DANIEL 3: 13 - 23

DANIEL 3: 13 - 23

   (13) 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?  (15) 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?"

   (16) 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.  (18) 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."



   (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.

Daniel 3: 12-23 (NIV)

LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE COMMENTARY

   3:13 Nebuchadnezzar had lost control.  How could anyone dare to disobey his commands?  As the supreme ruler of Babylonia, he expected absolute obedience.  But his pride had caused him to go beyond his own authority.  His demands were unjust and his reactions extreme.  If you find yourself angered when people don't follow your directions, ask yourself, "Why am I reacting?"  Your ego may be overly involved with your authority.

   3:15 The three men were given one more chance.  Here are eight excuses they could have used to bow to the image and save their lives: (1) We will fall down but not actually worship the idol (2)We won't become idol worshipers, but will worship it this one time, and then ask God for forgiveness. (3) The king has absolute power, and we must obey him.  God will understand. (4) The king appointed us--we owe this to him. (5) This is a foreign land, so God will excuse us for following the customs of the land. (6) Our ancestors set up idols in God's temple! (7)We're not hurting anybody. (8) If we get ourselves killed and some pagans take our high positions, they won't help our people in exile!

   3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were pressured to deny God, but they chose to be faithful to Him no matter what happened!  They trusted God to deliver them, but they were determined to be faithful regardless of the consequences.  If God always rescued those who were true to him, Christians would not need faith.  Their religion would be a great insurance policy, and there would be lines of selfish people ready to sign up.  We should be faithful to serve God whether He intervenes on our behalf or not.  Our eternal reward is worth any suffering we may have to endure first.

   3:19 "His attitude toward them changed."  When we do something that offends non-Christians, their attitude toward us often changes because they are basically selfish.  Christians should be different, they should still love those who offend them.

MY THOUGHTS

   I am sorry, but as I study King Nebuchadnezzar, all I can see is President Obama: furious when he doesn't get his way, persecuting Christians, punishing those who stand up to him rather than bow down.  I will not fall down and worship him, even if my God will not keep me from "the fiery furnace".  Oh, that my God would condition his heart, give him ears that hear, and eyes that see.  How can the leader of the free world find so many "wise men, enchanter, magician, and diviners" to serve in positions of power and no disciple of Jesus Christ!

   Also, as I read this part of the Book of Daniel, I "hear" Dr. James MacArthur saying, "O king, live forever!"  I used to listen Walk in the Word on the radio.  He is still broadcasting....great expositor preacher.

What are your thoughts?  You are invited to leave a comment.