Sunday, January 14, 2018 Lesson: Daniel 3:19-28; Time of Action: 587 B.C.; Place of Action: Babylon Golden Text: 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 (Daniel 3:28). I. INTRODUCTION. It s easy to profess faith in God when it costs us little or nothing to do so. It s a different matter when our testimony of faith puts us in life threatening situations. Through the centuries, many stories of faith have been written in martyrs blood. The young men in this week s lesson had to choose between disobedience to God, and the fiery furnace. They bravely chose to trust God to do what He deemed best. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are sterling examples of unwavering and bold faith.
II. LESSON BACKGROUND. After the death of king Solomon, Israel split into two separate nations. As a result of their disobedience, the northern kingdom, called Israel, fell to the Assyrians in 722 B.C. Over a century later, the southern kingdom, which didn t learn anything from the fall of the northern kingdom, fell to the Babylonians in 586 B.C. However, before the actual destruction of Jerusalem, captives were taken in 605 and 597 B.C. Daniel was among the best and the brightest of the Jews taken in the first deportation (see Daniel 1:3-4). At some point, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and some other young men, were chosen to undergo a three year training period designed to train them in Chaldean (Babylonian) literature, so that they might be fit to serve the king (see Daniel 1:3-7). But these four chosen young men refused to eat the portion of the king s food prepared for them. So they asked Melzar who was placed in charge of them to let them eat only pulse (vegetables) and water for ten days. After hearing Daniel s request, Melzar allowed them to eat only pulse and water, and found that after ten days these four young men looked better and healthier than the others who had eaten the king s food. As a result, Melzar continued to let them to eat the pulse (see Daniel 1:8-16). In the meantime, God blessed the four Hebrew boys with knowledge, wisdom and skill in all learning and wisdom. And Daniel was blessed to understand all visions and dreams. After the three year training period, the king called for all the young men to appear before him to determine which ones would serve him. The king saw that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were better
nourished than the others. These were their Hebrew names. Daniel was given the Babylonian name Belteshazzar, Hananiah was given the name Shadrach, Mishael was given the name Meshach and Azariah was named Abednego (see Daniel 1:7). After the king talked with Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, he determined that they were ten times better in wisdom and understanding than all the magicians and astrologers in the king s realm (see Daniel 1:17-21). In chapter 2, Nebuchadnezzar had a dream which he had forgotten, and he commanded his magicians to tell him what it was, but they couldn t (see Daniel 2:1-11). Since no one could reveal the king s dream to him, he gave orders to kill all the wise men of Babylon, including Daniel and his friends (see Daniel 2:12-13). Upon hearing what the king had decided to do, Daniel went to him and asked for more time and then he would tell him what his dream was. Daniel shared this with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and they prayed to the Lord to reveal the dream to them so they could escape the king s wrath (see Daniel 2:14-18). God revealed the dream to Daniel in answer to his prayer, and Daniel offered up thanksgiving and praise to God (Daniel 2:19-23). Daniel then went to the king, and revealed the dream and the interpretation of it declaring that the image of the head of gold in the dream referred to King Nebuchadnezzar (see Daniel 2:24-45). As a result, Nebuchadnezzar placed great honour upon Daniel giving him a position at the gate of the king. In addition, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were placed over the affairs of Babylon (see Daniel 2:46-49). Then in chapter 3, the king built a gigantic golden image in his own honor and set it up on the plain of Dura requiring all his subjects, of all ranks to fall down and worship it (see Daniel 3:1-7). Information came to the king saying that the Jewish
princes, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were refusing to worship this golden image (see Daniel 3:8-12). The king called them in and questioned them advising that if they didn t worship the golden image, they would be cast into the fiery furnace immediately. With boldness, they declared that even if the fiery furnace was their lot, they would not bow to the golden image. They also declared that the God they served was able to deliver them, but even if He chose not to, they still wouldn t bow (see Daniel 3:13-18). This is where our lesson begins. III. NEBUCHADNEZZAR, AN ANGRY ENEMY (Daniel 3:19-23) A. The king displays irrational anger (Daniel 3:19-20). 1. (vs. 19). Our first verse says 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. After hearing the three Hebrew young men refuse to worship his golden image, Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury. Up to this point, when dealing with these young men, Nebuchadnezzar had been somewhat rational (see Daniel 1:17-21; 2:46-49).
But their firm refusal to worship his golden image was too much for him. He was accustomed to having people flatter him and grovel in his presence. Doesn t that sound like someone who is now sitting in the oval office? The king was already angry when he learned that the three Hebrew young men had not bowed to the golden image (see Daniel 3:13). Now he heard it from their own mouths (see Daniel 3:15-18), and therefore we read that Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury. The king was filled with so much rage that he became irrational. The phrase and the form of his visage was changed means that the king s facial expression was distorted by his rage and anger against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Any affection or sympathy the king had felt for these three faithful Hebrew officials was now gone (see Daniel 2:49). They had defied the king, the ultimate authority and they must pay the price! Therefore he (the king) spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. I can imagine Nebuchadnezzar shouting orders to his servants to heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. The king commanded his servants to make the furnace as hot as it could possibly be made. The word wont here means normally. This was clearly a senseless order since the fire already burning was hot enough to consume anyone thrown into the furnace. Note: It was Nebuchadnezzar s excessive pride that caused him to have this ridiculous outburst of anger. As king over the mighty Babylonian Empire, he demanded respect and loyalty. For someone to defy him was unthinkable! This is the kind of effect pride has on people. When they are opposed in any
way, they will lash out at those they see as denying who they are and the power they claim to have. Unfortunately, we see this same behavior demonstrated by our president, Donald Trump! 2. (vs. 20). This verse says And he (the king) 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. Nebuchadnezzar s anger had taken him to irrational extremes. As a result, he called on valiant warriors from his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Using his strongest soldiers for this task suggests that the king wanted to make sure that no power, human or divine could help them escape. Note: How useless were the proud rantings of this arrogant king! How puny were his efforts to outwit God! He would soon learn just how foolish his efforts were. Perhaps he would see the Lord as Psalm 2:4 declares: He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall have them in derision. In other words, God who rules in heaven laughs at the proud and makes fun of them. B. Unexpected deaths (Daniel 3:21-22). 1. (vs. 21). This verse says 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. Responding to the king s
command, his mighty soldiers bound or tied up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. It s interesting that they were taken and bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments. The king left them fully clothed to make sure that the fire would more effectively and completely burn them up. Daniel probably mentioned this on purpose here because later in the text their unaffected clothing would be evidence that the miracle God performed was complete (see Daniel 3:27). In addition, the fact that these young men were completely dressed indicates that they were immediately taken to the furnace. Note: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had no doubt come before the king dressed in their official finery. Since they were now considered condemned criminals, one would expect for them to be stripped of their official clothing before being executed as a sign of humiliation. But the urgency of the king s command didn t allow time for their clothing to be removed. Thus steadfastness of these brave men was tested to the utmost. To declare their willingness to die for their faith was one thing; but to actually be carried to the furnace and thrown into the flames was something else. Undoubtedly they hoped that God would deliver them before things went this far. However, they remained faithful and in so doing have left us an example and a challenge. 2. (vs. 22). This verse says Therefore because the king s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Again, here we see how angry the king was. He couldn t wait
to have these young men thrown into the burning furnace. We are told that the king s commandment was urgent so the soldiers immediately took the victims to the opening of the furnace to toss them in. Even though the furnace (was) exceeding hot probably with the flames jumping from the top, the soldiers, knowing that the king would have them killed anyway if they refused to finish their task, paid a heavy price. We are told that The flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The flames from the fire shot outward and immediately burned the soldiers up as they were tossing the three Hebrew young men into the furnace. As a result, Nebuchadnezzar s anger backfired on him, depriving him of some of his best military men; yet even that probably didn t bother him. Undoubtedly, as far as the king was concerned, what was losing a few soldiers if it meant getting rid of treasonous officials like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who refused to obey his commands? He could replace the soldiers, but more importantly his decisive action taken against these three Hebrews who were now officials of the king, would strike fear into the other officials. Therefore, he would never have to face such insubordination again. C. A safe landing (Daniel 3:23). This verse says And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Because of the haste and urgency with which the king s order was carried out, these three
men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. The fact that these three Hebrew young men were bound and fell down into the middle of the burning fiery furnace indicates that there was no way they could have escaped or helped themselves. In view of what happened to the soldiers who threw the men into the furnace, the king expected that these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would also just as quickly be burned to cinders. IV. NEBUCHADNEZZAR, A CHANGED SUPERIOR (Daniel 3:24-28) A. The king is astonished (Daniel 3:24-25). 1. (vs. 24). This verse says Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, 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. The king had been sitting at a distance far enough from the furnace to be safe, but close enough to look into it. He was determined to witness the end of these three young men. However, as a result of what he saw Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste. The king, expecting to witness the destruction of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, saw something so different that he was
amazed and stood up quickly to speak with his counsellors. These were probably a select group of the king s high officials. The king then asked them Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? It appears that the king was perplexed causing him to question his eyesight and even his memory. The king s counsellors responded to him saying True, O king, or yes king, indeed we did. 2. (vs. 25). This verse says 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. Nebuchadnezzar then declared that what he saw didn t agree with that. In fact, what he saw had caused his amazement and was nothing like what he expected to see. First, he said Lo, I see four men. Instead of seeing three men in the furnace, the king said well look, I see four men. Second, the king said the four men he saw were loose meaning free or not bound. The fire had burned the ropes but nothing else. The fire had actually worked to their good (see Romans 8:28). Hallelujah! God is good! Third, the four men were walking in the midst of the fire. They were not running around looking for a way out, but they were walking leisurely as if they were taking a walk through the park. Fourth, the king said that they have no hurt. In other words, there were no signs of pain or harm on their faces. But what was most shocking to Nebuchadnezzar and the thing that caused him to consult his counselors (see Daniel 3:24) was that he saw a fourth man in the furnace, and he was different from the other three. The king said that the form of the
fourth is like the Son of God or more literally, like a son of the gods. We must remember that this was a pagan king speaking. He had no knowledge of the true divine Son of the living God. Basically, he was saying that this man looked like a divine being. Apparently, something in this person s appearance convinced Nebuchadnezzar that he was more than just a man. Note: Who really was this fourth man? There are two possibilities. First, he could have been an angel sent by God to deliver His own (see Psalms 91:10-12). But most likely, he was the preincarnate Christ, the Son of God who at various times had appeared as the Angel of the Lord. This Angel had appeared to Hagar (see Genesis 16:7-13), to Gideon (see Judges 6:11-12), to Samson s parents (see Judges 13:2-20), and others (see Genesis 22:11-16 Joshua 5:13-15). It would have been entirely appropriate for God to walk alongside of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who were willing to suffer for His sake (see Psalms 23:4; Isaiah 43:2). In addition, the Lord s very own presence would be a special witness to a pompous, proud heathen king. Whoever, this person was, His presence signified that God was pleased to identify Himself with His suffering servants. He had permitted them to be thrown into the furnace, but He went with them into the flames. God s presence was a great comfort to them, and the account of it should comfort us as well. It is true that sometimes God may not choose to deliver us from our trials as He did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, but the assurance of His tender care in every circumstance should sustain us in every time of need (see II Corinthians 12:8-10). The Lord could have rescued the three men without His
visible presence, but He apparently wished to remind them that He was literally with them in their greatest trial. He also wanted to show the heathen Babylonians that He was greater than their absolute king and his golden image. B. God protects Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:26-27). 1. (vs. 26). This verse says 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. At this point, the king had to admit defeat. He came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, meaning that Nebuchadnezzar came as close to the furnace opening as the heat would allow. He then called for the three Hebrew men saying Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Calling them by their Babylonian names, the king also called them servants of the most high God. The name most often translated as most high God is El Elyon which means the Supreme One. Speaking of Israel s God this way does not imply that the king had now abandoned his false gods and turned to Israel s God. Nebuchadnezzar merely recognized God s power as being greater than that of any other gods (see Daniel 2:47). The
king then told the three young men to come forth, and come hither. They did exactly as the king asked, but not because they feared him. Certainly, at this time they didn t! Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. At the request of the king, the three young men calmly walked out of the middle of the burning furnace. 2. (vs. 27). This verse says 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. Here we are told just who were present with the king at this so-called execution. There were the king s princes, governors, and captains, and the king s counsellors. These were all the important people in the king s realm. As they all were gathered together they saw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego come out of the furnace upon whose bodies the fire had no power. In other words, everyone present at the furnace saw that the fire had not harmed them in any way. Their bodies were not affected by the fire, nor was an hair of their head singed or burned. In addition, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. All their clothing was just as it was when they entered the fiery furnace. Nothing about their clothes had changed. What was even more unbelievable was that no smell of fire had passed on them. In other words, there was not even a hint of the smell of smoke on them. Are you kidding me? God s deliverance of the three young men was
totally complete and everyone witnessed it. Their bodies were not harmed, their hair was not burned, and there was no smell of smoke on them at all. Note: God s deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego was a great victory of faith for the Jews in captivity. They were protected from harm, they were comforted in their trial, God was glorified and they were rewarded. May we be as true to God regardless of how difficult our circumstances might be. God s protection goes far beyond anything we could ever imagine. C. The king makes a new proclamation (Daniel 3:28). Our final verse says 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. After the three Hebrew young men came out of the furnace unharmed in anyway, Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. In other words, this powerful pagan king of Babylon praised the God of Israel. He did this by saying that God hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him. The king admitted that Jehovah s power was far superior because of how He had delivered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego his servants that trusted in him. Because these three young men trusted in him (God) they changed the king s word. In other
words, they defied the king s command to worship the golden image. In addition, they yielded their bodies, meaning that they were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. What Nebuchadnezzar witnessed that day caused him to declare the superiority of God and His worthiness to be worshiped. What the king witnessed was that the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Clarence Price, Jr. (me) had been completely trusted by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and He had responded to their trust by delivering them from the fiery furnace. V. Conclusion. The men in this week s lesson were regular men trying to survive in an environment that was hostile to God. They were up against great opposition. The command given to them was clear: follow this way or die. It would have been easy to take the path of least resistance. These three young men could have said, We can bow to the golden image this one time. God knows we don t mean it and He will forgive us. He ll understand why we did it. That would have been the comfortable path to take. But what really happened became a testimony not only to a pagan kingdom, but also to every believer reading the Scriptures. They came out of the fire to an awestruck ruler and a new mission field. Whenever we find ourselves in difficult circumstances, we can be confident that the Lord is with us. We may never be required to bow down to a king, but we are challenged everyday to
bow to people and compromise our faith in God. We must be bold! Is God calling you to something difficult? Is He asking you to take a risk? If so, answer His call! Remember, we don t need to be some special kind of believers. Neither were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. All we need to do is have faith in Jesus. When we are lacking in courage, we need to trust Him to make our courage complete. ***The Bible Expositor and Illuminator, Union Gospel Press***