Deeper Reflection
After throwing Shadrach, Mishael and Abednego into the fire, Nebuchadnezzar was “astounded” by what he saw in the furnace (v.24). In our furnace of adversity, we can be “astounded” by surprising twists from God.A fourth person – a divine being – was “walking in the midst of the fire” with the three faithful youths and they were “unharmed” (v.25). It was a physical demonstration of God’s presence with them. It is as God promised: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you… When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched…” (Isa 43:2). God’s presence with us in our pains and pressures is a strengthening, sustaining, shielding and saving presence of the Shepherd.God’s physical presence in the furnace found its richest fulfilment in Jesus Christ – “Immanuel” (Matt 1:23). But ironically, when “God with us” was in His blazing furnace, He cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matt 27:46). On the cross, Jesus “felt the utter aloneness of total abandonment by God. When He passed through the waters, there was no one by His side. When the fire of God’s wrath burned Him to the core and blazed unchecked over Him, He was entirely alone. There was no companion to share His burden, no angel sent to relieve His agony, no saving hand of God stretched down to preserve His faithful servant in His moment of greatest need”41. Jesus must die in His blazing furnace – for it was the will of God, so that we can freely enter God’s Holy Presence with confidence by His blood (Heb 10:19-20).

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⁴¹ Iain M. Duguid, 58