Daniel – Day 3
As Chapter 2 ends, we can see through his dream and its interpretation, that Nebuchadnezzar was brought to the threshold of personal submission to the God of Abraham, Jacob and Isaac. But he did not make a full commitment to God. This chapter shows that Nebuchadnezzar reacts to the possibility of submitting to the kingdom of God by moving toward independence. Independence manifests itself in the creation of an image of gold, whose height was about 90 feet and its breadth was about 9 feet.
Nebuchadnezzar then sent word to all the administrators, governors, and officials to appear for the dedication of this image. “Then a herald cried aloud: ‘To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace'” (Daniel: 3:4-6). This command gave rise to a dilemma: bow down and keep living or decline to bow and be thrown in a hot furnace. Certain Jews namely Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who were Daniel’s companions, declined to obey the command. Answering the king’s questions, they said ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter . . [because] 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. 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 set up’ (Daniel 3:16-18). Once again, illustrating the power of resistance borne of a steadfast commitment to serve the Lord even in trying circumstances, Daniel s companions risked it all on the Lord of their salvation. Faithful presence within the Babylon kingdom did not allow their submission. What is most essential in this drama is the fact that Daniel’s companions exhibited tangible trust in God.
After the three companions were thrown in the furnace, king Nebuchadnezzar was surprised to see four men in the furnace. Resistance was transformed into a miracle. Not only were Daniel’s companions rescued by the sovereign power of God, an even more important miracle took place in king Nebuchadnezzar’s heart. This miracle provoked him to say, ‘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’ (Daniel: 3:28). Resistance released the grace of God in Nebuchadnezzar’s life once again as he experienced evidence of the strange new kingdom that Daniel had explained to him from his dream. More than a dream, it was a reality and it was very powerful.
Key Verses:
“And who is the god who will deliver you from my hand? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 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 you hand, O king. But if not let it be known to you, O King that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the golden image, which you have set up.” ~ Daniel 3:15-18
Questions:
- What were the essential factors enabling Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego to serve God despite the costs?
- From your perspective what does it mean to purpose in one’s heart to serve the Lord?
- What are your current challenges in serving the Lord?
- Are there people in your life, who can act as models in serving God and resisting the forces of evil?
