Daniel 3
The Book of Daniel • Sermon • Submitted
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Once again in , we find a situation in crisis. The story is set in the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, although we don’t know specifically when. In the course of this story, we are reminded once again:
In spite of present appearances, God is in control.
God’s has the power over life and death.
1. Nebuchadnezzar’s Golden Statue ()
1. Nebuchadnezzar’s Golden Statue ()
1 King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue, ninety feet high and nine feet wide. He set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to assemble the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the rulers of the provinces to attend the dedication of the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the rulers of the provinces assembled for the dedication of the statue the king had set up. Then they stood before the statue Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 A herald loudly proclaimed, “People of every nation and language, you are commanded: 5 When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, drum, and every kind of music, you are to fall facedown and worship the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 But whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire.” 7 Therefore, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, and every kind of music, people of every nation and language fell down and worshiped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
A. The statue was massive: 90 feet high and 9 feet wide. (3:1)
A. The statue was massive: 90 feet high and 9 feet wide. (3:1)
1 King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue, ninety feet high and nine feet wide. He set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.
B. The statue was setup in the plain of Dura. (3:1)
B. The statue was setup in the plain of Dura. (3:1)
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This is just outside of Babylon, in about the same place the Tower of Babel would have been built. We don’t know what the identity of the image. Perhaps it was of a deity or of Nebuchadnezzar himself.
C. Nebuchadnezzar assembled all the government officials to the dedication of the statue. (3:2-3)
C. Nebuchadnezzar assembled all the government officials to the dedication of the statue. (3:2-3)
2 King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to assemble the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the rulers of the provinces to attend the dedication of the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the rulers of the provinces assembled for the dedication of the statue the king had set up. Then they stood before the statue Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
D. They are instructed that they must worship the statue or be killed (3:4-7)
D. They are instructed that they must worship the statue or be killed (3:4-7)
4 A herald loudly proclaimed, “People of every nation and language, you are commanded: 5 When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, drum, and every kind of music, you are to fall facedown and worship the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 But whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire.” 7 Therefore, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, and every kind of music, people of every nation and language fell down and worshiped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Most likely Nebuchadnezzar is trying to solidify his influence and control over his Empire. He want everyone to know that he is the boss. To reject the worship of this image was to reject the leadership of Nebuchadnezzar. This is why the penalty was so stiff. Obviously, it would be impossible for a faithful follower of God to obey the king’s command.
2. The Accusation ()
2. The Accusation ()
8 Some Chaldeans took this occasion to come forward and maliciously accuse the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever. 10 You as king have issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, drum, and every kind of music must fall down and worship the gold statue. 11 Whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire. 12 There are some Jews you have appointed to manage the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men have ignored you, the king; they do not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
A. Some of the native government official took the opportunity to point out the disobedience of the 3 Jewish advisors (3:8-12)
A. Some of the native government official took the opportunity to point out the disobedience of the 3 Jewish advisors (3:8-12)
8 Some Chaldeans took this occasion to come forward and maliciously accuse the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever. 10 You as king have issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, drum, and every kind of music must fall down and worship the gold statue. 11 Whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire. 12 There are some Jews you have appointed to manage the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men have ignored you, the king; they do not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
The text is largely silent as to where Daniel was during this crisis, but it is clear that these Chaldeans were racist and xenophobic. They did not like the fact that foreign were rising to influence in the Babylonian government.
3. The Confrontation ()
3. The Confrontation ()
13 Then in a furious rage Nebuchadnezzar gave orders to bring in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar asked them, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is it true that you don’t serve my gods or worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 Now if you’re ready, when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, drum, and every kind of music, fall down and worship the statue I made. But if you don’t worship it, you will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire—and who is the god who can rescue you from my power?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. 17 If the God we serve exists, then he can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he can rescue us from the power of you, the king. 18 But even if he does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”
A. Nebuchadnezzar is furious at the report. (3:13)
A. Nebuchadnezzar is furious at the report. (3:13)
13 Then in a furious rage Nebuchadnezzar gave orders to bring in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king.
B. Nebuchadnezzar gave them another opportunity to prove their allegiance to him (3:14-15)
B. Nebuchadnezzar gave them another opportunity to prove their allegiance to him (3:14-15)
14 Nebuchadnezzar asked them, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is it true that you don’t serve my gods or worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 Now if you’re ready, when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, drum, and every kind of music, fall down and worship the statue I made. But if you don’t worship it, you will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire—and who is the god who can rescue you from my power?”
C. Nebuchadnezzar reminds them of the penalty. (3:15)
C. Nebuchadnezzar reminds them of the penalty. (3:15)
D. Nebuchadnezzar challenged the power of God. (3:15)
D. Nebuchadnezzar challenged the power of God. (3:15)
E. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stand their ground. (3:16-18)
E. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stand their ground. (3:16-18)
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. 17 If the God we serve exists, then he can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he can rescue us from the power of you, the king. 18 But even if he does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”
Their statement sounds arrogant at first, but really is an example of tremendous courage. They acknowledge God’s power and ability to save them, but put God under no obligation to do so. Whatever happens, they will stay faithful to God. No matter the result, deliverance or death, they will not give in to the command and power of Nebuchadnezzar.
Think about the implication of their statement. We know that some people have died as a result of religious persecution. We know that some time God has no chosen to rescue his faithful servants from death. The point is not whether they lived or died. The point is that God is in control of the situation and in his unmatched wisdom he determines what is the outcome of the situation.
4. The Miraculous Deliverance ()
4. The Miraculous Deliverance ()
A. The king is enraged at the response of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (3:19-20)
A. The king is enraged at the response of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (3:19-20)
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He gave orders to heat the furnace seven times more than was customary, 20 and he commanded some of the best soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the furnace of blazing fire.
i. He had the furnace super heated (3:19)
i. He had the furnace super heated (3:19)
Most likely, this furnace was not a usual method of execution, but rather it was used in the construction of the image.
ii. He had his best soldiers tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. (3:20)
ii. He had his best soldiers tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. (3:20)
B. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown, bound and fully clothed into the fire (3:21-23)
B. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown, bound and fully clothed into the fire (3:21-23)
21 So these men, in their trousers, robes, head coverings, and other clothes, were tied up and thrown into the furnace of blazing fire. 22 Since the king’s command was so urgent and the furnace extremely hot, the raging flames killed those men who carried Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego up. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego fell, bound, into the furnace of blazing fire.
The text makes special note that they fire was so hot and raging that it killed the men who threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the fire. Surely, they too would die.
C. Nebuchadnezzar is startled by what he sees in the fire (3:24-25)
C. Nebuchadnezzar is startled by what he sees in the fire (3:24-25)
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in alarm. He said to his advisers, “Didn’t we throw three men, bound, into the fire?” “Yes, of course, Your Majesty,” they replied to the king. 25 He exclaimed, “Look! I see four men, not tied, walking around in the fire unharmed; and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”
No only are the three walked around in the fire unharmed, but he sees a fourth image that he described as looking like “a son of the gods”. In other words, he had a human form, but something was different about him.
D. Nebuchadnezzar ordered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to come out. (3:26)
D. Nebuchadnezzar ordered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to come out. (3:26)
26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the door of the furnace of blazing fire and called: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the Most High God—come out!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire.
E. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were completely untouched by the fire (3:27)
E. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were completely untouched by the fire (3:27)
27 When the satraps, prefects, governors, and the king’s advisers gathered around, they saw that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men: not a hair of their heads was singed, their robes were unaffected, and there was no smell of fire on them.
It was literally like they had never been in the fire. It had no effect whatsoever! God is once again showing Nebuchadnezzar who is in charge.
5. Nebuchadnezzar worships God ()
5. Nebuchadnezzar worships God ()
A. Nebuchadnezzar is moved from anger to worship (3:28)
A. Nebuchadnezzar is moved from anger to worship (3:28)
28 Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel and rescued his servants who trusted in him. They violated the king’s command and risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.
B. Nebuchadnezzar decreed that nothing offensive be said about God under penalty of death (3:29)
B. Nebuchadnezzar decreed that nothing offensive be said about God under penalty of death (3:29)
29 Therefore I issue a decree that anyone of any people, nation, or language who says anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be torn limb from limb and his house made a garbage dump. For there is no other god who is able to deliver like this.”
C. Nebuchadnezzar rewarded Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (3:30)
C. Nebuchadnezzar rewarded Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (3:30)
30 Then the king rewarded Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
The intentions of their accusers was completely thwarted. They had intended for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be killed, instead they are promoted.