Daniel 3:1-30
Q.1. How significant was Nebuchadnezzar’s image? What was the threat to those who would not worship the ninety feet image? (Dan.3:1-7)
Image often refers to a human form. This was likely a massive thirty metre high image of the king, overlaid with gold, on a base of thirty metres. It was set up in the plain of Dura. History reveals that Nebuchadnezzar was a proud and impetuous man. He gathered his subjects and people from the nations and established a festival to declare his greatness. It was accompanied by music. Anyone refusing to worship would be thrown alive into a fiery furnace.
Q.2. Why were the Jewish friends of Daniel denounced? How did these wise men respond to the king’s challenge and rage? (Dan.3:8-23)
This display of arrogance was the platform used by the opponents of the Jews – 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 (Dan.3:12 c.f. Dan.1:17-20). These people were angry that these ‘foreigners’ were chosen above them. They were determined to eliminate them. The king went into a rage. However, Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego responded to his threat with faith in God. – 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.” (Dan.3:17-18).
Q.3. How did God protect His servants in the fiery furnace? What was Nebuchadnezzar’s response? Does God always deliver like this? (Dan.3:24-30)
The Scriptures make it clear that God saves some, but also allows others to be martyred for their faith (Heb.11:32-40). Here God had another lesson to teach the king, his advisers, and his subjects. In dismay, the king cried – 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! (Dan.3:25). After their release and upon inspection – 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 (Dan 3:27). Nebuchadnezzar then changed his thinking – 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 (Dan.3:28).