Daniel 3 - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

 

Daniel 3- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

 

King Nebuchadnezzar reveals his pride in himself and his kingdom. He does this by erecting a gold statue of himself. In today’s measurements, it would be 90 feet tall. Building this statue was a direct rebellion against God. A show of self-pride, asking the people to see him as a deity or a god himself. Also, it was his attempt to have one religion worldwide. This is the kind of movement we could see in our world today that would lead to the Great Tribulation, to the man of sin, and the false prophet. This is after God’s people are removed from the earth.

 

When Nebuchadnezzar ordered the people to come and worship his image, all were present, except Daniel and his three friends. Although their lives were threatened many times, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced their greatest test when they were ordered to bow and worship the statue. The friends recognized that obedience in this case meant more than simply giving honor to their king as their leader. It involved a choice between loyalty to God or to the king. For them, the choice was clear. They would serve the king, but they would not worship him.

 

When the three men were confronted and threatened, they offered a courageous statement of faith. “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. It that is the case our God whom we serve can deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand. O King, but if not, let it be known to you that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image.” Their tone was respectful, confident, and uncompromising, and showed a display of faith toward God. They were clearly ready to die than deny God.  

 

The depth of our faith and loyalty can only be measured against resistance. Sometimes, as in this case, the test becomes a miracle. It’s one thing to walk into a fiery furnace with the knowledge that God will protect us. It’s another thing to walk into that same furnace knowing that God may choose to let us die for reasons we don’t understand. Faith is not a matter of believing that God will do what we think is best for us. It is whatever God does is best, regardless of how it seems to affect us. King Nebuchadnezzar clearly seen this as a miracle and declared God to be superior to his god.

 

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Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible.