“REFUSING TO COMPROMISE.” DANIEL 3: 1-28.
DANIEL 3: 1-6, 13-15, 16-18, 21-23, 24-25, 26-30
PLEASE OPEN YOUR BIBLE TO DANIEL 3.
The Book is named after the author. The Prophet Daniel was born into an unidentified family of Judean nobility at the time of Josiah’s reformation in 621 BC; for he was among the select, youthful hostages of the first Jewish deportation taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in 605 B.C., the third year of King Jehoiakim, King of Jerusalem.
For three years Daniel was trained in all the wisdom of the Chaldeans. God rewarded Daniel and his companions with unsurpassed learning, qualifying them as official “wise men”. Upon Daniel, moreover, He bestowed the gift of visions and interpreting dreams.
In Daniel 2 Nebuchadnezzar had a dream. When the wise men could not tell the king what he had dreamed he commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be killed. Daniel was able in Daniel 2:31-35 to tell the king the contents of his dream. In vs. 36-45 Daniel interpreted the dream. As a result Daniel was promoted to ruler or governor of the whole province of Babylon and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon. In Daniel 2:49 Daniel set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego over the affairs of the province of Babylon while he sat in the king’s court at the gate of the city in the place of authority.
PLEASE READ DANIEL 3: 1-6.
Nebuchadnezzar, the king was the absolute monarch of the most powerful nation of his day. After Daniel had pointed out that the images head in the king’s dream in Daniel 2:32 was of fine gold, meant in vs. 37 that he was a king of Kings as blessed by the God of heaven. Vs. 38 says, “You are this head of gold.”
Probably from this interpretation of his dream Nebuchadnezzar was lead to build a huge gold figure rising 90 ft. high (roughly the height of an eight story building) above the ground and measuring 9 ft. wide.
Commentators disagree whether the sculpture was made of solid gold or was overlaid with gold. Either way, the sight of that huge figure glistening in the sun must have been awesome. We do not know for sure what the image represented, but most scholars think it resembled a human form. The idea for the statue may have come from the king’s vision in Ch. 2.
After the statue was completed, the king commanded all his government leaders to attend the dedication. Seven categories of leaders are listed: Probably from the greatest to the least. All these dignitaries were summoned to the place where the statue stood. The plains around the town of Dura, the location site, cannot be positively identified, but it probably was about 16 miles south of Babylon.
Vs. 3 gives the impression that the dignitaries stood there awaiting their next instruction. In vs. 4 & 5 a herald of the king gave instructions concerning the procedure to be followed in the dedication. At the sound of the musical instruments, these dignitaries were to fall down and worship the image. Many different nationalities (people of every nation and language) were present, reflecting Nebuchadnezzar’s tendency to appoint nationals to govern wherever possible.
Another crucial group that took part in the dedication of the image: These were the musicians who made up the band or orchestra. The list of musical instruments in vs. 5 indicates the sophisticated cultural level attained by the ancient Babylonians. The long list of musical instruments included various kinds of instruments. The list was only some of the instruments, for the orchestra included all kinds of music. Some of the instruments can be identified, but we cannot be sure about others.
The role of the musicians was to make a sound (probably to perform some appropriate song) that signaled everyone to fall down and worship the golden image. This worship was intended to be the central part of the dedication.
Nebuchadnezzar was unwilling to trust positive motivation to achieve this worship. He knew that many of the officials were from lands that had their own gods. Therefore, he added some negative motivation. The officials were told that anyone who refused would be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. This execution would be within the hour. The furnace was heated and ready if needed.
In vs. 5 a herald of the king gave instructions concerning the procedure to be followed in the dedication. At the sound of the musical instruments, these dignitaries were to fall down and worship the image.
What did the image represent? Some Bible students think it was a likeness of Nebuchadnezzar. Many ancient rulers had such inflated egos that they considered themselves divine. Vs. 12, however, refers to Nebuchadnezzar’s gods. The golden image probably represented Bel-Marduk, the leading god.
Since no specific god is mentioned, it may be inferred that Nebuchadnezzar was not honoring one of the gods of Babylon, but rather was instituting a new form of religious worship with the image as its center. Nebuchadnezzar purposed to establish a unified government and also a unified religion. The king constituted himself as both head of state and head of religion. All who served under him were to recognize both his political and religious authority. This is exactly the pattern the antichrist will follow when he becomes the authority of the world.
The officials summoned by Nebuchadnezzar to assemble in the plains of Dura had not been told why they were called. So the officials’ act of obedience signified submission not only by the officials themselves, but also by those people they ruled.
What was Nebuchadnezzar’s purpose in imposing on all his officials the worship of his god? First, it was a way to signify that the gods of Babylon were more powerful than the gods of the nations whom the Babylonians had conquered. In those days each nation had its own god of gods. Victory by one nation over another was assumed to mean that the conqueror’s god was superior. Nebuchadnezzar wanted people of all nations and religions to honor his god as superior. Second, it was a way to create unity in the vast empire. Loyalty to Babylon’s gods would bind diverse people together. Thus the purpose was political as well as religious. Third, it was a test of the officials in the empire. The king wanted to locate and destroy any official who was unwilling to give total allegiance to Babylon.
When Daniel and his three friends were taken to Babylon, they were placed in a culture different from their own. Daniel 1 shows that they were expected to learn the language and literature of Babylon, to accept Babylonian names, and to partake of the kind of food and wine served at the king’s table. The four young Jews did the first two of these, but Daniel refused the food and wine, which he felt had been offered to idols. His friends followed his example. Now Shadrach, Meshasch, and Abednego faced a graver challenge. They could accept some of the new culture, but could they fall down and worship a golden image?
Their situation was like the situation of Christians in this world today. We are citizens of God’s invisible kingdom, but we live in a world whose standards often conflict with God’s standards. At times, therefore, as Christians we find ourselves in situations that pressure us to conform to the world’s expectations. Sometimes these are dangerous, hostile circumstances. In some parts of the world, life or death is at stake. In our land, the fiery furnace may be ridicule, unemployment, demotion, and so forth.
Most students expect to have tests—some scheduled and some “pop quizzes.” Wise students prepare for times of testing. Christians should expect and prepare for life’s tests. Christians who prepare for tests are like wise students who are ready when the tests come. Christians who face life’s tests unprepared are like foolish students who fail the tests.
Does God let us be tested? YES! In order to strengthen our faith. God never tempts us with evil; and He will never let us be tempted beyond our ability to withstand the temptation. He will always afford an avenue of escape.
In vs. 6 the furnace was widely used in Babylon for making bricks. Temperatures could reach 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. One can imagine the fear that came to the minds of the government officials. For anyone who did not wish to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image, the heat was on in more ways than one!
At first glance, we may think that there is not much here that applies to us. After all, we live in a country where we can worship without fear. But consider two matters: (1) while we are free to worship as we choose, we are often tempted to compromise and fall down before other gods all around us. (2) We need to remember to pray for our brothers and sisters around the world who are facing death every day for standing for God.
Many Christians are being persecuted for their faith right now as we sit in the comfort of our homes or churches and study the Bible openly and freely. We need to pray daily that God will protect those believers who are threatened.
Notice in vs. 7, Overwhelmed by the king’s command, the awesomeness of the image, and the sound of the music, the assembled officials fell down and worshiped the image of gold. In this way the officials and the peoples they represented recognized the political and religious authority of Nebuchadnezzar.
In vs. 8-12 no indication is given of the size of the multitude that assembled on this occasion. But because it included all the kingdoms officials it must have been huge.
Nebuchadnezzar had set some Jews over the affairs of the province of Babylon. Some court advisors were quick to bring accusations against the Jews. The accusers were evidently motivated by jealousy for in vs. 12 they referred to the fact that “Nebuchadnezzar had set some Jews over the affairs of the province of Babylon.” The high positions of “some Jews” were resented.
The counselors evidently sought to curry favor from the king by contrasting the three Jews’ refusal to bow to the image with their own worship of it. Interestingly, they accused Daniel’s three friends---Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—but not Daniel.
PLEASE READ DANIEL 3: 13-15.
The way Daniel and his friends rapidly rose to power provoked many in the Babylonia Empire to extreme jealousy. We know from Daniel 6: 1-9 that this jealousy drove some officials to influence the then King Darius to issue an edict forbidding the worship of any god except Darious (emperor worship was prevalent in those days.) Perhaps that same envy prompted this command from Nebuchadnezar at the gold statue. Whether this was the case or not, the enemies of the Jews did not have to wait long for the king’s directive to be violated. They saw an opportunity to be rid of these three men with the king’s consent.
Vs. 7-12 provide a bridge between vs. 6 and 13 when the music sounded all seemed to bow down. According to these verses the king himself did not see the men violate his edict. In the crowd that large, it would not be unusual for the king to miss them.
But some Chaldean astrologers quickly reported the rebellion and exposed three valiant young men; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who had been introduced in Ch. 1 along with Daniel.
It is unfortunate that these are the names by which we remember them because these are pagan names given to them by the Babylonians. Their Hebrew names were Hananiah (“Yahweh is gracious”). Mishael (“Who is like God?”), and Azariah (“Yahweh will help”).
Just as the Babylonians did with these men, the world today will always tempt us to change our names and our behavior from Christian (“one like Christ”) to one that conforms to the paganism around us.
When the king learned that someone had dared disobey his orders he went into a furious rage. In Hebrew this literally reads “in fury and in rage,” a figure of speech signifying extreme anger. He gave orders that the perpetrators be brought before him. In vs. 12 the accusers brought three charges against the three: (1) they had ignored the king’s command: (2) they did not serve the king’s gods: (3) they refused to worship the image of gold.
The king did not send them right away to the furnace. He wanted to hear from their own lips whether they had deliberately refused to worship the statue. For some reason he gave them a second chance to comply and then reminded them of the penalty if they did not obey. He even offered to have the orchestra play again just for their benefit. His patience with them was probably due to two facts. (1) they were Daniel’s friends; and (2) they had given him no reason to doubt their loyalty in the past. He gave them the benefit of the doubt by inquiring whether they had misunderstood the order. Then he repeated the herald’s words verbatim.
He could not imagine that they would disobey. If they did, death was certain, for he boasted that no god could rescue you from my power. The king could conceive of no power greater than what he himself or his god exercised. After all, these were slaves whom he had elevated. As far as he was concerned, he was their lord and benefactor; how could they dispute him?
PLEASE READ DANIEL 3: 16-18.
The brave young men replied to the king, “ Nebuchadnezzer, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question.” They did not ask for an exception, they did not offer an alibi, and they did not claim ignorance. In other words they admitted their guilt. Their words meant, “We don’t have to reconsider this, or spend time talking about it. We already have our answer.” How could they respond so readily, even in the face of death. For one thing, these three had been brought up to respect and obey the Ten Commandments. Also, the kings’ orders violated the first two of those Commandments. God has clearly commanded that we are to have no other gods before Him and we are not to worship any graven image.
Their boldness must have shocked the king. He was not used to being addressed in this way. There they stood as if they had just risen from their closets of prayer, simply and confidently avowing their faithfulness to God. They continued: “If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire.” Their words should not be understood as harboring an element of doubt. The Hebrew construction could read, “As surely as our God exists.”
They had no doubt that God was able to deliver them from the king’s consequences. What is more, they were confident that their God was greater than this earthly king. He can rescue us from the power of you the king.
These three men of faith were unwavering even before the most feared ruler of their day. Their names are recited 13 times in this chapter, like a refrain of a victory song that recounts mighty deeds of valor. Their faith was in the ability of God to do as He pleases, but note that they did not try to dictate to His will.
These three men believed that God could deliver them from the penalty decreed by the king but they also, in vs. 18, considered the possibility that God might choose not to do so.
Their faith as expressed in vs. 17 illustrates one aspect of biblical faith---confidence that God will hear and answer our prayers. But this aspect of faith must be accompanied with the kind of trust in vs.18. The key words are but if not. They knew God could and believed He would deliver them, but they made no demands on God. They had faith in God’s power, but they also trusted His goodness and wisdom. They knew God acts according to His sovereign will, and they trusted that His will is best.
This is real faith, Faith manifests itself by a willing submission to whatever God allows to happen. In life or in death, these three men would trust Him. We have a lot of preachers and teachers today who insist that real faith is “getting what you want from God.” They talk about Him as if He is a cosmic vending machine: “Just put in 50 cents worth of faith and get 50 cents worth of blessing. Put in $10,000, worth of faith and ….” Biblical faith is what these three men exhibited. We believe our God can deliver us, but He may choose to get greater glory by not delivering us from trouble. If He delivers us, we will trust Him. If He does not deliver us, we will still trust Him. That takes a kind of faith only God can give.
Throughout history many people have exhibited similar faith and courage in hostile circumstances. In some cases God has miraculously delivered His people from immediate death at the hands of evil people. In other cases, the evil people killed people of faith. But even in death, believers are victorious over death.
PLEASE READ DANIEL 3: 21-23.
Nebuchadnezzar had been angry before, but after the Hebrews’ defiant words, he was livid with rage. He ordered that the furnace be heated seven times more than usual. Then he told his soldiers, certain mighty men of valor, to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the furnace. They were bound fully clothed and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Perhaps they were thrown in fully clothes because the intent was for the garments to catch on fire immediately, forming a horrible spectacle. The flames were so hot that the men who threw them into the furnace died immediately.
The normal use for such furnaces was for smelting ore and firing bricks. The furnace probably was shaped like and old-fashioned milk bottle. The ore was inserted in the large opening at the top. Near the bottom was a smaller opening for inserting wood and charcoal to heat the furnace. The air flowing through ventilation holes in the base and quickly moving up toward the mouth was extremely powerful, forcing the extreme heat out the top like a blow-torch.
This was probably a large furnace built on a hillside so the ore could be dumped into it. The three victims were thrown into the top. Vs. 23 says they fell down bound. Nebuchadnezzar viewed the interior from the lower opening.
PLEASE READ DANIEL 3: 24-25.
Evidently Nebuchadnezzar was sitting near the furnace looking into the fire through an opening at the bottom. Apparently he had been sitting or reclining to enjoy this spectacle. He expected to see three bodies come crashing down to the floor, already engulfed in flames. Imagine his shock and surprise when he saw four men, not tied, walking around in the fire unharmed. He jumped up in alarm to get a closer look and to make sure his eyes were not deceiving him. He was so stunned that he asked his advisers to verify his memory: did he not order three men to be tied up and thrown into the fire?
Nebuchadnezzar was astonished to see not only that the three were not harmed, but that there was also a fourth figure with them. He reported that the fourth looks like a son of the gods (a divine being). Whoever the fourth figure was, the king understood him at least to be a supernatural messenger from God, who protected these Jewish men in the midst of their trouble.
Both “a son of the gods” or “the Son of God” are possible translations of the Aramaic. Some scholars believe this was an angel whom God sent to minister to the Jewish young men in the midst of their trouble.
Other scholars believe this was a Christophany, an O.T. appearance of God’s Son in human form. The King James Version reflects this interpretation with its reading “the Son of God.’ If this is the case, it is not unprecedented in the O.T. Many believe that the person in Gen. 18 is the Lord in human form as a guest in Abraham’s home. In Joshua 5, the Lord revealed Himself to Joshua as captain of the hosts of Israel. Thus, it is very possible that Daniel 3 contains another Christophany.
Both interpretations are acceptable and can be supported from other Scriptures. Heb. 1:14 says that God sends His angels as ministering spirits to serve us. Also, God promises in Isaiah 41:10 that He will be with us, and His hand will protect us. Either way, we have God’s loving promise of care during the “fiery trials’ of life
PLEASE READ DANIEL 3: 26-30.
Nebuchadnezzar approached as near as he dared to the opening of the furnace so that his command could be heard. He ordered the three to come out of the furnace and to approach him. In giving this order he called them “servants of the Most High God.” thus he recognized that the God these three faithfully served is truly God.
This was a remarkable admission by Nebuchadnezzar. Up to then he had believed his Babylonian gods wee superior to Yahweh (though in Dan. 2:47 he had once acknowledged (the greatness of Yahweh). After all he had taken captives from Judah and vessels from the Jew’s temple. But in vs. 29 his gods could not deliver anyone alive from a furnace.
As the three had predicted, their God (Yahweh) was able to deliver them from the furnace. Though the king recognized the unusual nature of Yahweh he did not acknowledge Him as his God.
We are not to understand the kings’ words in vs. 28 as an expression of his faith in Israel’s God. Remember, he declared similar words in Ch. 2, but his subsequent actions in Ch. 3 certainly do not indicate a change of heart. At most, his words here meant that he was willing to add Israel’s God to his pantheon of gods. He was impressed with these young men and their faith in their God. They were willing to give up their lives if necessary in order to be faithful.
The king was moved by the devotion of the three to their God, even though it entailed their disobeying the king and jeopardizing their own lives.
As a result, the king decreed that the God of these young men was to be held in honor and that anyone who dishonored this God would lose his life and his house.
The king honored Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego by promoting them to positions of greater honor, and power in the kingdom.
In the forthcoming Tribulation period God will do for His believing remnant what He did for Daniel’s three companions. We must have courage to stand for our faith without compromising.
NEXT SUNDAY QUEEN ESTHER SHOWS THAT GOD GIVES HIS PEOPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO STAND FOR HIM THAT CALL FOR DECISIVE ACTION.
A.V. DAUGHERTY altav@swbell.net http://theweeks.org/av/ 3-21-04