Another in the Fire

Introduction

Today we are continuing our study in the book of Daniel. Last week we saw that in the second year of King Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Daniel told the king what his dream was and interpreted it for him.

In return, we read that the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. (3:48).

The problem we have is that chapter 3 has no time marker to let us know how long passed between and 2.

It is amazing, that Nebuchadnezzar forgot about Daniel’s God. He also forgot what he had said about Daniel’s God. In verse 47 we read: “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and the revealer of mysteries. . .”

When we come to chapter 3, Nebuchadnezzar had forgotten about God.

Daniel 3:1–3 NIV84

King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 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. 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.

Daniel 3:1-

Now the first question is when did this happen? In studying this passage it seems most likely that this event happened fairly early in Nebuchadnezzar’s tenure as king. It seems that it was probably used to instill loyalty and unity to the kingdom.

If this timeline is accurate, it is very possible that the entire story was to see who was truly loyal to Nebuchadnezzar.

The Image

So king Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold. Look at what we know about this image:

The Image

First it was 90 feet high and 9 feet wide.

It was set up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. The name Dura was common place in Mesopotamia and it meant a place enclosed by mountains or walls. Archaeologist have uncovered a large square made of bricks about six miles southeast of the city of Babylon. Many believe it was the base of Nebuchadnezzar’s stature.

While we don’t know what the statue looked like. Some believe it was actually of Nebuchadnezzar. Others believe it may have been a golden model of the statue he saw in his dream. Scholars like, Charles Dyer, and Dwight Pentecost have suggested that it was most likely a statue of his god, Nebo.

In the day, the statue would have most likely been made of wood that was then covered with gold (cf ; ; ).

The Invitees

In verse 2, we read, that he summoned all of the leaders in his land. This included:

Satraps—the highest political leaders of each province.

Prefects—princes or military chiefs.

Governors—captains or heads of sections of provinces.

Advisers—the highest ranking judge in the land.

Treasurers—the money handlers.

Judges—secondary judges.

Magistrates—the sheriffs of the provinces.

Other Rulers—any other leader or administrator.

The Event

So Nebuchadnezzar set up the statue and had all of the ruling administrators attend the dedication of the statue.

Daniel 3:4–7 NIV84

Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “This is what you are commanded to do, O peoples, nations and men of every language: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

Daniel 3:4-

The Proclamation

The Proclamation

Nebuchadnezzar gave a decree that EVERYONE—O peoples, nations and men of every language. Bow to the image. They were to bow when they heard the sound of the musical instruments make all kinds of music.

Horn—brass trumpets.

Flute—a reed instruments.

Zither, lyre, and harp—stringed instruments.

This was a culture that loved music and musical instruments. They were in fact, the signal for people to fall down and worship the image of gold.

Anyone who refused would be thrown into a blazing furnace. Some have suggested that this fact makes the story allegorical. However, there are extra-biblical texts that include this kind of death. Plus, archaeologist have found great brick kilns outside the city of Babylon that would have been used in making the bricks used for Nebuchadnezzar’s great building projects.

The Administrators’ Response

In verse 7 we see everyone’s response. “As soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nation and men of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold. . .”

Daniel 3:8-12

Daniel 3:8–12 NIV84

At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! You have issued a decree, O king, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 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, O king. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”

The Accusation

The Accusation

The Accusers

Before we get into the actual accusation, we need to look at the accusers. The text calls them astrologers. This word is also translated “Chaldeans.” These men were leaders in the province of Babylon and had most likely been placed under Hananiah, Misheal, Azariah when they were promoted at Daniel’s request (2:49). Thus they had a lot to gain from accusing the three.

They came forward and denounced the Jews.

The Accusation

First, they pay their respects to the King.

Then they remind Nebuchadnezzar of his decree.

Finally they accuse some Jews. This is used as a derogatory name for God’s people.

Their accusation also accused the king. The Jews that you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon.

The Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—(1) Pay no attention to you. (2) The don’t serve your gods. (3) And they don’t worship the image of gold.

They are committing treason. For Nebuchadnezzar this is three strikes against the three Jews.

Question: Where is Daniel?

Possible Answers:

(1) He wasn’t present for the ceremony. Some believe he was gone on the kings business or perhaps ill.

(2) Perhaps he bowed. This doesn’t seem probably considering , “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself . . .”

(3) Perhaps he was in such a high position that he wasn’t required to bow to the image.

(4) His exalted position, and his proven loyalty made him exempt from the ceremony.

REMEMBER—God doesn’t test His children in the same way.

Nebuchadnezzar’s Reaction

Daniel 3:13–15 NIV84

Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 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? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes 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?”

Daniel 3:13-

(1) He was furious with rage. Those he had placed in a trusted position had refused to show allegiance to him. To him it was the same as committing treason!

(2) He was furious because they did not worship his gods—thus they could no longer be trusted.

(3) Finally, he was furious because they had defied his order to bow to the golden statue.

Nevertheless, he gave them on last opportunity to comply with his order, and Nebuchadnezzar made sure that they knew the consequence of disobedience— “If you do not worship it, you will be thrown in immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

Isn’t it interesting that Nebuchadnezzar had seen the mighty hand of God; he had seen God work, but now he doesn’t believe God can rescue Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from him or his furnace.

NOTE: It is interesting that many people today believe the Bible is the inspired word of God. They believe God did preformed the miracles recorded in the Bible. BUT they don’t believe God can rescue them!

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s Response

Daniel 3:16–18 NIV84

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Daniel 3:16-

(1) We do not need to defend ourselves before you.

(2) If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it.

(3) The God we serve will rescue us from your hand.

(4) Even if he does not save us, we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold!

The King’s Order

Daniel 3:19–23 NIV84

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 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 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, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.

The king was even more mad!

Ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual

Commanded the strongest soldiers to tie the three up.

These soldiers were to then throw them into the blazing furnace.

The three men were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace with their robes, trousers, turbans, and other clothes still on (this will become important shortly).

NOTE: The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers that threw the three into the furnace.

There was no possible escape!

Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!

Daniel 3:24–27 NIV84

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, O king.” 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.” 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, 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.

Daniel 3:24-

The king is surprised. He leaped to his feet in amazement. He had three men thrown in and now there were four.

He made sure there wasn’t a mix up. Everyone agreed that they threw three in not four.

“Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

Question: Who is the fourth man? Some believe it was an angel, while others believe it is a preincarnate appearance of Jesus. I tend to pick the latter one.

So he approaches the opening and calls to them with some sense of fear.

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” Notice how the king refers to their God—the Most High God.

Daniel 3:26-

Daniel 3:26–27 NIV84

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, 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.

So the three come out of the fire.

All of the officials—satraps, prefects, governors, and royal advisors—crowded around the three.

They all saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies.

The fire had not singed their hair.

Their robes were not scorched.

And there was NO smell of fire on them.

It was like they were never in the fire at all!

Nebuchadnezzar’s Praise

Daniel 3:28–29 NIV84

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. 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.”

Daniel 3:28-29

Nebuchadnezzar Praises God

Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

Because God sent His angels to rescue His servants.

Because they trusted Him and defied the king’s command. Because they were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god but their own God.

The King’s New Decree

The people of any nation or language who says anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses turned into piles of rubble.

For no other god can save in this way.

The Rest of the Story

Daniel 3:30 NIV84

Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

Conclusion

Today the media would have us believe we are in a pandemic. Danger lurks all around us.

We are told to believe the media and buy into the pandemic. There is no doubt that some in our country are facing a virus that could take their life. But as believers we do not need to be afraid!

2 Timothy 1:17 NIV84

On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me.

2 Timothy

2 Timothy 1:7 NIV84

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Romans 8:15 NIV84

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

Romans

Our response should be one of prayer. The President of our Nation has set this day aside and asked us to pray. Pray for those in our country that are facing this virus. Pray for our leadership that they might have wisdom in how to handle this crisis. Pray for our media that they might spread truth and not fear. And pray for us that we might have a boldness to share God’s love with everyone around us!

So as we close today, I want to call us into a time of prayer. I’m going to ask that you join me here at the alter to pray.