Today is week 3 of a series of messages from the book of Daniel. We covered chapters 1 and 2 the previous 2 weeks and today we’ll cover chapter 3. Next week, I will likely have someone else preach and we’ll pick up chapter 4 the following week.

Chapter 1 is our introduction in who Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are and how the ended up in Babylon. We hear of their commitment to follow God even when it was not what was asked of them. God blessed them and promoted them. A theme of the first chapter is the sovereignty (all power-fullness) of God and the faithfulness of His people.

Last week, we read about the kings dream and how God revealed both the dream and the interpretation to Daniel. This was a complete answer to prayer. Daniel’s repeated praise of God, both privately and publically, were a central theme. Once again, God is sovereign and his people needed only to be faithful.

Daniel 3 - God is faithful to the faithful

Today, we are going to read one of the more popular stories in Daniel. One that is often recounted in Children’s church lessons all over the world. It is one of those fantastic displays of faith and miracles that we can’t help but to be encouraged by. Let’s read and I’ll pause every so often to point things out.

Daniel 3:1–6 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.”

(verse 1 - 90 feet tall and 9 feet wide)

The first question I had at this point is why is there a blazing furnace and why that method of punishment? First, they needed this furnace to forge all of the gold and other metal they needed to make this impressive statue. The furnace was likely dug out of the side of a hill and the chimney was at the same level as the ground on top of the hill and the lower part is where they would load the fuel and then using a pole would load the metal in a crucible for melting, or insert the metal for heating so they then could hammer it out. At this point to insight fear into the people of Babylon, the heat, smoke and flames were likely exiting out the top of the chimney....let’s keep reading

Daniel 3:7–12 NIV

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.”

The signal comes to bow down and like any conniving person would do, we have a few who were looking toward our friends, looking to see if they would bow. I think they knew what Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego would be doing, they just needed the proof to be able to accuse them. Notice they said to the king - “But there are some Jews...” There was no love for the Jewish people. In fact it was downright hate. This is still the case in many places all over the world. People who do not follow God are likely to hate Jewish people because they are God’s chosen people. They were even more angry because those three had been promoted. They couldn’t wait to catch them and then tell on them. Watch what the king does:

Daniel 3:13–15 NIV

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?”

The king could not be disobeyed. This act of defiance could not be tolerated, but the king liked these 3 and wanted to give them another chance…but...

Daniel 3:16–18 NIV

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.”

We are going to camp out here on these 3 verses a bit because they hold some very, very deep theological truths...

1. We do not ultimately answer to men, we answer to God.

Daniel 3:16 NIV

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.

At times, we certainly do answer to men in this world regarding worldly matters. Speed limits, work place policies, agreements with our spouse…and so on. These are matters we might have to defend ourselves before man, but in the matter of our object of worship, we answer to no man. We answer to God. Jesus said this:

Matthew 10:28 NIV

28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

When a man questions you and accuses you of something regarding your faith, you owe no apology or explanation other than: In this matter, I answer to God and not you.

2. God is able to do anything!

Daniel 3:17 NIV

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.

Nebuchadnezzar thought that no god was able because he had never seen anyone be delivered, but just because it’s never been done, it doesn’t mean that it can’t be.

Matthew 19:26 NIV

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

“With God, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!” The king didn’t know this…yet.

3. God will deliver us

Daniel 3:17 NIV

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.

Many who have faced a similar situation - deny God or die - have had this same confidence as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. This confidence is not in the here and now physical, it is in the eternal. As faithful followers of God, they knew their ultimate destiny is not a grave or a furnace, it is a heavenly destiny. Today our confidence in Jesus - that no matter happens on this earth, through the blood of Jesus, it has all been forgiven and we will be delivered from this painful place to heaven someday.

4. Even if not, we still worship God

Daniel 3:18 NIV

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.”

This is a decision we need to make now while the going is good. Sitting in a nice building in agreement with one another is the time to make up our mind who we will serve. Will we serve and worship money, power, other people or will we serve and worship the one true God through Jesus? We can’t wait until trouble to decide. It’s just like food…if we wait until we’re hungry to decide what we will allow ourselves to eat, our standard ends up pretty low and we make bad, very bad decisions when hungry. The same holds true for our object of worship. If we don’t make up our mind ahead of time, we will worship whatever everyone else is worshiping.

Let’s continue...

Daniel 3:19–23 NIV

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.

Heated as hot as it goes, the strongest guys tied them up and threw them in. Just to be sure we knew all aspects of the story, Daniel includes what the guys were wearing. This clothing was highly flammable is likely what the soldiers were wearing when they caught fire and died.

Daniel 3:24–25 NIV

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.”

I really like those movies where the bad guys gets shown up somehow by the good guys. There are times that I literally cheer and laugh out loud. If this were a movie this would be a scene where I would cheer.

Here is a prophecy from Isaiah:

Isaiah 43:2 NIV

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

A little side note…Jesus is in every single book of the Bible. In some books it is more obvious, and in others less so. As you read God’s Word, look for Jesus as you read. This verse here is one of those time. Jesus was standing in the midst of the fire with these three. This is known as a Christophany - an appearance of Christ before his incarnation.

Let’s finish up the rest:

Daniel 3:26–30 NIV

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.

The sovereignty of God at work again. God is able to do anything. Here He does the impossible. These three guys thrown into the fire and God shows up in their midst and saves them. Then when they come out, everyone gathers around - touches them, smells them, looks closely at them…what a sight that must have been.

Then God’s purpose is fulfilled in this situation. He is praised and his people in exile are protected.

This event and another from Daniel is referenced in Hebrews 11. Turn with me there if you have your Bible. Once you get there, you’ll notice many of the paragraphs start out “By faith...” Sometime people refer to this chapter as the hall of faith where many old testament events are recalled and told through the lens of faith. By faith they lived and we should too...By faith we have salvation through Jesus. Let’s read the first 2 verses first to get a definition of faith:

Hebrews 11:1–2 NIV

1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.

Confidence in hope.

Assurance in the unseen.

This is what those in the Old Testament had.

Now jump down to verse 32...

Hebrews 11:32–34 NIV

32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

A simple act of disobedience resulted in honor many, many years later when the writer of Hebrews was recounting great acts of faith. It may never come down to a fiery furnace for you or I, but are will willing to open our mouths in faith when the time comes. Will we praise, honor and worship Him amongst people who might laugh at us and ridicule us? I’m not asking about death here like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego faced. Oh how the world might change if we would just worship him even if it is inconvenient.

1. We do not ultimately answer to men, we answer to God.

2. God is able to do anything!

3. God will deliver us

4. Even if not, we still worship God