Series: Daniel
Chapter 3
Daniel 3:1-7 (The Golden Image)
Daniel 3:8-13 ESV
Daniel 3:14-15 (Meeting with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego)
Daniel 3:16-20 ESV
Daniel 3:21-23 (The Hot Hot Furnace)
Daniel 3:24-30 ESV
There are times in this life when humans are unable to make a ‘go’ of things by themselves. Having said that, I’ve known my fair share of people who think they can do it on their own. Some people I’ve known are believers and some are not believers. In other words some believe in God but they think that only goes so far. They are not willing (or able) to trust God when times get tough.
I’ve also known (know) people who trust God.
They turn to Jesus daily and turn over the reigns.
In Daniel 3:1-7 we are told that King Nebuchadnezzer had a golden image made that was 60 cubits high by six cubits wide. A cubit is 18” so it was a good size statue. He ordered that it would be placed in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. Scripture doesn’t say if the image was inside a building or outside but it was placed in a spot where everyone could see it.
The King decided to have a dedication ceremony of the image and he invited all the important people in his kingdom to the ceremony. I would think that meant if you were invited you were expected to attend and since it was an outdoor event anyone could attend.
A crier or a herald announced at a prescribed time there would be music throughout the land and when everyone hears the music they are (ordered) to fall down and worship the golden image.
Got it?
They were also told that anyone who does not worship the golden image will be thrown into a really hot fiery furnace. So when the people heard the music they fell down and worshipped the golden image.
However, we are told in Daniel 3:8-13, “Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. They declared to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king.”
So, Nebuchadnezzer made it his business to speak with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego so he could make sure they understood what they were supposed to do when the music started…kind of like musical chairs. The king informed them they would be thrown into the fiery hot furnace. Then he asked the three compadres who is the god who would deliver them from being torched? (Daniel 3:14-15)
Their response was quick and in Daniel 3:16-20 we are told, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.“
Wow…they actually SAID they didn’t need to answer him? Put that into context. This WAS the king who marched in and destroyed complete cities and regions with his mighty army. He was known for his power and might. The name King Nebuchadnezzer meant something in his time. Yet, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not budge.
Then after Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who were bound and who also had all their worldly garments on were thrown into the extra super fiery hot furnace. We need to understand that because the king was super mad, he ordered the furnace to be heated up extra extra hot. It was so hot the flames scorched and totally annihilated the men who were standing outside the furnace who threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the furnace. (Daniel 3:21-23)
And we read in Daniel 3:24-30, “Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king's counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.” Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.”
Really? I mean, really? The fourth man in the furnace had the appearance of a SON OF THE GODS?
Well…King Nebuchadnezzer certainly didn’t see that one coming!
The whole affair was a game-changer for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and pretty much for the mighty King Nebuchadnezzer as well.
He decided to take the God of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego (and Daniel) seriously. The king made a decree that no one would be allowed to speak against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego or Daniel again or they would suffer dire consequences.
Then on top of that King Nebuchadnezzer promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Isn’t that unexpected and amazing?
Yes, yes, and yes. Our God is unexpected and amazing!
Spiritual Practice: Amazing God
What unexpected and amazing miracle has God done in your life? If you can’t think of anything, ask God to show you!
In God, Deborah
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