Belief to Behavior (3)

This week we will look at yet another account from the timeline of Daniel’s book.

The last two weeks we’ve been looking at this idea that what we believe to be true about life leads to how we ultimately live life.

And we’ve been looking at the historical account of Daniel.

The first week we looked at Daniel’s entrance, Daniel and his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, into the Babylonian empire.

Babylon had just taken over Judah and the city of Jerusalem. They’ve taken articles of worship from the Temple of God and they’ve taken these guys as well.

The first thing we see with these four young men is that they were placed in a three year program to learn Babylonian ways. Part of that is the, seemingly prestigious gift, of getting to eat from the King’s table. However, the food that would be served would go against the food restrictions that the Israelites followed.

Daniel 1 records that he resolved that he would not eat and defile himself. So what we see here is that Daniel is living according to what he believes to be true. God is real and over events of history. God is also involved in his, Daniel’s life.

Daniel chooses to walk the road of holiness because of these beliefs. He makes decisions based on the holiness that God has called him to.

The next chapter details an interpretation of a dream. King Nebuchadnezzar wants his dream explained and interpreted…without any knowledge shared on his part. Because of their belief in who God is and what God can do, they pray. They go to God…because He is not only over the affairs of nations, but He is personal as well. God grants them both the dream and its interpretation. God is called by both Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar as the revealer of mysteries.

And here we are at the next chapter. Chapter 3 of Daniel. The famous account of the the image of gold.

Why are we going through these accounts?

Belief to Behavior

What we believe leads to how we live

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah all believed in God

The historical account of God creating

Of God’s design and planning of human history

Of God’s purpose for humanity…to fill the earth with His image and glory. The purpose given in the beginning.

And God’s plan to restore humanity to that original purpose. Sin is in the world, but God has a plan…and they were part of it.

For us: Do we also believe those things? That we are involved in God’s plan to restore and recreate everthing? That God is involved in everything that is happening around us? That the world has been effected by sin but Jesus offers salvation…forgiveness…a way back? And that one day He is returning to complete this process?

Is that what we believe to be true? Is that how we see reality?

Or do we sometimes see the shadowed part of reality? What truths do we listen to? Paul encouraged us, “do not be conformed by this world but be transformed by the renewing/changing of your mind to know what God’s will is.”

So here in this book written by Daniel, we see these four individuals trying their best to live by God’s will. Trying to remember the truths about Him and then living, making choices, according to God’s plan and will.

I think that’s our challenge as we walk through life. What should we do? What shouldn’t we do? think..say…choices.

So with Daniel so far we see these guys making decisions based on Truth…and inside truth…holiness, worldview, and today we’re going to focus on value. What do we value more than anything in life?

READ Passage

Daniel 3 NIV

1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. 3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it. 4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” 7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! 10 Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.” 13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” 25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” 26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

Now, here we are looking at the idea that our beliefs lead to our behavior. What we know to be true about everything leads to how we live.

When commanded to bow, what was their response…and what was it based on?

Here’s what I think they would say. “We value God more than anything including our own lives.”

Values.

What/Who do you value more than anything else? And what is that value based on?

BECAUSE

What you value in life will show in your daily life (behavior, actions, words, attitude, temperament, etc.).

Now we can guess here…was this an easy decision for these guys? I’m not sure…it doesn’t tell us. But here’s their choice...

One side - position, family, wealth, security, life itself.

Other side - God

Do you think they “felt” the weight of this decision?

I mean I read through this pretty quickly, but there were probably minutes…extended time to get the music ready to go…etc. Time to think and more. The weight of this decision was, I’m sure, heavy.

And this isn’t a private decision…this is very public. In front of other people that they work hand in hand with!

They could save themselves simply by bowing.

Others might say…” guys this is just a bow. It doesn’t change your heart or your belief. We need you here. You’re good leaders and our group here needs good leaders. You’re valued here. Think of your family and friends. Just bow. It won’t mean anything really.”

They may be thinking…Will this decision be worth it? Is there really something more valuable than human life? Especially when this life is mine!

What at question? What is the price of spiritual integrity? This is a question of value…and it will be decided on these guys believe to be true about God and life itself.....this isn’t just simple obedience.

This is a decision of the heart.

Truth question…who has real power? This becomes the question that King Nebuchadnezzar is faced with. The king found that there are those who value the absolute power of God…even over their own lives.

The King then declares that these three are true servants of the MOST HIGH GOD.

What Nebuchadnezzar realized it this…God didn’t save them from the fire. God saved them while in the fire. That matches reality doesn’t it. We often go through situation we would say are horrific, like fire, very difficult. God walks with us in the fire.

What about us....? What is it now…forward in time....who is our top absolute value? Jesus Christ.

Gulag Story - 150-151

I think a good pattern for us is the life of Jesus. I only do say live according to how the Father leads me. In truth.

In a way that’s what we see Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah doing.

What about us? Who or what do we value the most in life?

Philippians 3:8 (CSB)

8 ...I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ

Now the context here is that Paul is and has been talking about how good of Jew he was. He was the best of the best. A rising star in leadership. He was looked up…but he considers that all....loss. But what he has gained…

Notice he says the surpassing value.

Jesus showed us this too.

John 5:19 CSB

19 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, the Son is not able to do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son likewise does these things.

Jesus, gives us a hint. Do what God does. Be like Him. Don’t conform to the pattern of this world but let me transform your heart and mind so you can discern what God would do…God’s will.

What you believe to be true…what you value the most in life…will show in your daily life.

Our goal? Show others there’s a God who is active in this world…active in their world as well. Wants to be close to them.