Daniel 3:1-30
“Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.” (Daniel 3:1)
Throughout history people have built monuments to call attention to themselves. These monuments tend to be scaled according to one’s financial resources, and have ranged from the tower of Babel and the pyramids to religious statues and tiny shrines and pictures. He had it overlaid with gold to make it really spectacular. After all, Daniel’s dream had shown him and the Babylonian kingdom as gold, and his dream may have been his inspiration.
Nebuchadnezzar built a statue that was about ninety feet tall and nine or ten feet wide, probably somewhat like some of the gigantic statues representing Christ found in many major cities. Tradition holds that the statue was to represent Nebuchadnezzar himself.
"Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.” (Daniel 3:2-3)
A monument doesn’t accomplish much if no one knows who built it or why. Nebuchadnezzar called all his leaders from all over the empire together to dedicate it. The bigger and more impressive the ceremony, the more people are likely to be impressed, and no political leader can afford to miss an opportunity to impress people.
“Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of music, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.” (Daniel 3:4-7)
Fire is one of the most important tools man has, preventing freezing, providing light, cooking food, enabling him to use metals and produce other forms of power. Unfortunately, it is also extremely dangerous if not handled carefully, Even a small spark can burn an entire home or forest. One of the ways of controlling a fire is by controlling the amount of fuel available to it because the fire will always burn all the fuel available and try to find more. Even in a furnace or stove designed to safely use fire, too much fuel makes the fire dangerous, overheating and damaging the fire box and venting system.
Without a certain amount of encouragement from others, a person will be reluctant to try things. Like the fire seeking all the fuel it can get, people tend to seek all the encouragement and approval they can get, and like the fire, if it receives too much encouragement and prestige, the ego grows and exceeds safe limits. It is why rulers and celebrities become obsessed with their own importance. Constitutions and legal systems are intended to provide a mechanism for regulating the amount of power and prestige a person gets to safe limits.
As the ruler of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar‘s success in conquering other countries and the people‘s adulation had built his ego to a dangerous point. Instead of recognizing his limitations, he decided to act as a god to the people, making them do what he wanted.
They were all to bow down before statue and worship it on his command. Failure to do so would result in ones being executed by being burned to death. The people were afraid to resist the royal command, including most of the Jews who had been brought from Judah, even though they knew they were violating God’s command.
“Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” (Daniel 3:8-12)
Out of all the thousands present, just three men dared oppose the king’s order. These were the three young men who had decided to follow Daniel’s example and obey God, even though it meant almost certain death. Their opposition would be viewed as an act of treason or terrorism, Sure enough some who were looking to curry favor with the king were quick to capitalize on the opportunity they refusal offered. They went straight to the king to report the three for their failure to bow.
“Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” (Daniel 3;14-15)
Like any out of control ego, Nebuchadnezzar never questioned his right to make such demands, or even to ask why they didn’t comply. He considered himself as quite magnanimous in giving them a second chance and warning that not even God could protect them if they disobeyed.
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18)
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego didn’t hesitate to make one of the greatest statements of faith found in the entire Bible. They told Nebuchadnezzar they believed God was able and would save them if he chose to. However, they were going to commit themselves to God, and obey him whether he chose to save them or not. They trusted God to do what was best, even if it wasn’t what they hoped for. Far too often people act in an attempt to make God do what they want.
“Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.” (Daniel 3:19-23)
Angered at their rejection of his offer of a second chance, Nebuchadnezzar decided to show them he wasn’t kidding. He ordered that the fire in the furnace be increased to seven times it’s usual size and the three to be thrown in alive. They were tied up and thrown in fully clothed, and the fire was so hot it killed the men who threw them in. Unable to save themselves, they fell in the furnace like a sack of garbage. Nebuchadnezzar stayed to make sure they died.
“Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?
They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.
He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” ( 3:24-25)
While the soldiers had died from just getting close to the fire, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were up walking around in the fire with the ropes burned off. Even more troubling, there was a fourth man in the fire with them, and he reminded Nebuchadnezzar of God. Obviously, the fire wasn’t worrying them.
“Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither.
Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.” (Daniel 3:26-27)
Convinced God wouldn’t allow the fire to hurt them, Nebuchadnezzar got as close to the fire as he dared and called the three out. While the fire had gotten close enough to burn off their ropes, there were no scorch marks on their clothes, their hair was not singed, and there wasn’t even a smell of smoke on them. Clearly, God was more powerful than Nebuchadnezzar.
“Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.” (Daniel 3:28-29)
In Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar had recognized God as a God of gods. Now he recognizes him as far more powerful than himself, and a God who cares for his people. He then decreed that no one was to speak disparagingly of God, because he was more powerful than any so called god.
“Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.” (Daniel 3:30)
That Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would hold so staunchly to their moral standard impressed Nebuchadnezzar, because everyone else caved. He promoted them as men who could be trusted even when everything was against them.
“Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.” (Daniel 3:1)
Throughout history people have built monuments to call attention to themselves. These monuments tend to be scaled according to one’s financial resources, and have ranged from the tower of Babel and the pyramids to religious statues and tiny shrines and pictures. He had it overlaid with gold to make it really spectacular. After all, Daniel’s dream had shown him and the Babylonian kingdom as gold, and his dream may have been his inspiration.
Nebuchadnezzar built a statue that was about ninety feet tall and nine or ten feet wide, probably somewhat like some of the gigantic statues representing Christ found in many major cities. Tradition holds that the statue was to represent Nebuchadnezzar himself.
"Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.” (Daniel 3:2-3)
A monument doesn’t accomplish much if no one knows who built it or why. Nebuchadnezzar called all his leaders from all over the empire together to dedicate it. The bigger and more impressive the ceremony, the more people are likely to be impressed, and no political leader can afford to miss an opportunity to impress people.
“Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of music, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.” (Daniel 3:4-7)
Fire is one of the most important tools man has, preventing freezing, providing light, cooking food, enabling him to use metals and produce other forms of power. Unfortunately, it is also extremely dangerous if not handled carefully, Even a small spark can burn an entire home or forest. One of the ways of controlling a fire is by controlling the amount of fuel available to it because the fire will always burn all the fuel available and try to find more. Even in a furnace or stove designed to safely use fire, too much fuel makes the fire dangerous, overheating and damaging the fire box and venting system.
Without a certain amount of encouragement from others, a person will be reluctant to try things. Like the fire seeking all the fuel it can get, people tend to seek all the encouragement and approval they can get, and like the fire, if it receives too much encouragement and prestige, the ego grows and exceeds safe limits. It is why rulers and celebrities become obsessed with their own importance. Constitutions and legal systems are intended to provide a mechanism for regulating the amount of power and prestige a person gets to safe limits.
As the ruler of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar‘s success in conquering other countries and the people‘s adulation had built his ego to a dangerous point. Instead of recognizing his limitations, he decided to act as a god to the people, making them do what he wanted.
They were all to bow down before statue and worship it on his command. Failure to do so would result in ones being executed by being burned to death. The people were afraid to resist the royal command, including most of the Jews who had been brought from Judah, even though they knew they were violating God’s command.
“Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” (Daniel 3:8-12)
Out of all the thousands present, just three men dared oppose the king’s order. These were the three young men who had decided to follow Daniel’s example and obey God, even though it meant almost certain death. Their opposition would be viewed as an act of treason or terrorism, Sure enough some who were looking to curry favor with the king were quick to capitalize on the opportunity they refusal offered. They went straight to the king to report the three for their failure to bow.
“Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” (Daniel 3;14-15)
Like any out of control ego, Nebuchadnezzar never questioned his right to make such demands, or even to ask why they didn’t comply. He considered himself as quite magnanimous in giving them a second chance and warning that not even God could protect them if they disobeyed.
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18)
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego didn’t hesitate to make one of the greatest statements of faith found in the entire Bible. They told Nebuchadnezzar they believed God was able and would save them if he chose to. However, they were going to commit themselves to God, and obey him whether he chose to save them or not. They trusted God to do what was best, even if it wasn’t what they hoped for. Far too often people act in an attempt to make God do what they want.
“Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.” (Daniel 3:19-23)
Angered at their rejection of his offer of a second chance, Nebuchadnezzar decided to show them he wasn’t kidding. He ordered that the fire in the furnace be increased to seven times it’s usual size and the three to be thrown in alive. They were tied up and thrown in fully clothed, and the fire was so hot it killed the men who threw them in. Unable to save themselves, they fell in the furnace like a sack of garbage. Nebuchadnezzar stayed to make sure they died.
“Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?
They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.
He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” ( 3:24-25)
While the soldiers had died from just getting close to the fire, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were up walking around in the fire with the ropes burned off. Even more troubling, there was a fourth man in the fire with them, and he reminded Nebuchadnezzar of God. Obviously, the fire wasn’t worrying them.
“Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither.
Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.” (Daniel 3:26-27)
Convinced God wouldn’t allow the fire to hurt them, Nebuchadnezzar got as close to the fire as he dared and called the three out. While the fire had gotten close enough to burn off their ropes, there were no scorch marks on their clothes, their hair was not singed, and there wasn’t even a smell of smoke on them. Clearly, God was more powerful than Nebuchadnezzar.
“Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.” (Daniel 3:28-29)
In Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar had recognized God as a God of gods. Now he recognizes him as far more powerful than himself, and a God who cares for his people. He then decreed that no one was to speak disparagingly of God, because he was more powerful than any so called god.
“Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.” (Daniel 3:30)
That Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would hold so staunchly to their moral standard impressed Nebuchadnezzar, because everyone else caved. He promoted them as men who could be trusted even when everything was against them.
Dear Donald,
ReplyDeleteDuring this episode of the three in the fiery furnace, I wonder where the prophet Daniel was or what he was doing.
I doubt very much that Daniel bowed to the golden statue.
God bless.
Dear Frank,
DeleteI agree, that Daniel would not have bowed to the statue. I have to assume that due to his duties as the adviser to the king he was away on business, perhaps filling in some of those who had been called to Babylon for the dedication.