Tonight's study in the third chapter of Daniel is really very short. But even though it's short, it packs a powerful message for all of us.
Last time our study in the Book of Daniel left us at the entrance to the fiery furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were bound, fully clothed, and being forced into the furnace that had been heated up to seven times its normal heat. In the process tongues of flame leaped around these three and devoured the guards. At that point Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego fell into the furnace.
Tonight brings us the climax of this story that most of us already know. But even though it's a familiar story, I always look for some reason that this story is in God's Word. Why is it there and what it is trying to teach us?
This is one of the most astounding miracles in all of history that took place. Let's get into the passage. Have someone read verses 24 through 27.
Nebuchadnezzar witnessed the Lord's miraculous deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He had just watched the soldiers catch fire And he saw the three young men fall into the blazing furnace. But what the king saw next totally amazed him.
To make sure his eyes were not deceiving him, he asks the officials around him if they had not thrown three bound men into the fire. When the officials said yes, the king shouted, “Look! Now there are four men walking around in the furnace unbound and completely unharmed by the blazing fire.”
I wonder how we would have responded to see that. Of course, we know the rest of the story, but what if we had no idea of the ending and we saw this first hand.
But we need to know that Nebuchadnezzar gave a description of the fourth man. He said that he looked like a divine being. It is widely believed that the fourth person was probably a pre-incarnate appearance of the Son of God. To us, it was Jesus in there with the three. Now, remember, Jesus hadn’t been born yet. And even if it was Jesus in the fire with the three, Nebuchadnezzar didn't know anything about Christ. All he knew was that the person looked like a son of the gods.
So the king approaches the blazing furnace and gets as close as he can and he shouts out for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to come out. Did you notice that he acknowledged that the men were servants of the most-high God?
When the three climbed out of the furnace, the shocked officials crowded around to inspect them. We, as children of God, know that this is nothing short of God's miracle. Their bodies and their clothes were not even singed. It says that there was not even the smell of fire or smoke on them.
So all of the officials of Babylon, including King Nebuchadnezzar himself, had just witnessed an astounding miracle. The Lord had proven that He is the only living and true God, far more powerful than the so-called gods of this world and the rulers who dare to defy him.
Have someone read verses 28-30. Nebuchadnezzar once again submits himself to the Lord. I say “once again” because this is the second time in his life that he has done that. Back in chapter 2 verses 46-49 he did the same thing.
Daniel 2: 46-49 – “Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell facedown, worshiped Daniel, and gave orders to present an offering and incense to him. 47 The king said to Daniel, “Your God is indeed God of gods, Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, since you were able to reveal this mystery.” 48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many generous gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 At Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to manage the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king’s court.”
In light of this astounding miracle, the king took three actions in verses 28 through 30.
The first thing he did was he praised the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He gave three reasons for praising their God:
- because the angel of their God had saved them.
- because they had courageously trusted their God and refused to betray him.
- because they had defied the king and were willing to die for their God.
Second, Nebuchadnezzar issued a special decree that prohibited anyone from speaking against the God of the three young men (v. 29). If any person dishonored or spoke against their God, he was to be executed by being mutilated and dismembered and his property was to be destroyed. And note why Nebuchadnezzar issued this decree. Because there was no other God that could save or rescue his people like the God of these three young men.
Third, Nebuchadnezzar promoted Daniel’s 3 friends. He put them in higher positions of responsibility in the government, and he most likely rewarded them financially as well.
And there's our story. We have probably heard this passage taught and preached many times. But what can we actually learn from this passage? This is what I see.
We are going to walk through many fiery trials in our life. When we do, Jesus promises to be with us and to walk with us, no matter the severity of the trial or hardship. He will either strengthen us to bare the trial or deliver us from the trial.
The key is if we truly follow Christ, by obeying God's commandments and living righteously, God will give us the strength to be conquerors over all the crises of life, even over the crisis of death. God watches over us and is aware of even the most minute happenings in our life.
God loves and cares for his obedient children. So, He takes the crises of life and uses them as a strong witness to His saving power. His hope is that some believers will turn to Him because of the peace and strength He gives to His followers. So, we should always walk faithfully before the Lord, even when the fiery trials of life swarm in upon us. When we walk strongly and devotedly, God promises His wonderful deliverance.
I am led to the prophecies of the prophet Isaiah that further assures us of God's protection.
Isaiah 41:10 – “Do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you; I will help you;
I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 43:1-2 – “Now this is what the Lord says—
the one who created you, Jacob,
and the one who formed you, Israel—
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you,
and the rivers will not overwhelm you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be scorched,
and the flame will not burn you.
Isaiah 45:2 – ““I will go before you
and level the uneven places;
I will shatter the bronze doors
and cut the iron bars in two.”
Will the fiery trials come? Yes, they will. Some of us are going through those trials even as we speak. This lesson has reminded me that I serve a God that is bigger than any trial I may be going through. He’s the God you serve as well. Let His words bring you comfort.
