Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
Emotion Tone
Anger
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Disgust
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Fear
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Joy
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Sadness
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Language Tone
Analytical
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Confident
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Tentative
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Social Tone
Openness
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Conscientiousness
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Extraversion
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Agreeableness
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Emotional Range
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Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
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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 ()
A. The statue was massive: 90 feet high and 9 feet wide.
(3:1)
B. The statue was setup in the plain of Dura.
(3:1)
<show map>
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)
D. They are instructed that they must worship the statue or be killed (3:4-7)
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 ()
A. Some of the native government official took the opportunity to point out the disobedience of the 3 Jewish advisors (3:8-12)
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 ()
A. Nebuchadnezzar is furious at the report.
(3:13)
B. Nebuchadnezzar gave them another opportunity to prove their allegiance to him (3:14-15)
C. Nebuchadnezzar reminds them of the penalty.
(3:15)
D. Nebuchadnezzar challenged the power of God.
(3:15)
E. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stand their ground.
(3:16-18)
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 ()
A. The king is enraged at the response of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (3:19-20)
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)
B. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown, bound and fully clothed into the fire (3:21-23)
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)
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)
E. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were completely untouched by the fire (3:27)
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 ()
A. Nebuchadnezzar is moved from anger to worship (3:28)
B. Nebuchadnezzar decreed that nothing offensive be said about God under penalty of death (3:29)
C. Nebuchadnezzar rewarded Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (3:30)
The intentions of their accusers was completely thwarted.
They had intended for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be killed, instead they are promoted.
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