Daniel 3

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. (Daniel 3:1 KJV)

These events take place about 10 years after chapter two; scholars debate the exact timeframe (ranging from 2–30 years), but the events don’t immediately follow chapter two; time passed allowing all parties to dwell on the previous events and plot their revenge. At the end of chapter 2 the Jewish captives rose to power in Babylon, and the rest of the Chaldeans resented them for years, waiting for their opportunity for revenge. Now is the time.

Politics hasn’t changed much. It’s popular to say “every day in every way we’re getting better and better”, but it’s not true. The idea’s popularity (the reversing of entropy or going from chaos to order) stems from its requirement for evolution (but that’s a fairy tale for another time). But comparing politics thousands of years ago in Daniel to recent elections doesn’t yield much difference. Politics is (and always has been) a dirty and nasty business — it’s not for the faint of heart.

Nebuchadnezzar creates a huge image made entirely of gold; recall the previous chapter when Nebuchadnezzar sees the image — it had a chest of silver, stomach of bronze, and so on. By building his image entirely of gold, is this Nebuchadnezzar’s way of claiming immortality?

Man continuously seeks the fountain of youth or immortality. From strange religions to various pills, creams, and potions, everything man does strives to extend his life, denying the fact that from your birth your body begins rotting, and nothing you do can stop it. But you’ve already got immortality, the only question is where you will spend it.

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. (Daniel 3:2 KJV)

Long winded way to say, everybody.

Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. (Daniel 3:3 KJV)

Everyone bowed (pun intended) to political correctness and followed the herd. The Bible in Exodus 23:2 warns about the dangers of following a crowd — don’t do it. You must be wary of the herd mentality; just because everyone else does it doesn’t make it acceptable. Some of the greatest tragedies came about because “everyone else does it”. God gave you a brain and the capacity to reason — use it.

In the 1940’s, everything Hitler did to the Jews and others was popular and legal, but that doesn’t make it right. Executing millions of people isn’t right, and just because a majority of people went along with Hitler’s insane ideas doesn’t make them right. A scary idea in politics is “majority rules”. Yes, that should be true for taxes and bureaucratic rules, but we can’t determine right and wrong by taking a survey; sometimes the majority view leads to tyranny. As a Christian, don’t follow the crowd just because everyone does it. In this case, these three guys recognized the error of the majority and took a stand against it.

Then an herald cried aloud, to you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, that at the time ye hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up; and whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. (Daniel 3:4–6 KJV)

Local pagans in Babylon worshiped multiple gods, so a decree of this sort would not be a problem for the general population — the decree only bothers monotheistic Jews. The locals worshiped anything and everything; adding one more god could be beneficial. After all, what if this one missed god we need for help with finances or crops?

Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of music, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. (Daniel 3:7 KJV)

The politically correct herd does what the herd always does — do what everyone else does. Yet conforming to a set of rules isn’t limited to the politically correct crowd. Even the non-conformists follow the rule; from the sixties flower children to the anarchists of today, the non-conformist crowd always conforms to their own set of rules, punishing anyone who doesn’t follow. In other words, you must non-conform like everyone else (in a conforming manner). When everyone seeks to “stick it to the man” the same way, it’s simply conforming to a different standard.

Conforming to a group grows so strong Matthew Henry said “There is nothing so bad which the careless world will not be drawn to by a concert of music, or driven to by a fiery furnace”. Or as satan said in Job 2 “Skin for skin. Yes, all that a man has will he give for his life.” Man has a strong desire for self-preservation, and going against the grain for these guys must have been extremely uncomfortable. Someone once said “A hero isn’t any braver than any other man, he’s just braver longer”.

Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. (Daniel 3:8 KJV)

These guys were likely the ones showed up from chapter 2, but they exhibit a strange sense of gratitude. Again, politics hasn’t changed much. Even though Daniel spared their lives by interpreting the dream, they seethe with resentment and anger, waiting years for their chance at revenge.

All through history the Jews have been attacked. As God made his plan for the Messiah to appear more clear, it gave satan more information to focus his attacks. The Jews have been threatened with extinction simply because if they don’t exist, a Jewish Messiah can’t appear and man’s hope of redemption vanishes.

They spoke and 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 horn, pipe, lyre, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image; And whoso falleth not 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. (Daniel 3:9–12 KJV)

Politics hasn’t changed in thousands of years. It’s still a nasty cut-throat business, with people possessing long memories. Likely these guys still resented the events of the previous chapter, spending years waiting for a suitable opportunity to launch an attack. With the absence of Daniel, they seize their opportunity.

Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spoke 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? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, 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 furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? (Daniel 3:13–15 KJV)

Nebuchadnezzar was rash, impulsive, and easily impressionable — you didn’t cross him. Unlike the President, the King had complete authority; he could do anything he wanted. He literally had the power over life and death — he could change laws anytime he desired.

He liked Daniel and his friends, so he decides to give them another chance as perhaps they just didn’t hear the music, or became confused. His actual decree required as soon as they didn’t bow down they would be executed, so he’s bending the rules a little for them. Nebuchadnezzar had the flexibility in enforcing the law, but later empires didn’t grant that ability to the king (laws of the Persians could not be changed, see chapter six).

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. (Daniel 3:16 KJV)

They violate a certain protocol as they addressed the king. Certain presidents have been less than stellar, yet if I met them I would address them as Mr. President. It’s just basic protocol and respect (for the office, if not the man). These three Hebrews basically tell the king where to put his absurd law. They refuse to go against God.

Incivility in politics hasn’t changed much either. Newt Gingrich stated all candidates should be required to meet and travel together for a few reasons. First, it would be good for the country to hear multiple points of view at once. Too many times a candidate never ventures outside his own base and isn’t exposed to opposing views. Second, it’s much harder to be vile and mean when someone stands right next to you; if you can do that it means you’ve got big problems and shouldn’t be in public office anyway.

These Hebrews don’t hesitate even though they face an uncertain outcome. It’s easy for us to recline and ponder the story, but this must have been an intimidating moment facing the king. But their conviction and courage stands firm.

As Nebuchadnezzar queries “What god is able to deliver you?” to these men we need to have an answer as well. Not just God being all powerful, but a response demonstrating the superiority of God’s plan in every situation. Occasionally we attempt to defend God and don’t have to. God can defend Himself; simple statements of facts are all that is required, as our boys demonstrate.

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery 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. (Daniel 3:17-18 KJV)

These guys don’t lack chutzpah, or we can call it dedication. They didn’t know if they would live or not, but their dedication never wavered. But they knew a foundational principle — God would deliver from death or through death, and it didn’t matter to them. No matter what happened, God delivers from Nebuchadnezzar.

Go back and reread Daniel chapter one as he purposed in his heart not to yield to the society he lived in. You must make the commitment before the situation presents itself; once you’re standing before the king it’s too late to make your mind up. Decide on your commitment now. If you’ve got areas needing shoring up, do it. If you need practice with the armor of God, get it. You’ve got time now, later you might not.

At some point life stinks, and sometimes stinks a lot for a long time. That may not be a popular point, but it’s true; Jesus guaranteed trials would come (John 16:33). He also stated the rain falls on the bad and the good (Matthew 5:45). Some debate if the rain is bad or good, but that debate misses the point. Whether it’s good or bad it falls on everyone. You are going to have tough times. You can pout and whine, or face them head on. Your choice.

Many people ask why do we have trials? Why do bad things happen to good people? Recall Genesis 22 as God told Abraham to offer Isaac. At the last moment an angel stopped Abraham (God doesn’t advocate child sacrifice). Why was all this played out? Did God need to know Abraham’s character? Of course not. But Abraham needed to know his character. Just like Abraham, God wants you to know, did I yield or stay committed? How did I handle that situation? What areas am I doing good in, and what areas need help?

Second, bad things happen to everyone sometimes, and many times the only people who understand are those who’ve crawled over the same ground. You have the opportunity to help others having similar problems in a way people who haven’t experienced them can’t. Experiencing difficulties yields a unique perspective, one you can’t get any other way — it’s important to share that knowledge.

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. (2 Corinthians 1:3–4 KJV)

One of satan’s strategies attempts to get you to believe you’re all alone during difficulties. Imagine these three guys — thousands bow down and they’re all alone. It’s basic human nature to desire to fit in with the crowd and do what everyone else does. Even during the 60’s when the motto was non-conformance, everyone non-conformed to the same conforming standard. But these guys never forgot they never were alone.

But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, fear not; for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. (Isaiah 43:1–2 KJV)

When you go through fiery trials — it’s going to happen. But remember God hasn’t forgotten you and promises to get you through, but perhaps not like you’d imagine. When God says let’s go to the other side of the lake He doesn’t mention how, just that you’re going to the other side. These guys had no promise of any particular outcome, but refused to yield.

Yet some erroneously say if God will deliver me, I’ll just sit and wait for the Lord to act. But you must not say “God will provide” and do nothing. Some groups refuse doctors saying if God will cure me, there’s no reason to go to the doctor. But nothing in the Bible says that. In fact, just the opposite. Proverbs 21:31 states the horse is prepared for the day of battle; but safety is of the LORD. In other words, you must do everything you can to be prepared, avoiding two common mistakes:

• Not preparing — If you need a job, get looking. If sick, get to a doctor. If a hurricane is arriving, do what you can to prepare and take precautions for safety.
• Being prepared, but trusting in your preparations. After doing all the prep work, your safety isn’t in what you’ve done, it’s from God. Ultimately it’s not the surgeon, or the oncologist, or the radiologist, or the cardiologist, or the cosmologist who cures (OK the last one is a joke).

The simple lesson from Daniel 3 — our God can deliver, and even if He doesn’t don’t bow down to fear or man or anything else. We will do what we can to prepare but then trust in the Lord; even if events don’t turn out the way we wish, God’s plan always proves superior to anything we can think of.

So how do we prepare for the trials which will come our way?

First, be prepared. Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself back in chapter one. Decide now how you’ll respond. When events overcome you, it’s too late to derive a course of action. You need to decide how you’ll respond now. Don’t wait.

Second, you’ve got to be stubborn. Some stubbornness is good (chapter three), but some is bad (chapter four). Don’t make the mistake it’s always bad to exhibit stubbornness and a single will; perhaps a lesson from Winston Churchill can illustrate.

We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender …

Paul reminds us in Hebrews 2:1 to give earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip; if you’re not ready and prepared it’s easy to drift away. Paul speaks in nautical terms in Hebrews; you must anchor to something stronger than yourself. Whenever a ship anchors, it’s an obvious requirement to anchor to something stronger than the ship itself. Otherwise they just drift. But we are no different from the ship. Too many people try to anchor to money, or possessions, or education. But none of those provide the strength required. Only anchoring to the Lord is sufficient.

Once you’re anchored, you can react like these guys because no choice exists. You’re going to do what you can (prepare the horse for battle), but know that deliverance comes from God (safety is of the Lord). No matter what happens you can be confident in the best result. Just look at a few examples.

• Job 13:15 — Job says though he slay me, yet will I trust Him. We know what Job went through (read chapters 1–2) as he lost just about everything — family, possessions, livestock. All he had was his wife, whose great advice was curse God and die. Yet through it all Job maintained his trust in God.
• Acts 4 — Peter before the Sanhedrin when he’s told to no longer speak about Jesus. In verses 19–20 Peter states we cannot but speak the things we have seen. In short, take a hike.
• Acts 5 — After thrown in prison and ordered not to teach in Jesus’ name, they do anyway and Peter says we ought to obey God rather than men. We will not bow down.
• Acts 7 — Stephen’s address before the Sanhedrin. His bold move only inflames them and ultimately moves them to stone Stephen. Yet Stephen maintained and refused to yield, which likely would have spared his life.

But that’s tough to do all the time as many times we feel more like the disciples in Mark 4:35–40 as they had their problems attempting to cross the lake.

And the same day, when the evening was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the boat. And there were also with him other little boats. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was now full. And he was in the stern part of the ship, asleep on a pillow; and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? (Mark 4:35–38 KJV)

Feel like that? Waves come over the bow, and Lord you’re asleep! Don’t you care? Aren’t you going to do something? The disciples travel with the creator of the universe yet display incredible fear.

Perhaps Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego thought where is God? Why isn’t He acting? Why has He abandoned us? Notice what occurred when the disciples displayed their lack of faith.

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? (Mark 4:39–40 KJV)

Many believe the disciples lacked faith in his deity. Yet that doesn’t make sense when they woke Jesus up; on some level they understood Jesus had the power to help them. The faith they lacked was in his promise to get to the other side. They knew Jesus was God, but they lacked faith in His promise to execute His plan.

But God doesn’t guarantee an easy ride, and that’s when problems creep in. Don’t read into promises of God ideas not contained therein. In Mark four Jesus says we’re going to the other side, but didn’t make any statement about the ride. The disciples surmised when the storm came up it voided the promise of Jesus. Not so.

But this was no natural storm. These professional fishermen spent their lives on this body of water, if they were terrified it meant this storm was particularly brutal. But no matter the storm, how much effort did Jesus expend to eliminate it? Two words.

Were they ever in danger? No. Did they act like it? No. And that’s the problem. We possess the same advantage they did as the creator of the universe travels along with us as well. And we forget it as easily as they did. Somewhere in that is a lesson we should learn.

This doesn’t mean you’ll always be cured, or delivered from the fiery furnace. Only that God’s plan is the best and it’s guaranteed. But our human survival isn’t. The prosperity doctrine that God wants you to be cured, have a big house with lots of money and a Lexus, and if you don’t it’s because you lack faith isn’t true. That doctrine does a huge disservice to those becoming entangled in it, yet it’s simple to disprove by considering Paul and his thorn in the flesh. Three times he prayed for its removal, yet wasn’t delivered. God said his grace was sufficient — a healing isn’t coming. And Paul’s conclusion?

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9–10 KJV)

I don’t think Paul lacked faith. But for some reason, he wasn’t healed. We don’t know why, and perhaps Paul never learned why either. But he did learn God has a reason, and it’s better to trust Him. It’s a simple axiom that in desperate times you pray with more intensity and passion, and lean on the Lord more. And the more desperate the situation, the more we trust ourselves less, and Him more. Sometimes that’s the point.

Yet sometimes things look desperate — to us. Yet my God is able to deliver, and even if He doesn’t I won’t bow down to fear, or man’s wisdom, or false doctrines of prosperity. If God is God, then God is God (as Bill Ritchie says)

In 2 Kings 6 as the Syrian army surrounds Elisha he doesn’t seem too bothered by it. His servant shows considerable unrest, waking up Elisha. Elisha responds cryptically “they that are with us are more than they that are with them”. Naturally, the servant becomes more confused. Elisha finally realizes he won’t get any sleep unless he deals with this problem, so he asks the Lord to let him in on the secret and the servant sees horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. God hadn’t forgotten about them (Elisha knew it, while the servant didn’t), and He won’t forget about you.

In the next chapter (2 Kings 7) during a Syrian siege of the city the situation becomes desperate. Yet Elisha appears on the scene and basically says don’t worry, by tomorrow this will all be gone. But one man in the court doesn’t accept it, and he provides the lesson.

Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, Tomorrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat of it. (2 Kings 7:1–2 KJV)

A few desperate guys go out to the Syrian army, figuring if they stay in the city they’ll die of famine anyway. The Lord used these guys to chase off the Syrian army — they only find remnants as the army fled. As they go back and report, the king sends out a patrol and finds the invaders gone.

And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trod upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spoke when the king came down to him. And it came to pass as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be tomorrow about this time in the gate of Samaria: (2 Kings 7:16–18 KJV)

Events unfold exactly as the Lord said, even in a situation which seemed hopeless. But remember our guys in Daniel 3 — they faced an uncertain outcome, but knew God would either deliver them from death, or through it. There’s no guarantee of an easy life, or healing, or anything else, only that God’s plan is better than we could hope for.

You may say, I get all that — God is with us, He has His best in mind for us, and so on, but when two people go to the doctor each gets the same news: It’s cancer. Yet one is cured and the other is terminal. Two people go to school — one is killed by a nutcase, the other isn’t. In those times doubt sets in about God’s plan, just as it did for the disciples in Mark 4.

That’s not fair! How can a loving God allow such things? School shootings at Virginia Tech and Columbine, attacks on innocents like 9/11. Why won’t God heal everyone? Why doesn’t God do something? Doesn’t He care we’re perishing? Why does God allow suffering? Why do these things happen? Or why do bad things happen to good people?

God says all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. From God’s view all are sinners and in need of repentance; all have fallen short, all need forgiveness.

But this universe isn’t what God intended. Way back on page one, God created and called it good. Yet by page two, Adam appears and messes up the whole thing. Entropy starts, and decay, sin, and corruption enter the world. Before that sin, the world was perfect. After, it’s corrupting day by day.

Never forget this world isn’t what God intended. He uses events for our learning and to work for good (Romans 8:28), but don’t look for understanding because this world is fallen, corrupted and sinful. Man caused this fallen state, not God, and reaps what he sows.

Perhaps satan’s greatest deception shifts blame to God for his work. You’ve seen insurance policies saying they doesn’t cover “acts of God”. Yet read Job’s story, who was to blame for his problems? Shifting blame could be satan’s greatest strategy. Don’t fall for it — this world isn’t what God intended.

But through it all these guys knew God was able to deliver, and even if He didn’t save them from death, God has a superior plan. That’s the trust we need to develop. If you’re going through tough times, here’s a few verses you can cling to.

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18 KJV)

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV)

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV)

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8–9 KJV)

Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV)

Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border. (Jeremiah 31:16–17 KJV)

A simple lesson to be learned from chapter three — my God can deliver, and even if He doesn’t, I won’t bow to fear, or man, or the world because I’m anchored to something stronger than me. God will deliver me from death and disaster or through it. Either way, His plan always proves superior over anything we can imagine. Don’t quit, don’t give in.

So what do you think Nebuchadnezzar thought after these bold statements from these Hebrews?

Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; therefore he spoke, and commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. (Daniel 3:19 KJV)

This had to be scary and intimidating — a few lone men refusing the king’s order and Nebuchadnezzar responds with anger and hatred, commanding to heat the furnace seven times more than normal. Seven times means completely hot; as hot as they could get it. They couldn’t get the temperature seven times hotter, but seven in the Bible speaks of completeness. This furnace was as hot as possible.

A clay kiln operates from 1,000 to 1,500 degrees (in approximate round numbers). To make pottery you take clay and form it on a wheel to get the basic shape you desire, then place it into extreme heat which hardens the vessel into something useful.

But you may not know the extreme heat produces chemical changes in the clay making it strong, hard and durable, and those changes are irreversible. If you dig up clay and allow it to dry, adding water turns it back to clay. But by exposing it to extreme heat, irreversible changes occur making the clay useful for other purposes.

But if we asked the pot, would it be fun? I don’t think so. Do you see the parallel? God allows trials to lead to maturity, strength and durability, and those changes become irreversible. We need those qualities and they come from the fire.

And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. (Daniel 3:20 KJV)

Not tossed into, but bound as well. Nebuchadnezzar does not like taking chances.

Then these men were bound in their coats, their stockings, and their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. (Daniel 3:21 KJV)

Nothing left behind. Nothing to remind him of their testimony. The king wants to completely erase them from history, like Orwell’s “unperson”.

Unperson is a person who has been “vaporized”; who has been not only killed by the state, but effectively erased from existence. Such a person would be written out of existing books, photographs, and articles so that no trace of their existence could be found in the historical record. The idea is that such a person would, according to the principles of doublethink, be forgotten completely (for it would be impossible to provide evidence of their existence), even by close friends and family members … Wikipedia

God’s people are to be salt and different from the crowd. Salt has many properties, but it can be an irritant, a preservative and purifier. Some people don’t like to have reminders of the truth and seek to eliminate any trace of existence.

Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. (Daniel 3:22 KJV)

It’s so hot they couldn’t get near. Clay kilns fire around 1,000 degrees or so, and this fire was as hot as they could make it; you couldn’t even get near without severe problems.

And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. (Daniel 3:22 KJV)

They fell down into the fire as the guys holding them are gone. The end of our heroes. At least they stood firm. What were they thinking? How long did it take to realize God preserved them? Did they have some final doubt? Perhaps they thought, this is it, I guess God isn’t going to save us.

Doubt is normal; we need to build faith. Biblical faith differs from what today we call “blind faith”, or hope, faith in biblical terms “means that persuasion is not the outcome of imagination but is based on fact, such as the reality of the resurrection of Christ, and as such it becomes the basis of realistic hope”. (Zodhiates “The Complete Word Study Dictionary” page 1162)

It’s the faith we have in bridges over a river — it’s concrete and steel. While we haven’t undertaken an analysis of the concrete and steel it’s a reasonable expectation based on knowledge of construction (you don’t drive off the bank and hope you’ll fly to the other side). That’s what the Bible means by faith — it’s a faith based on reason and facts. Look at what the Bible says about faith in Hebrews 11.

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:3 KJV)

Paul speaks of atoms (and quarks, gluons, leptons and fermions). In Romans 1:19–20 Paul states the creation itself testifies of God. It’s a reasonable conclusion when you examine the universe. God created the universe, and the evidence surrounds us.

And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets; Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. (Hebrews 11:32–34 KJV)

You say, gee that’s great. If I have faith, it all works out, right? That’s the error of the faith teachers who say God wants everyone to be rich, have a big house and a Lexus. But keep Reading.

And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment; They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tested, were slain with the sword; they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. (Hebrews 11:36–38 KJV)

Others in Greek means another of a different kind. These were not delivered as those in the previous verses were. Yet they had faith as well. Not everyone is healed. Not all are rich. Not everyone has a Lexus.

Faith teachers do a disservice to the church — not only from corrupt doctrine, but their error leads to problems if you think God will always heal if you have enough faith. What happens if you’re not healed? Either you lacked faith, or God isn’t listening. Either result is wrong. Did Paul lack faith when he asked for his malady to be removed? I don’t think so. God answered My grace is sufficient, and sometimes it has to be.

We are to ask God, but must accept the answer. And no is an answer, just one we don’t like. But some aren’t healed — why isn’t everyone? I don’t know, but God’s plan is best. Trust is hard when you’re unsure and don’t know the outcome. These guys in Daniel didn’t know what was going to happen. Perhaps they thought this is it.

But it wasn’t.

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded, and rose up in haste, and spoke, and said unto his counselors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. (Daniel 3:24 KJV)

Of course they’re not alone. You’re never alone in trials, satan wants you to think you are. Remember the disciples from Mark chapter four — they traveled with the creator of the universe yet were still afraid. We have the same advantage they had; the creator of the universe travels with us as well. Do we act like it?

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. (Daniel 3:25 KJV)

Who joined them in the fire? Jesus Himself. Recall Isaiah 43 — when you go through the fire.

There’s an old poster of someone walking along a beach, and you see the footprints in the sand. The person speaks to Jesus, as he looks back over his life and the footprints. “Lord, I see two sets of footprints all through my life, but during the worst, most dark times, there’s only one set. Why did you leave me when I needed you most?” And the Lord replies, “It was during those times I carried you”.

You are never alone, even though sometimes it feels that way. One reason why we continue to return to the story of the disciples in the boat in Mark 4 — at one time we’ve all been there. We’ve all had doubts. We’ve all wondered where God was as the waves crash over the bow. We’ve all thought we’ve been abandoned.

But you haven’t. No matter what it feels like.

Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spoke, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come here. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. (Daniel 3:26 KJV)

Nebuchadnezzar has a change of heart rather quickly. As we’ve seen, he is impressionable and easily changes his mind. But this time they honored his request. These guys didn’t want to “stick it to the man”, but the king’s previous order was one they could not follow. This one they can.

And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counselors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. (Daniel 3:27 KJV)

The fire has no power — the guy that created it controls it. You’ve got an appointed number of days and nothing can stop it or terminate it short of completion. It could be today or 50 years away, we don’t know. But if the Lord still has work for you to accomplish, no fire can cut those days short. Of course, this doesn’t mean to tempt God by doing foolish things, but in your service to the Lord you can be sure your mission will be completed. But you don’t know what completed means to the Lord, it could be someone else comes along and your time is done. In short, do your best to stay safe and avoid dangerous situations if possible.

Yet all they lost in the fire were their bonds. God allows trials for our benefit, and sometimes we hold on so tight it takes a fire to relieve us of our bondage. Oh, that we would learn the lessons without the fire! But most of the time we don’t.

Then Nebuchadnezzar spoke, 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. (Daniel 3:28 KJV)

Nebuchadnezzar praises them for sticking to God.

Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a refuse heap; because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. (Daniel 3:29 KJV)

Nebuchadnezzar didn’t quite get the grace part of God. He understood the power, but forgot the forgiveness and the longsuffering of God.

Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon. (Daniel 3:30 KJV)

Where was Daniel during these events? You’re left with three choices.

1. He bowed down to the idol? Based on what we know about Daniel it’s unlikely.
2. Not accused? Again, not likely. He’ll have a plan hatched against him in a few chapters, so it’s unlikely his enemies would skip a chance to eliminate him.
3. Or not present? The likely scenario. Daniel was probably on an affair for the state and wasn’t present, and the bad guys took the opportunity to attack his friends.

Daniel’s absence provides a model for the church and the tribulation. Some were not present (Daniel) some were preserved through, some died in. Another clue the church will not experience the tribulation. But this isn’t the only model of this type. Look at Noah and the flood — some where preserved through, some perished in, and some were taken out before (Enoch was not mid-flood or post-flood, but pre-flood). In both cases, the model fits.

We need to learn the lessons of Daniel. Paul writes in Romans 15 these stories are preserved for our learning — do we avail ourselves of the lessons herein? It’s much easier to learn from the story than be doomed to repeat it for yourself.