Daniel 3:1-30 Walking through the Fire with Jesus Michael Silva / March 11, 2018 Opening: Joke A fire started in the grasslands close to a farm. The county fire department rushed to the scene, but the fire was more than they could handle. Someone suggested calling the volunteer fire department. Despite some doubt that they would be of any assistance, they were called. The volunteers arrived in a dilapidated old fire truck. They rumbled straight towards the fire, drove right into the middle of the flames and stopped! The volunteer firefighters jumped from the truck and frantically started spraying water in all directions. Soon they did, what the better equipped county fire department could not, they snuffed out the entire fire. As the farmer watched all this, he was impressed and grateful that his house and farm had been spared. He quickly got his checkbook and donated $1,000 to the volunteer fire department. A local news reporter asked the volunteer fire captain how they planned to use the funds. The captain replied, "The first thing we're gonna do is get the darn brakes on our fire truck fixed!" 1. There s an intense fire in our passage today, but it wasn t put out. Introduction: We are continuing our study in a book that is both historical and prophetic. That book is... Daniel. 1. Before we begin our new passage, let me first ask, who drew a picture of the image from Nebuchadnezzar s dream? 2. Key Themes and Topics in this book include a) Faith b) The Power of Prayer c) Not Compromising d) The Sovereignty of God God is in control, even when we are not. Let s read our passage (Dan 3:1-30), beginning with: Daniel 3:1-6 (NKJV) i 1. You could summarize our passage today with this phrase: Walking through the Fire with Jesus. 2. Daniel uses repetition throughout this chapter. And this story also parallel s another chapter in Daniel. a) While Nebuchadnezzar s dream in chapter 2 parallel Daniel s dream chapter 7. b) The circumstances in this chapter parallel the circumstances in chapter 6. i) False accusations are made, God s people are in peril, and God delivers. 3. Interesting Note: If you were to read this passage in a Catholic or Orthodox Bible you would find that this chapter is longer, with sections that are not in our Bibles.
a) These additional sections include: The Prayer of Azariah, the Song of Three Young Men, Susanna, & Bel and the Dragon. b) These additions are part of what is called the Apocrypha. c) The Apocrypha consists of several additional books and sections of the Bible, largely from intertestamental period between the end of our OT and the NT. d) These additional writings, for various reasons were not included in our Bible. According to Bible Apologist Don Steward ii some of those reasons include: i) The Apocrypha Has Different Doctrine And Practices Than Holy Scripture. ii) The Apocrypha Has Always Been Rejected By The Jews As Scripture. iii) They Were Rejected By Most Church Leaders. iv) The Protestants Have Always Rejected The Divine Authority Of The Apocrypha. v) There Are Demonstrable Historical Errors In The Apocrypha. vi) There Is No Objective Evidence Of Divine Authority In The Apocrypha. e) Also, Josephus, the Jewish historian also excluded them from the list of sacred scriptures. 4. CONTEXT: In the last chapter King Nebuchadnezzar had some dreams that troubled him and made him anxious. a) God enabled Daniel to both know the king s dream and its interpretation. b) The king dreamt of a giant image or statue with a head of gold, body and arms of silver, belly and thighs of bronze, legs of iron, and the feet were a mix of iron and clay. c) The image represented four major kingdoms beginning with Nebuchadnezzar s as the head of gold and ending with the mixed world government of the End Times being completely defeated and overcome by Christ the great stone. d) We don t know how much time has passed between chapters 2 and 3 but it would appear that Nebuchadnezzar s dream of chapter 2 influenced his decision to build the statue found in chapter 3. e) HOW MANY OF YOU have heard this story taught at a VBS? Daniel 3:1-6 1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. 2 And King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to gather together the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 3 So the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered together for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 Then a herald cried aloud: To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, 5 that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; 6 and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 1. The image s height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits which is 90ft by 9ft. Page 2
a) Many suggest the image was in the king s likeness; The images in the kids story usually shows an image of a person. b) If it were a person, it would look very narrow and abnormal. Its size suggests it may be an obelisk. c) Because if it s great height, it likely had a wood core and was overlaid with gold, a custom often used in that day. 2. Of the group of officials called, satraps was a title for one who was a protector of the realm. 3. Here we see an example of Government controlled religion. a) This is a danger that our Founding Fathers tried to guard our nation against. i) But it s important to note that the Founding Fathers never intended to limit the free exercise of our religious beliefs, they only wanted to limit the Government s control over the free practice of those beliefs. b) In 1936 the head of a youth program in Nazi Germany, said: If we act as true Germans we act according to the laws of God. Whoever serves Adolf Hitler, the führer, serves Germany, and whoever serves Germany serves God. 1 4. In verse 4 the herald declares, when you hear the orchestra of instruments play, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. a) Every culture and people group around the world have some style and form of Music. b) It is a gift from God that stirs the soul and moves our emotions. It s a powerful tool for good or for evil. 5. Oh yeah, and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. Daniel 3:7 7 So at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, and lyre, in symphony with all kinds of music, all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 1. King Nebuchadnezzar and his herald has not called for anyone to renounce their own personal faith, only that they would also bow down to the king s image. a) I saw this in Japan, that some would we willing to add Jesus to their already held Shinto and Buddhist beliefs. b) I ve also heard it said that all roads lead to the same god. c) But Jesus said there is only one Way to salvation John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Daniel 3:8-12 8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jews. 9 They spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live forever! 10 You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with 1 Guzik, D. (2013). Daniel (Da 3:4 6). Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik. Page 3
all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the gold image; 11 and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 12 There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up. 1. The word accused means to chew to pieces. a) It was likely that the accusers had political motivations, and were jealous of the high positions Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego held. 2. Apparently, it was not initially obvious that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego had refrained from worshipping the idol. a) It was made known by certain Chaldeans. b) They charge the Jews with disrespecting the King, these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you 3. In reality, these three Jewish men didn t make a big scene, nor did they lead a protest against to image. They simply and quietly refrained from participating. a) Their actions were not intentionally public, nor were they hidden. Daniel 3:13-15 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands? 1. RUMOR CONTROL: Notice the King begins with the question, Is it true? a) So much trouble and damage can be avoided if we would just ask instead of assume. 2. Why did the king give these men another chance? a) I believe it was God who caused Nebuchadnezzar to pause and ask so that we could hear their response. i) Proverbs 21:1 The king s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. ii) God, not Nebuchadnezzar, was really in control. 3. But this was also a challenge for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego to compromise. a) Have you faced a challenge to compromise lately? Crossed the line? Or are you walking on the line? b) 1 Corinthians 10:14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. c) Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race Page 4
marked out for us, 4. Where was Daniel? We don t know. He s hidden from view in this passage, perhaps serving the king in another region of his kingdom. 5. The king ends with this prideful boast: who is the god who will deliver you from my hands? Daniel 3:16-17 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 1. Their response, we have no need to answer you in this matter, was not sarcasm, but an acknowledgement of guilt in their breaking the king s commandment. a) They owned it. They were wrong in the eyes of the king and they weren t going to make excuses. b) And concerning the punishment, that was a matter they weren t concerned about. c) These men had great faith They boldly declared, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. Daniel 3:18 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up. 1. At this point that they could have reasoned among themselves (Guzik) a) There is nothing to gain by resisting; wouldn t we do more good by living? b) After all, we are not being called to renounce our God. c) Everybody else is doing it. d) It is only for once, and not for very long It is stupid to throw our lives away e) This is more than can be expected of us; God will understand just this once. 2. But they did not answer in any of those ways. They resisted the temptation to compromise believing God would rescue them. a) And even if they aren t rescued, they willingly accept death over compromise. b) They would not violate the commandments of God Exodus 20:3 6 3 You shall have no other gods before Me. 4 You shall not make for yourself a carved image any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. Page 5
Daniel 3:19-23 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 22 Therefore, because the king s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 1. History tells us that Nebuchadnezzar was ruthless in executing judgments upon his guilty subjects. a) The king s anger cost him the lives of several mighty men of valor who were in his army. 2. Only three men were thrown into the fire. 3. The show: This Is Us the main character Jack Pearson dies from a house fire. Daniel 3:24-25 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said to the king, True, O king. 25 Look! he answered, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. 1. Jesus was there with these three faithful men. a) Nebuchadnezzar saw a deity, but there is no indication that these three men saw the Son of God with them. b) God can deliver us from a trial, but sometimes He walks with us through the trial. i) These three men had the strength and protection to get up and walk out of the fiery furnace. Daniel 3:26-28 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire. 27 And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them. 28 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God! 1. Nebuchadnezzar was learning lessons on who the True God was. a) Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego s God was not just One who can give the interpretation of dreams, but who can also physically save His people from harm. 2. David Guzik 2 points out This whole account illustrates perhaps serving as a type of the future of Israel during the Great Tribulation. 2 Guzik, D. (2013). Daniel (Da 3:26 27). Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik. Page 6
a) Nebuchadnezzar is like the Antichrist, who forces the whole world into one religion of idolatry. b) Nebuchadnezzar s image is like the image described in Revelation 13, that the whole world will be commanded to worship. c) The fiery furnace is like the Great Tribulation, which will be great affliction for the Jews. d) The three Hebrew men are like Israel, who will be preserved through the tribulation. e) The executioners who perished are like those in league with the Antichrist, who Jesus will slay at His return. f) The mysteriously absent Daniel is like the church, not even present for this time of great tribulation. Daniel 3:29-30 29 Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this. 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon. 1. These three men did not ask the king to make this decree, this was the king s response to what God had done. a) People will inevitably be moved by God s work in your life. b) But that means sometimes you have to walk through the fires of adversity. Conclusion: What s the big take away from this passage? 1. Walking through the Fire with Jesus a) You don t have to compromise for Jesus can sustain you and strengthen you to walk through any fires you find yourself in. Invitation: Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. i All scripture references, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. ii Don Stewart: https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_395.cfm Page 7