RISK EVERYTHING FOR GOD Daniel 3:1,8-12,15b-18,24-25,28 Lesson Passage For August 2/3 – Background Passage: Daniel 2:1-3:30 Charles Lyons, Ph.D.

Daniel Chapter 3 (Selected Portions) KJV 1

Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. 8

9

Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. They spake and 10 said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, 11 and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: And whoso falleth not 12 down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. 15

Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery 16 furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee 17 in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery 18 furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 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. 24

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, 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 25 unto the king, True, O king. 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. 28

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.

The Introduction Daniel 3:1 KJV 1

Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.

A little background to this event is in order. Daniel and his three friends were definitely prisoners. However, they were young men who would not compromise their faith or values. Most importantly, God’s Hand was on them.

In chapter two of Daniel King Nebuchadnezzar had been troubled by a prophetic dream. Daniel interpreted the dream. As a result he was recognized as a mighty wise man and Daniel had the King appoint his three friends: Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego, in charge of the affairs of the province of Babylon. As they were recognized for their God given wisdom, talent and character by the king other secular leaders in the land were growing jealous of this royal attention. Today’s believers will often find themselves under attack for their stand for Christ or in some cases, when their value is recognized by higher secular authorities, will be facing the attacks of jealous individuals who feel threatened. Some things don’t change! Now as we enter chapter three we find that the same King Nebuchadnezzar who in chapter two recognized the God of Daniel and the three as “…a God of gods and a Lord of kings, i” has forgotten his lesson. In chapter three the king builds a massive idol of gold. This idol is to be worshipped. Here is some extra information about the idol: 1. Height – 60 cubits or about 90 feet tall 2. Width – 6 cubits or about 9 feet across 3. The statue is of gold, either a structure covered in gold or complete gold 4. Located at the large flat plain of Dura What is the significance of the location? Archeologists believe this statue would have been at the end of a broad area that would have accommodated a very large crowd to assemble before it. The placement would have the people looking at the statue emblazoned in sun light. The idol would appear godlike and incredibly stunning. In the day that this took place people were accustomed to assembling before idols. However, even so, this statue had their attention. As stated before, some things don’t change. People are still worshiping false gods. Examples of modern day temples, deities and statues in Houston can be seen below (links to websites): 1. LDS Temple (https://www.lds.org/church/temples?lang=eng ) Mormon 2. Sri Meenaksshi Devasthanam (http://www.emeenakshi.org/ ) Pearland, TX 3. Hindu Temple of The Woodlands (http://www.woodlandshindutemple.org/ ) 4. Hare Krishna Temple opens in Houston (http://www.chron.com/life/houstonbelief/gallery/Hare-Krishna-Temple-opens-in-Houston-85833/photo-6307999.php )

2

Part 1 – The Set Up Daniel 3:8-12 - KJV 8

9

Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. They spake and 10 said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, 11 and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: And whoso falleth not 12 down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

About these instruments, note that the “sackbut” was a triangular musical instrument with four strings similar to a lyre. The “psaltery” was a similar instrument also triangle in shape with strings like a lyre or harp. The “dulcimer” described here would be a wind instrument of pipes similar to panpipes. Finally, the reference to “musick” simply indicates that we are experiencing instrumental music as opposed to choral music. The Jews were a conquered people at this point, yet Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego were in a position of influence. A natural prejudice surfaced by the Chaldeans against these “conquered” men who were blessed to be in the positions they held. They could see this moment as an opportunity to take the three prominent men’s positions from them or at perhaps have them removed and put to death. Jealousy and prejudice has no bounds. The Chaldeans go before the king to announce to him that his law that he established for all to bow before the idol was being ignored by three men. The king was most likely not primarily offended by the disrespect to the idol, one of his false gods. The greater issue was the position and pride of the king. The audacity of three Hebrew slaves that he had rewarded with trust to ignore his public order was an insult to his authority personally and officially. However, from the viewpoint of Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego it was honoring the teaching they had received to honor God and not to bow to any other god. (Note Exodus 20:3-6) Exodus 20:3-6 KJV 3

4

Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the 5 water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and 6 fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

3

God’s people of any time or age should be examples of model citizens up to the point that your service, obedience and commitment to God would be in question. This is not a Sunday morning issue; it is daily home and workplace issue. 1. What are examples that you might face on your job that would conflict between your job and your faith? 2. What are situations where your obedience to God could create tension in your family or extended family? 3. Is it enough to make it clear that you disagree with a policy because of your faith as a Christian or do you ever need to take a step of separation or resignation from a job? Part 2 – The Roll Out Daniel 3:15-18 – KJV 15

Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery 16 furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee 17 in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery 18 furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 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.

We mentioned earlier that the king was angry and took this failure to bow before the golden statue as a personal affront. You can see this better by looking back at verses 13 and 14 of Daniel chapter 3: 13

Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and 14 Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?

The expression, “his rage and fury,” gives us a clear indication of the emotional state of king Nebuchadnezzar. The king restates his position and makes it clear to the three Hebrews there is but one choice: obedience to him and live or disobey and die in a literal fiery furnace. This furnace was, “probably a smelting furnace and used only incidentally for the punishment of men.”ii The furnace had to be of significant size to accommodate the three (ultimately four) and room to walk about (Daniel 3:25.)

4

In recent years there have been some writers who have described a furnace that had a side area that could have created a vacuum space or place of shelter within the furnace area. That recess would have shielded the three Hebrews from the intense flame of the furnace. The weakness in this attempt to offer a secular explanation for divine intervention is that such a space would leave them out of sight of king Nebuchadnezzar who reports seeing them later in the chapter and also such a space would be void of breathable oxygen due to the flame in the area. After the king’s declaration, which amounts to a request that the three state their compliance with his law, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego give their response. They use an interesting phrase; they state that, “we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.” What they are saying is that there is no hesitance in their response. They are answering with confidence that they know what the right thing to do is. The response of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego is in two parts. They first state that their God can deliver them from the fire of the furnace and out of the hands of king Nebuchadnezzar. However, they don’t know God’s will in that matter and it is not up to them. Secondly, regardless of what God does they are committed to honor God by not serving or bowing to any of Nebuchadnezzar’s gods or this golden idol that Nebuchadnezzar has had erected. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego demonstrated what obedience to God is. Obedience is to decide to be faithful to God regardless of what circumstances are present or come our way! We need to ask ourselves are we willing to be faithful regardless of what God does in the circumstances, or do we wait to see what He will do with our situation first? Think of it this way; is it faith if we can see God moving? Is it obedience if God changes our situation and no action is then required by us? You may not have a fiery furnace to deal with, but if you can follow God when your bad situation doesn’t change, you are demonstrating trust in God. Part 3 – The Cool Off Daniel 3:24-25 – KJV 24

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, 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 25 unto the king, True, O king. 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.

Just in case you have not used the word “astonied” in your communications this week, it comes from an Aramaic word meaning startled or alarmed. This turns out to be a pretty good word. Especially if you considered yourself all powerful and in authority, have three men cast into a 5

fiery oven so hot that it consumes your own employees standing outside the oven and then when you look into the fire you see not only the three but they are joined by a fourth man. In addition to this they are not dead, toasted or roasted, they are walking around. Notice also the fact that in addition to these men not being burned; they are no longer tied up as they were before. Apparently the fire can consume ropes that try to restrain God’s people but cannot touch them or their clothing. What about these four men or more particularly the fourth man? Well the king identifies the fact of the three men he had cast in: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and that they are not harmed. What is more curious is that he specifically identifies that the fourth man, also unharmed walking about is, “like the Son of God.” Why would a carnal unsaved ruler recognize this fourth individual? Consider this possible solution by evangelist and author, the late Oliver B. Greene: …the form and figure of the fourth man was so majestic, His countenance so bright, that the king immediately declared Him to be of heavenly origin. If this be so, than Nebuchadnezzar gave Him iii the right title without realizing it.

One other aspect to consider is the influence of Daniel. There are indications that Daniel had opportunities to speak with Nebuchadnezzar in previous chapters. It is possible that Daniel’s influence was showing in the king in that he had knowledge not only of the Hebrew God but also perhaps a promised Messiah. The greater question for us to consider: can those around us, especially if they are not believers, become more aware of God and His influence in our lives because of the way we live, respond to crises and interact with authority figures? Do we mock secular leadership or pray for them? Conclusion Daniel 3:28 – KJV 28

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.

From the passage beginning at Daniel 3:26 through this verse, 3:28, we see a clear example of Nebuchadnezzar’s response to this miracle moment. He goes to the mouth of the furnace and calls for them to come out. The three men respond and exit the furnace. It is important to note that a host of witnesses: princes, governors, captains and the king’s counselors are present and agree that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are unharmed without so much as the smell of smoke on their persons!

6

Nebuchadnezzar, a secular powerful ruler saw and acknowledged that the God that these Hebrews worshipped could and did deliver. He stated that these men had not yielded themselves to his earthly law and that they would not worship any other but their God. So what can we learn and apply from this event? Several are the lessons that we can learn and our testimony and attitude will be stronger for the experience. Consider the following: 1. Daniel and his inner circle of friends, though captive, were free men. We are as well. The world would keep us bound in sin but we are free by the grace of God. 2. The three had already decided that compromise, as a believer, was not an option. How and when do we make decisions, is compromise of our values an option? 3. If you are faithful in a faithless world you’re going to go through some fire. However, walk by faith in God and the smoke won’t get on you! 4. Regardless of circumstance, remember that God has not changed. If we are called to go into the fire, our fourth man is ready to walk with us! 5. No one without commitment in their life is worth delivering from the fires of life. If you are His child you are going to be in the battle, chose to be victorious!

i

Daniel 2:47

ii

Merrill C. Tenny and others (eds.), The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1964). iii

Oliver B. Greene, Daniel, Verse by Verse Study, (Greenville, S.C.:The Gospel Hour, Inc., 1964),p. 134.

7