Daniel 3:8-18
Daniel 3:8-18
New King James Version (NKJV)
8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! 10 Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”
13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 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, pipe 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 him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
My Thoughts:
So why did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego get a 2nd chance? Maybe it was because the king was fond of them just as he was with Daniel and wanted them to live. But the thing is these men knew that God was with them from the very beginning and they had no fear.
Some of the translations of these verses show the three men as being arrogant in their answer but the truth is that it was not arrogances that caused them to answer in this manner but an understanding that God was with them and an understanding that no matter the outcome His will was being done.
This stand they took reminds me of Paul in (Philippians 1:19-21) “for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Their faith was unmatched and their willingness to bow down to the one true God was a living testimony to Him.
What you have done if you were in their place? (Matthew 10:19) says “But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak;” Christ may have spoken these words 2000 years ago but they still ring true today.
Ellen White Statements:
“The king commanded that the men be brought before him. “Is it true,” he inquired, “do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?” He endeavored by threats to induce them to unite with the multitude. Pointing to the fiery furnace, he reminded them of the punishment awaiting them if they should persist in their refusal to obey his will. But firmly the Hebrews testified to their allegiance to the God of heaven, and their faith in His power to deliver. The act of bowing to the image was understood by all to be an act of worship. Such homage they could render to God alone.
As the three Hebrews stood before the king, he was convinced that they possessed something the other wise men of his kingdom did not have. They had been faithful in the performance of every duty. He would give them another trial. If only they would signify their willingness to unite with the multitude in worshiping the image, all would be well with them; “but if ye worship not,” he added, “ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” Then with his hand stretched upward in defiance, he demanded, “Who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?”
In vain were the king’s threats. He could not turn the men from their allegiance to the Ruler of the universe. From the history of their fathers they had learned that disobedience to God results in dishonor, disaster, and death; and that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, the foundation of all true prosperity. Calmly facing the furnace, they said, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so [if this is your decision], 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.” Their faith strengthened as they declared that God would be glorified by delivering them, and with triumphant assurance born of implicit trust in God, they added, “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.” {PK 507}
Last thoughts:
Men of true character are hard to find. But if we focus on the words of Isaiah we will always be of strong character. (Isaiah 26:3, 4) “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.
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When I think about the faith that Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego had, it shames me. Not once was there any hesitation. Not once was there any doubt. They KNEW they were with God and they knew that should He so choose He could deliver from this situation. We must learn that kind of faith. We must realize that our Lord is there for us in every situation. All we have to do is call upon Him and have faith that His will will be done. When we felt the earthquake late Sat. night I was in bed reading. My bed started moving and I started praying. I had no idea what was going on but I prayed hard and it stopped. Of course, the part we felt was only a few seconds but since I didn’t know what it was to my thinking, God had stopped whatever. My son was at the computer and the chair started moving. Like me He called out to Jesus. How wonderful that we have a God we can call on and know that whatever happens is what His will is. Still, to have the faith to face a fiery furnace, to face certain death and still give God honor and praise. Yes we all need that faith.
I didn’t feel it I was on the bed, David was on a chair in the same room, and he felt it. He wasn’t sure what to make of it, so he didn’t say anything. A few mins later I found out on FB someone said we just had an earthquake, then he shared it with me. It must of not been big.
I hit a sheet of ice this week and went in to a spin, and like you I prayed very fast. this time I was lucky and nothing happened and I put my truck in 4 wheel drive and keep going but I too hope that when the day comes and I am called to stand up for Christ I honor him.
Thank God you were fine. Can’t wait to get to heaven and see all the times God through his angels intervened.
We didn’t hear any major stand they have taken before, this was probably their first and maybe even last…but the focus should be put on the fact that when push came to shove, they took their stand right there and then and threat or death could not shake them. We can’t help but be put to shame and wish we had faith like their’s. But the truth is as long as we stand firm on the little convictions we face from day to day; we will be able to stand on the bigger issues we’ll face tommorrow.
I wonder if anyone else is reminded of the veggie tale song, Stand up, stand up for what you believe in, believe in, believe in God… He’s the one to back you up. I love veggie tales and just thought I had to share that. The whole time I’m reading the part of the furnace I’m thinking of the song.
Yes we all need to stand fast but as for the veggie tales reference well I will take your word for that one.
I love Veggie tales. The boys grew up on them and I still have a couple of dvd’s but the rest walked away.