They Wouldn't Bend, Bow, Or Burn -- Why?

Hananiah—The grace of the Lord or, God has favoured;

Mishael—He that is the strong God;

Azariah—The Lord is a help or, Jehovah has helped.

Their core identity is now under assault. They have no choice but to conform to this first step in their re-education. To make them forget the God of their fathers, the very underpinnings of their faith, they give them names that they hope will bind them inextricably into the Chaldean idolatry.

Daniel, meaning God is my judge, was named Belteshazzar, which signifies the keeper of the hidden treasures of Bel.

Hananiah became Shadrach renamed after the Chaldean Sun god.

Mishael became Meshach, which comes from a designation of the goddess Shach, under which name the planet Venus was worshipped.

Azariah was now Abed-nego, The servant of the shining fire, which the Chaldeans also worshipped. [Note: the word "shining fire" and "shining star" which is Isaiah’s description of Lucifer "son of the morning" is no mere coincidence.]

Thus, instead of being dedicated to Jehovah, these four young people from Judah are dedicated by the Chaldeans to their four leading gods; Bel, the Chief-god, the Sun-god, Earth-god, and Fire-god. It is ironic that in the end, and ultimately what this message is all about, the three Hebrew children would ultimately be consigned to death by the Fire-god when they refused to worship the golden image set up by Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3:12).

I mention these things for two reasons. First, I want us to understand the circumstances and the predicament of their situation in Babylon. It would ultimately lead them to defy the king’s command to fall down before an idol of Nebuchadnezzar and worship him as God. Second, to understand the character of these young people that promoted them to act as courageously as they did.

What, you might ask, did they do?

From Daniel 3:12-18 we find the answer. Certain unnamed Chaldeans came forward to make the most serious accusation against Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego that quite literally jeopardized their very lives. Their accusers stand before Nebuchadnezzar and say:

"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." (12)

Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king. (13)

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? (14)

"Now if you are ready a 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?" (15)