can change one hair from white to black?  Which one of us, by thinking, can make his (or her) own heart beat?  Did David defeat Goliath by believing in himself?  Of course not!  David defeated Goliath because his confidence was in God.

When the disciples faced the biggest test of their lives, Jesus told them, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, and trust also in me.”  (John 14:1) 

I am not speaking against confidence.  We Christians ought to be the most confident people in the world: not confidence in ourselves, but confidence in our Savior.  “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”  (Philippians 4:13, ESV[vii])  The Bible asks us a question.  It says, “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”  (Romans 8:31) 

Putting our trust in anything other than God, is a wicked evil trap, and we fall prey to it without thinking.  If God is on our side, who can ever stand against us?  This is our true identity as children of God.

Daniel and his friends were also attacked in their understanding.  In Daniel 1:4, Nebuchadnezzar gives these instructions, “Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.” Verse 5 tells us that they were to be trained for 3 years.  For 3 years, these men were immersed in the superstitions, the confusing lies, and the language and culture of the Babylonians.  It was in the air they breathed.  Every newscast, every magazine, every book and every movie was filled with Babylon.  However, they came out unscathed, and, when tested, came out faithful to God.

We need to learn how they did this.

Every newscast, every magazine, every book and every movie in our lives is filled with Babylon.  How can we stay faithful to God in this environment?

Daniel and his friends did it with food.  They remained faithful by controlling their diet.  Now, do not jump to conclusions.  The answer for you and me is not in our diet.  The significance of the diet for Daniel and his friends was in their identity.

The first and strongest attack Babylon made on Daniel and his friends was on their identity.  Therefore, their first and strongest counterattack had to do with their identity.  They had to remember who they were.  They were Hebrews.  They were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, not those silly Babylonian names.  Their tool, method or strategy for remembering their true identity was to keep a kosher diet.  It worked to their advantage by maintaining health and vigor along with setting them apart and keeping them from conforming without expressing rebellion or obstinacy.

The New Testament teaches us believers in Christ a different method.  Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (ESV)

We are not to conform to the world.  God has made us participants in our growth.  Philippians 2:12-13 says, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”  (ESV)  This expresses that we are to work and at the same time says that it is God who is working.  Our confidence is in the work of God in our lives.  It is God who will perform a good work in us.  (Philippians 1:6)  It is this confidence that gives us courage and strength to work.  2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval.”  We are not passive.  “Do not be conformed,” and “be transformed,” are commands to be obeyed.

Start with your identity.  Do you know who you are in Christ?  1 Peter 2:11 puts it this way, “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” 

Daniel and his friends never forgot that they were sojourners and exiles in a foreign land.  As Christians, we also must never forget that our citizenship is in heaven.  As citizens of heaven, we must eat the food our heavenly Father has given us.  This food is the Word of God, found in the Bible.  Do not give up this heavenly food for the fluffy stuff Babylon calls food. 

How often do you eat?

Daniel and his friends ate every day and every day they were reminded who they were. 

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[i] Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation.  Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Steam, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.

[ii] Dyer, Charles.  The Road to Armagedddon.  Word Publishing, Nashville, TN.  1999. pg 109.

[iii] http://biblehub.com/hebrew/5248.htm

[iv] http://biblehub.com/hebrew/4775.htm

[v] Ryrie, Charles.  The Ryrie Study Bible.  Moody Press, Chicago. 1978. pg 1307.

[vi] For a better treatment of this subject see:  Orthodoxy, by G. K. Chesterton, Chapter 2.

[vii] Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.

Dry Bones

Ezekiel 37:1-14[i]

Ezekiel wrote about a vision he had of a valley full of dry bones.  The old song “Dem Bones” tells the story of the bones coming together and coming to life.  It is a remarkable and captivating picture, and even more importantly, it carries a message of hope, restoration and life!

This message came from an extraordinary man.

Ezekiel was from the family of a priest named Buzi.  (Ezekiel 1:3)  He was born in or around Jerusalem, but the Babylonians took him captive around eight years after Daniel and his friends were taken captive.  From that time on, he lived in the country of the Babylonians.  Ezekiel prophesied to the exiled Jewish people living in Babylon for more than 22 years. (Compare Ezekiel 1:2 with Ezekiel 29:17-21)  His ministry started during Zedekiah’s reign, at which time his contemporary, Jeremiah, would have been ministering in Jerusalem.

Ezekiel knew from the start that his message would not be received.  In Ezekiel 3:7-9, God tells Ezekiel:

⁷”But the people of Israel won’t listen to you any more than they listen to me!  For the whole lot of them are hard-hearted and stubborn.  ⁸But look, I have made you as obstinate and hard-hearted as they are.  ⁹I have made your forehead as hard as the hardest rock!  So don’t be afraid of them or fear their angry looks, even though they are rebels.”

Like Jeremiah, Ezekiel brought a message of God’s judgment of evil.  He said:

This message came to me from the LORD: ²“Son of man, this is what the Sovereign LORD says to Israel:  “The end is here!  Wherever you look—east, west, north, or south—your land is finished.  ³No hope remains, for I will unleash my anger against you.  I will call you to account for all your detestable sins.”  (Ezekiel 7:1-3)

This message characterized the first seven years of his ministry.  Then Jerusalem fell.  After the fall of Jerusalem, Ezekiel’s message changed to one of consolation, comfort and hope.  He tells of God’s glorious plans for the nation of Israel, the coming Messiah and the Millennial Kingdom. 

The New Covenant, first announced by Jeremiah, is a strong part of Ezekiel’s message.  He says:

²⁴For I will gather you up from all the nations and bring you home again to your land.

²⁵“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean.  Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols.  ²⁶And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you.  I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.  ²⁷And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.

²⁸“And you will live in Israel, the land I gave your ancestors long ago.  You will be my people, and I will be your God.  (Ezekiel 36:26-28)

This message of hope, restoration and life is what the “Dry Bones” are about.

Ezekiel 37:1-3 says:

¹The LORD took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the LORD to a valley filled with bones.  ²He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor.  They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out.  ³Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?”

“O Sovereign LORD,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.”

The valley filled with bones represents the nation of Israel.  This is stated clearly in Ezekiel 37:11, “Son of man, these bones represent the people of Israel.”  The bones were dried out, representing the fact that the nation was completely dead, and had been for some time.  They were scattered and disconnected, representing the fact that the nation was dispersed among the nations.  This was the case for Israel for many centuries until May 14, 1948.  For many centuries the answer the world gave to God’s question to Ezekiel was, “Nothing can bring these bones to life again.”

However, God is doing it.

Ezekiel 37:7-8 says:

⁷So I spoke this message, just as he told me.  Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley.  The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons.  ⁸Then as I watched, muscles and flesh formed over the bones.  Then skin formed to cover their bodies, but they still had no breath in them.

The gathering of the bones together is a progressive thing.  The bones come together to form a skeleton.  In “Dem Bones:”

Toe bone connected to the foot bone

Foot bone connected to the heel bone

Heel bone connected to the ankle bone

Ankle bone connected to the shin bone

Shin bone connected to the knee bone

Etc.

This progressive collecting and connecting represents what is happening today.  Even the flesh and skin forming over the bones is taking place, but notice that according to Ezekiel the bodies still had no breath in them.  This is the condition of the nation of Israel today.  They exist as a nation, but they do not have the Son of David as their King.  They do not have the Spirit of God in their hearts as Ezekiel and Jeremiah prophesied.  This will continue to be their condition until the time of the Gentiles is full.  (Luke 21:24)  Romans 11:25 explains it this way:

I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves.  Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ.

A time is coming when God will fulfill what remains of this vision.  At that time, this is what Ezekiel says will happen:

²³They will never again pollute themselves with their idols and vile images and rebellion, for I will save them from their sinful backsliding.  I will cleanse them.  Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.

²⁴“My servant David will be their king, and they will have only one shepherd.  They will obey my regulations and be careful to keep my decrees.  ²⁵They will live in the land I gave my servant Jacob, the land where their ancestors lived.  They and their children and their grandchildren after them will live there forever, generation after generation.  And my servant David will be their prince forever.  (Ezekiel 37:23-25)

This is God’s plan for the nation of Israel.

However, this does have application for us as Gentile believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Scriptures tell us, “Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.” (Ephesians 2:1) Like the “dry bones,” we had no hope of being restored to life.  According to the Scriptures, we were:

In those days you were living apart from Christ.  You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them.  You lived in this world without God and without hope.  (Ephesians 2:12)

Our condition without Christ is described in Scripture in the darkest, bleakest terms possible.  We were dead.  We were in darkness.  We lived in this world without God and without hope.  If I may offer a word to those who do not know Christ, this is how God describes you.

However, it need not stay this way.  Ephesians 2:5 tells us, “Even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.”

God has brought my broken and messed up “dry bones” back together and given me a new life.  “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.  The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”  (2 Corinthians 5:17)

In fact, although we are not the nation of Israel, during the Church Age that we are living in, God treats Jew and Gentile the same.  It says in Ephesians 2:19:

So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners.  You are citizens along with all of God's holy people.  You are members of God's family.

Galatians 3:28 echoes this statement when it says:

There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female.  For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

If I may quote one more passage, 1 Peter 2:10 says, “Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”  (ESV)[ii]

This valley of “dry bones” carries a message of hope for us.

No matter how hopeless it looks, God can piece your life back together.  Will you, like the “dry bones,” hear the word of the Lord?  Will you trust Him with your brokenness?  Will you give Him the pieces of your life, and trust Him to put the pieces back together?

Listen to what the Lord says:

⁵This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “Look!  I am going to put breath into you and make you live again!  ⁶I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin.  I will put breath into you, and you will come to life.  Then you will know that I am the LORD.”  (Ezekiel 37:5-6)

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[i] Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation.  Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Steam, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.

[ii] Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.