(Daniel 3:1-7) Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, the height of which was sixty cubits and its width six cubits; he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent word to assemble the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates and all the rulers of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. 3 Then the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates and all the rulers of the provinces were assembled for the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed: “To you the command is given, O peoples, nations and men of every language, 5 that at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe and all kinds of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up. 6 But whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire.” 7 Therefore at that time, when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
We do not know where Daniel was at this time, but Daniel's three friends had been there, and had refused to bow down to the image. Someone then reported them to the proper authorities - the king!
Now let's just look at this a bit. It was the Chaldeans who made the report. In this case, this was not referring to the race of people as a whole. There were a particular group of Chaldeans who were a class of wise men priests.
They were among the king's select servants (mentioned in Daniel 2:2), which also included the magicians (textual scribes of the religious ritual), the conjurers (who practiced magic and reached out to the dead or spiritual realm), and the sorcerers (also known as enchanters, who specialized in magic potions).
It was this entire group who could not describe or interpret Nebuchadnezzar's disturbing dream. They all would have been executed had it not been for Daniel and his three friends who had all prayed for God's guidance (Daniel 2:17).
So, these Chaldeans were not grateful for being kept alive, but rather, they were jealous and threatened by these men, and were probably watching them closely - just waiting for them to make a mistake in order to get rid of them...
(Daniel 3:8-12) For this reason at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought charges against the Jews. 9 They responded and said to Nebuchadnezzar the king: “O king, live forever! 10 You, O king, have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe and all kinds of music, is to fall down and worship the golden image. 11 But whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire. 12 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon, namely Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. These men, O king, have disregarded you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up.”
Nebuchadnezzar challenged the three friends, wanting them to change their minds! He knew how valuable they were to him and so he gave them a second chance. But notice how they responded. They knew God was able to save them, but they had no expectations. They were going to remain steadfast, even if it meant dying...
(Daniel 3:13-18) Then Nebuchadnezzar in rage and anger gave orders to bring Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego; then these men were brought before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar responded and said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready, at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery and bagpipe and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, very well. But if you do not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Nebuchadnezzar had the fire in the furnace made so hot, that the guards who got close to the fire were killed; but nothing happened to Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego.
As for the fourth "man" - we are not told if this was an angel or THE angel of the Lord (Jesus pre-incarnate). Either way, the three men were protected from the fire. They did not even smell of smoke. And Nebuchadnezzar had to give God credit!...
(Daniel 3:19-30) Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath, and his facial expression was altered toward Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. He answered by giving orders to heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 He commanded certain valiant warriors who were in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego in order to cast them into the furnace of blazing fire. 21 Then these men were tied up in their trousers, their coats, their caps and their other clothes, and were cast into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire. 22 For this reason, because the king’s command was urgent and the furnace had been made extremely hot, the flame of the fire slew those men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. 23 But these three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, fell into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire still tied up.
24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he said to his high officials, “Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?” They replied to the king, “Certainly, O king.” 25 He said, “Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!” 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he responded and said, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego came out of the midst of the fire. 27 The satraps, the prefects, the governors and the king’s high officials gathered around and saw in regard to these men that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men nor was the hair of their head singed, nor were their trousers damaged, nor had the smell of fire even come upon them.
28 Nebuchadnezzar responded and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation or tongue that speaks anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego shall be torn limb from limb and their houses reduced to a rubbish heap, in as much as there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way.” 30 Then the king caused Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego to prosper in the province of Babylon.
From this we see:
- angels can withstand fire
- angels can protect us from fire
Personal experience: we are so afraid of pain. And not just physical pain, but emotional pain. If we dare witness to a certain friend or family member, it might mean that they will reject us. But it is not about our personal comfort! We need to look at the bigger picture. It is about the other person's eternal salvation.
God promises that we will suffer for His namesake! Yet He also promises to never leave us! He promises to be our strength, guidance, love, joy, peace, hope... God will protect us spiritually, and He is able to protect us emotionally, financially and physically.
Now, I've burned myself a few times in my life - emotionally, financially - but also physically - I've literally burned myself. But there have been a few times when I have touched something very hot, and the skin was completely fine. From past experience, I know that at the very least, it should have been red and very tender, but it was like nothing happened.
I don't wonder why - because I have no idea. And I'm not going to try it again to prove anything. So in those moments, I can't help but just be thankful!!! And, be reminded that God is able to protect us!!! I am reminded of the words Jesus told his disciples...
(Luke 10:19) Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.
Today's takeaway: so there are definitely times when God will protect us. And just like Daniel's three friends, we should know that God CAN protect us, but even if He chooses not to, we should be willing to take a stand - even if it means that we might suffer (emotionally, financially, physically), or even die.
Easy to say. But in those moments - if we are truly looking to God - I believe God will give us the courage and strength! Like with Stephen! Here is an example of a man who had a very short, but very powerful ministry. God is able to work in so many ways!...
(Acts 7:7-15) The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. 10 But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” 12 And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before the Council. 13 They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; 14 for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.” 15 And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.
Stephen then delivered a God-inspired message, giving historical examples of how the Israelite leaders rejected God's prophets, and ended with this challenge...
(Acts 7:51-60) “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. 52 Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; 53 you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.”
54 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. 55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; 56 and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse. 58 When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60 Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.
(118:4-8) Oh let those who fear the Lord say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
5 From my distress I called upon the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me in a large place.
6 The Lord is for me; I will not fear; what can man do to me?
7 The Lord is for me among those who help me; therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.
6 The Lord is for me; I will not fear; what can man do to me?
7 The Lord is for me among those who help me; therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.
(Philippians 4:13) I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
(Romans 8:28) And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
(2 Timothy 1:7-14) For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, 10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. 13 Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.
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