So Nebuchadnezzar does not become a true believer, and yet, because of all that happened, the Lord receives greater honour. Among the nations his name is spoken with awe. Nebuchadnezzar’s own reverence for the Lord again causes him to treat the three friends with respect and awe. Their careers at the court progress well. This is how the Lord protects his people in the smelting furnace of the exile. He makes sure that not all of his people blend in with the pagan nations and that not the whole church is absorbed into the world. He makes sure that in this furnace of fire, there is a remnant who will remain faithful to him as the only God through all the trials they endure! A remnant will return to the promised land as the Lord has promised. There, in God’s time, the Redeemer will be brought forth from them and for them.
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.