Isaiah leads the people of Israel in prayer, lament, and confession before the LORD. They call upon the LORD as their Father, asking Him to see them as His children, even though they have strayed. They acknowledge that He has sent them into exile and made them as those who are not called upon His name. Still, they pray that He would tear open the clouds and come down as He did at Mount Sinai. His awesome deeds, so unexpected to human wisdom, reveal Him to be the only true God, especially in the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The people pray to Him in confession of their complete sinfulness, throwing themselves upon His merciful goodness. Though the text ends with a question, the lament still leaves the people in hope, knowing that the LORD is a gracious Father.

Rev. Joel Haak, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Fraser, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Isaiah 63:15-64:12.

"The Fifth Evangelist” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through Isaiah 40-66. Though Isaiah lived one hundred years beforehand, he writes to the people of God in exile in Babylon to assure them that their God reigns and will rescue them through the work of His servant. These promises are fulfilled in Jesus Christ, whose work Isaiah proclaims vividly seven hundred years beforehand.

Isaiah 63:15-64:12: Rend the Heavens and Come Down

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

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King Nebuchadnezzar issues a decree concerning the way in which the one true God revealed that His dominion is the only everlasting kingdom. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled him; he saw a mighty tree that grew tall and provided shelter for many animals. Yet a watcher from heaven came down and proclaimed that this tree would be cut down and the stump would be given a portion with the beasts for a time. Daniel interpreted the dream for Nebuchadnezzar. Although Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom was mighty, he would be driven from it and made to live as a beast for a time, unless he repented. Nebuchadnezzar did not repent, and the Word of the LORD through Daniel came to pass. After the LORD restored Nebuchadnezzar’s reason and kingdom, Nebuchadnezzar recognized the LORD’s rule.

Rev. Martin Dressler, pastor at Salem Lutheran Church in Black Jack, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Daniel 4:1-37.

"God’s Kingdom Endures Forever” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Daniel. Although God’s people were exiled in Babylon, the LORD remained the true King. He strengthened His people for faithful confession in the face of idolatry, and through prophetic visions and dreams revealed that He would establish His everlasting Kingdom. This points to Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, who reigns over us and all creation.

Daniel 4:1-37: The LORD Humbles the Mighty

Perhaps incorrectly inspired by his dream of a statue, Nebuchadnezzar builds an enormous golden statue. He issues a decree that all people must bow down to worship it at the sound of any music. The penalty for disobedience is death in a fiery furnace. Some of the king’s pagan advisors, jealous of the high standing of the Judean exiles Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego, bring accusations against these men’s faithfulness to the LORD. When Nebuchadnezzar threatens them with death, they make the good confession that their God is the only one to be worshiped. Even though Nebuchadnezzar heats the furnace seven times hotter than usual, the LORD delivers the three young men.

Rev. John Bussman, pastor at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Cullman, AL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Daniel 3:1-30.

"God’s Kingdom Endures Forever” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Daniel. Although God’s people were exiled in Babylon, the LORD remained the true King. He strengthened His people for faithful confession in the face of idolatry, and through prophetic visions and dreams revealed that He would establish His everlasting Kingdom. This points to Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, who reigns over us and all creation.

Daniel 3:1-30: Faithful in the Fire

Nebuchadnezzar has a troubling dream that he commands his pagan advisors to both tell him and interpret for him. When they admit that they cannot, he is prepared to execute them all. Daniel intercedes on their behalf and prays, along with his three friends, that the LORD will make the matter known. The LORD answers their prayer, and Daniel gives the credit entirely to God as he tells Nebuchadnezzar both the dream and its interpretation. The statue made of different materials stands for the coming kingdoms of men, starting with Babylon and going through history to Rome. The stone that breaks the statue to pieces is the coming kingdom of God, which will be established forever.

Rev. Jeffrey Ries, pastor at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tacoma, WA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Daniel 2:1-49.

"God’s Kingdom Endures Forever” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Daniel. Although God’s people were exiled in Babylon, the LORD remained the true King. He strengthened His people for faithful confession in the face of idolatry, and through prophetic visions and dreams revealed that He would establish His everlasting Kingdom. This points to Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, who reigns over us and all creation.

Daniel 2:1-49: The Divine Stone Smashes the Kingly Statue

The book of Daniel begins in 605 BC with the first exiles Nebuchadnezzar took from Judah to Babylon. These initial exiles were from the upper echelons of Judean society, in a Babylonian effort to begin to assimilate the people under their culture and religion. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four young men brought into the king’s palace as a part of this attempt. Although they were assigned Babylonian names, they refused to compromise to false religion in the king’s court. The LORD blessed their faithfulness before the king, showing Himself to be the true God before Nebuchadnezzar and all his pagan advisors.

Rev. Jeremiah Johnson, pastor at Glory of Christ Lutheran Church in Plymouth, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Daniel 1:1-21.

"God’s Kingdom Endures Forever” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Daniel. Although God’s people were exiled in Babylon, the LORD remained the true King. He strengthened His people for faithful confession in the face of idolatry, and through prophetic visions and dreams revealed that He would establish His everlasting Kingdom. This points to Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, who reigns over us and all creation.

Daniel 1:1-21: Babylonian Names Don’t Erase Christian Faith

"God’s Kingdom Endures Forever” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Daniel. Although God’s people were exiled in Babylon, the LORD remained the true King. He strengthened His people for faithful confession in the face of idolatry, and through prophetic visions and dreams revealed that He would establish His everlasting Kingdom. This points to Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, who reigns over us and all creation.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Isaiah 63:15-64:12: Rend the Heavens and Come Down

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