Good morning,
Daniel 3 deals with the worship of Nebuchadnezzar’s idol. He commands all his high ranking officials to bow down to it. What will the three Hebrew children do? Will they bow or stand? Remember every decision we make in life has consequences. This one was life or death.
Daniel 3
Nebuchadnezzar’s Giant Idol
Nebuchadnezzar Honors the True God (v 26-30)
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.27 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 a hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, 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.29 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 dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
King Nebuchadnezzar witnesses a fourth figure in the fire and recognizes the divine protection over Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Upon their miraculous survival, the King praises their God and promotes Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Babylon.
What We Learned:
Daniel 3 presents a dramatic showdown between a defiant king and three men of unwavering faith. The chapter vividly recounts the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who refuse to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image, risking their lives in a blazing furnace, and in turn, showcasing the power of God.
In summary, Daniel 3 showcases the power of faith, God’s miraculous intervention, and the courage to stand firm in the face of adversity. It’s a powerful reminder that our God is able to save us, no matter the circumstances.
Themes
Unwavering Faith
Idolatry
Divine Protection
Defiance of Unjust Authority
The Power of God
Topics
Defiance of a King’s Command
The Fiery Furnace
The Fourth Figure in the Fire
Recognition of God’s Power
People
King Nebuchadnezzar
Shadrach
Meshach
Abednego
Certain astrologers
Royal officials
Locations
Babylon
The plain of Dura
The Fiery Furnace
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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