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PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE

Introduction

In Chapter 1 we met the three friends of Daniel–Hannaniah, Mishael, and Azariah–whom we will refer to tonight as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and also collectively as the Hebrew Children.

These three Hebrew Children were influenced in a very positive way by Daniel to not defile themselves with the kings’s meat and wine, but to stand by their convictions. Many captives were taken when Judah was invaded by the Babylonians. Other young people were in the same predicament as were Daniel and his three friends. But only these four stood by their principles.

In Chapter 3, we find that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had learned to stand on their own even when Daniel’s great influence wasn’t around.

I.         THE KING’S COMMAND. (Daniel 3:1-7)

A.        We see how that Nebuchadnezzar constructed a golden statue which was ninety feet high and nine feet wide and set it up in the Plain of Dura near Babylon. (Vs 1)

Why did King Nebuchadnezzar do this? There were probably at least two reasons:

                        1.         The First Reason Was For King Nebuchadnezzar To Elevate Himself.

In reading Daniel 2, we learn that Daniel interpreted the king’s dream and told Nebuchadnezzar that he was the head of gold.

But the king was full of pride and vanity and wanted to be the whole thing!

                                    Pride leads people to do all kinds of things that are contrary to God! 

2.         To Second Reason Was For King Nebuchadnezzar To Consolidate His Empire Through A Common Religion.

In fact, this is the second of three great attempts that are recorded to institute a one-world religion.

The first occurred at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11) and the last will take place in Jerusalem during the tribulation period (Revelation 13).

B.        Next we see that the king then required every VIP in all the empire to assemble in the Plain of Dura on a scheduled day (3:2-3).

            C.        When dedication day arrived, an orchestra was on hand (3:4-5).

                        1.         At the sound of the music, all those assembled were commanded to fall down and worship the statue.

                        2.         Failure to fall down and worship the statue would result in an instant death sentence that would be carried out by being thrown into a burning fiery furnace. (3:6)

There is little doubt that the entire crowd could see this furnace and could watch the flames and smoke billowing forth from it.

It is interesting to note that this was one of the Babylonians’ preferred methods of execution. The Romans executed criminals through crucifixion, the Jews by stoning, and the Babylonians by burning.

(In Jeremiah 29:22, Jeremiah mentions two false prophets who were to be put to death in this matter in Babylon.)

This was probably one of the most persuasive altar call of all times—

                                    bow or burn.

            THE KING’S COMMAND.

II.       THE HEBREWS’ STAND. (Daniel 3:8-23)

            A.        Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego remain standing during the “invitation.”

                        They refused to bow to the image that Nebuchadnezzar had erected.

It is apparent that Daniel was not present at the dedication service. We don’t know where Daniel was at, but it is quite possible that he was out of the country at the time on the king’s business.

                        His duties as prime minister would require him to travel extensively.

The failure of these three to bow to the image was immediately reported to the king by some jealous Babylonian officials. (3:8-12)

            B.        Needless to say, Nebuchadnezzar was not very happy with these three Hebrews. (3:13)

            C.        Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are then brought to Nebuchadnezzar himself and offered a final chance to bow down. (3:14-15)

                        They were given the benefit of the doubt.      

            D.        All Three Of Them Refuse. (3:16-18)

Especially noteworthy are the words “our God is able.” This phrase is often found in the New Testament.

                        1.         Our God Is Able To Save.

Hebrews 7:25–“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

                        2.         Our God Is Able To Succour.

Hebrews 2:18–“For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.”

                        3.         Our God Is Able To Secure.

Jude 1:24–“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,”

2 Timothy 1:12–“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

                        4.         Our God Is Able To Surpass.

Ephesians 3:20–“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”

                         The testimony of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego was similar to that of Job.

Job 13:15–“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.”

These three youths were no doubt aware of the many excuses available to them for bowing down at this private meeting.

                        For example:

                        a.        They could have said, “Why not join the system. You can’t fight city hall!”

b.        They could have said, “We’ll cooperate with old Neb and win him to Christ!”

c.        They could have had the attitude that “A living dog is better than a dead lion—better red than dead!” or even “He who fights and runs away lives to fight another day!”

d.        They could have said, “Well, Daniel our leader is not here to make the right decision for us, so we’ll just do what we are asked.”

                        All these excuses could have been used. But they weren’t.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had been brought up under the Ten Commandments of Moses. Especially burned in their minds was the second law:

Exodus 20:4-5--“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them.”

C.        Next, we see that in an insane rage, Nebuchadnezzar (who has now totally lost control of himself), orders the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than normal and then had some of his most mighty men to bind the three Hebrews and cast them in the furnace. (3:19-21)

D.        Then we see that as the horrible decree is carried out, it results in the accidental deaths of those mighty men who are burned while throwing the three men in the furnace. (3:22)

E.        The three Hebrews are seen falling headlong and bound into the hellish fires. (Vs 23)

            THE KING’S COMMAND.

            THE HEBREW’S STAND.

III.      THE LORD’S OWN MAN. (Daniel 3:24-25)

Finally the wicked and angry king sees something that he can’t believe. (3:24-25)

            1.         He sees them walking.

Thus the only thing the fire burned was their shackles, for they were all bound when thrown in.

2.        He sees one like the Son of God, or literally, “One like a son of the gods.”

Nebuchadnezzar was unaware of the Trinity, but he was looking upon the Son of God himself, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

1.         Shadrach, Meshach , and Abednego are called to come out of the fire. (3:26-27)

            It says that “the fire had no power” on them.

There was no burning of their bodies or clothing, no singeing of their hair, and no smell of the fire on them!

2.         Then we hear a noble testimony from this heathen King. (3:28)

            And what produced this noble testimony? The conduct of these three noble Jews.

Had they been time-servers, the name of the true God had not been known in Babylon.

3.         What honor does the Lord put on them that are steadfast in the faith! (3:29-30)

Though by the decree the king does not force the people to worship the true God, yet he requires them to treat him with reverence.

Then the king promoted them in the province of Babylon.

There are at least four lessons we can learn from the lives of these three men:

1.         God’s dearest servants are sometimes called to pass through heavy trials.

2.         God is able to deliver when help seems farthest off.

He does not promise to keep us free from trouble, but he does promise to be with us in the trouble.

3.         God’s permitted furnace purifies, but never destroys us.

            Men may be able to destroy our flesh, but that is all they can do!

4.         God’s children must never be ashamed of Him.

            No matter how adverse the situation, we must be bold and unshaken in our witness.

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NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!