What God Series

They Didn't Bend (Dan. 3:8-12)

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.” They the new young up and coming leaders in Babylon.

Exegesis: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who had recently been promoted and that did not make them very popular among the wise men, astrologers and sources who had been serving Nebuchadnezzar for years before they came along. The Chaldeans who brought charges against them were nobles, not just astrologers. The Aramaic term gubrin kasha'in bares witness this as undeniable. They were in a position to profit personally from the execution of the three Jews, perhaps even to step into the government positions they occupied. They were indignant and siring up drama to get rid of these Jews. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego have been brought up in and around Jerusalem. There they were instructed by priests and scribes. Now there we slaves have been taken to Babylon. There, they were surrounded by heathen practices with images and emperor worship. There were taught new languages and the customs of Babylon. They were new and quickly acquired position and it did not seem to sit well with the locals indigenous hierarchy and Politian's in Nebuchadnezzar court. They were probably jealous of the authority given to the 3 captains from Israel. Jew who were monotheistic and not polytheistic. They service the king but they worship YHWH. Interesting to note they remind Nebuchadnezzar of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s ancestry.

Illustration: These were jealous co-workers in a cut throat environment. Are you scheming, plotting and discrediting others for personal gain or to maintain you prestige position. Young up and coming leaders who were foreigners and out of place. Busy bodies stirring up trouble for personal gain. We don't look for the faults in others to make ourselves look better?

Application: Who do you identify with? Where has God placed you, are you one to keep the peacekeeper and capitulate with peers for personal profit? Do you identify with the "astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews" or as the uncompromising Jews who would not break God's law even to defy a king.

Transition: Read Key Center, Daniel 3:15b. . .

“Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

They Didn't Bow (Dan. 3:13-23)

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.” 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.