Sermon Tone Analysis

You have heard the saying, “Baptism by Fire”, well, I discovered that it is a phrase originating from Europe that describes an “employee that is learning something the hard way through a challenge or difficulty.”

It is a test of one's abilities to perform well under pressure.

This too is an appropriate theme not only for today’s story from Daniel, but actually for ALL of Daniel.

It is about being spiritually fit.

We are never too old to start getting fit either physically or spiritually.

A grandmother wanted to stay in shape so at the age of 60 she started walking five kilometers a day.

She’s turns 97 this year and they still don’t know where she is!

Yet this is an appropriate theme not only for today’s story from Daniel, but actually for all of Daniel.

Overall, Daniel teaches us to persevere.

Marshall Shelley says, “Commitment is not simply a mental attitude; it’s developing an ability to further the cause you’re committed to.”

Overall, Daniel teaches us to persevere.

Overall, Daniel teaches us to persevere.

We are to refuse to let the things of the world distract us from the story of God.

We are to resist a world that wants us to think that actions like praying and showing integrity are insignificant; when in reality these actions provide opportunities for God’s power to break through.

As we hear from King Nebuchadnezzar, “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.”

Marshall Shelley says, “Commitment is not simply a mental attitude; it’s developing an ability to further the cause you’re committed to.”

A little more background to the book of Daniel...

Marshall Shelley says, “Commitment is not simply a mental attitude; it’s developing an ability to further the cause you’re committed to.”

A little more background to the book of Daniel...

Daniel is set during the Babylonian exile ().

When King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon defeated the Egyptians at the battle of Carchemish (605 bc), and Judah came under his authority.

He then entered Jerusalem and took many prominent citizens to Babylon, including Daniel and three of his friends.

Several years later, Nebuchadnezzar again deported people from Judah to Babylon (597 bc; see ).

These captives included the prophet Ezekiel.

Also, several years later, Nebuchadnezzar would deport people from Judah to Babylon (597 bc; see ). of which would include the prophet Ezekiel.

Daniel spent his entire adult life in Babylon—even after the Babylonians were conquered by the Persians in 539 bc (; ).

Daniel spent his entire adult life in Babylon—even after the Babylonians were conquered by the Persians in 539 bc (; ).

In , (let’s turn to )

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.

He invites everyone to its dedication.

And then he gives a clearly defined edict.

6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, may have been the only Jews present and are the only ones to defy the king’s command.

Here is where their “baptism by fire” begins, to learn “something the hard way through a challenge or difficulty.”

It too is a teaching for us.

Have you ever had a ‘baptism by fire?’

I remember on my very first day in the ministry, in fact only hours upon my arrival to my first church, as we were moving into the parsonage I received a call from the local funeral home, that a 36 year old man had committed suicide.

For me, it was a baptism by fire, my very first funeral would be a suicide.

Themes

Living in a culture hostile to Yahweh, Daniel shows that courageous faith in Yahweh—along with personal integrity and persistent prayer—is the way to live.

The stories of demonstrate how the people of God can live righteously, even in a culture that opposes their faith.

Daniel and his three friends ask Yahweh to deliver them from life-threatening danger and impossible dilemmas, and He is faithful to answer.

A lot of what we do in LIFE is on the job training isn’t it?

Learning how to be a spouse; or a parent…there are no adequate manuals for that.

The story continues...

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.”

The visions of provide hope by teaching that Yahweh is ultimately in charge of everything.

They step back from the confusion of contemporary events to focus on God’s greater plan.

Daniel’s visions show the need to persist in faith through the messiness of everyday circumstances.

Daniel also proclaims resurrection, indicating that some people who have died will wake up to eternal life; others will face everlasting contempt ().

So King Nebuchadnezzar becomes furious and even very disappointed with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and threatens to throw them into the fiery furnace.

And he challenges them, “Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

And they respond with a very powerful statement of faith...

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.”

There are three key points we can draw from it:

We do not need to defend ourselves.

God does it.

God will deliver us.

God is both able and faithful to deliver His people.

God’s power and the reward of integrity…

We will not serve or worship your gods.

No matter what happens.

Even in death — the ultimate sacrifice!

The New International Version.

(2011).

().

Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.pond

with a very powerful answer...

The three men would rather die than obey Nebuchadnezzar’s command.

Their faith in God’s ability to deliver them and their unwavering stance in the face of martyrdom has served as an example to all exiled and oppressed Jews (compare ).

They trusted in God.

Those who trust in Yahweh and do not conform to the religious standards of pagan kings will be delivered.

Those who trust in Yahweh and do not conform to the religious standards of pagan kings will be delivered.

In addition to being meaningful to those in the Babylonian exile,

In addition to being meaningful to those in the Babylonian exile, the Jews to whom the prophecies in the latter half of the book apply — those suffering at the hands of Antiochus — would also find great comfort in this truth.T heir statement here shows that they did not need to make a defense before the king; they had already made up their minds as to whom they would serve.

Compliance was unthinkable to them.

Their noncompliance, initially was the reason for their capital punishment, however, it is now elevated as virtue.

the Jews to whom the prophecies in the latter half of the book apply—those suffering at the hands of Antiochus—would also find great comfort in this truth.Their statement here shows that they did not need to make a defense before the king; they had already made up their minds as to whom they would serve.

Compliance was unthinkable to them.

Marshall Shelley says, “Commitment is not simply a mental attitude; it’s developing an ability to further the cause you’re committed to.”

Then one could say, things begin to heat 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.

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.

The New International Version.

(2011).

().

Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

How HOT was it?

It was so hot, that it killed the kings top soldiers who took the three to the blazing furnace.

The New International Version.

(2011).

().

Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

How HOT was it?

So hot, that it killed the soldiers who took the three to the blazing furnace.

the one furnace heated seven times.

Is an Aramaic phrase expressing the king’s desire to have the furnace as hot as possible.

(3:26) There was a door on the side of the furnace for viewing, similar to cremation furnaces today.