1 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.
2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
3 Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, 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.
4 Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,
5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:
6 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
7 Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
8 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.
9 They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.
10 Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:
11 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
12 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.
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.
14 Nebuchadnezzar spake 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?
15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, 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?
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
17 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.
18 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.
19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
20 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.
21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.
25 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.
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 counsellors, 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.
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.
The third chapter of the Book of Daniel is a dramatic narrative that explores the themes of faith, loyalty, obedience, and divine deliverance. It presents a profound example of unyielding faith in the face of oppression and mortal danger. The chapter recounts the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three Jewish young men who defied the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar's decree to worship his golden image. Their steadfast faith in God, even when threatened with death, is a powerful testament to their belief and the sovereignty of the Almighty God over all earthly powers.
The chapter begins with King Nebuchadnezzar erecting a colossal golden image and issuing a decree that at the sound of musical instruments, all peoples, nations, and languages should bow down and worship the golden image. Anyone who refused to obey this decree would be thrown into a fiery furnace. This narrative sets the stage for a conflict between the king's absolute power and the religious conviction of the three Jewish men. The golden image can be seen as a symbol of the king's tyranny and his attempt to enforce uniformity and absolute obedience among his subjects. The command to worship the golden image also presents a clear violation of the Jewish faith, which strictly forbids idolatry.
Despite the king's decree, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to bow down and worship the golden image. This act of defiance is not driven by arrogance or rebellion, but by their unwavering faith in God. They choose to obey God's commandments rather than comply with the king's decree, even if it means facing death. Their decision is a testament to their devotion and commitment to their faith. It highlights the central theme of the chapter, which is the supremacy of God's laws over earthly mandates.
Upon hearing of their defiance, King Nebuchadnezzar orders Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be thrown into the fiery furnace. The king's fury and the punishment he inflicts on the three men serve to heighten the tension and highlight the severity of the situation they face. However, instead of being consumed by the flames, they are miraculously unharmed. Not only that, a fourth figure appears in the furnace with them, described as having the appearance of "a son of the gods". This divine intervention is a clear demonstration of God's protection and deliverance. It underscores the theme of divine sovereignty and vindicates the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
The miraculous survival of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego prompts King Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge the power of their God. He issues a new decree, stating that anyone who speaks against their God will be punished. This sudden change in the king’s attitude signifies the triumph of faith over tyranny. It highlights the invincibility of God's power and the importance of steadfast faith in the face of adversity.
The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel Chapter 3 serves as a powerful narrative that imparts several spiritual and moral lessons. It emphasizes the importance of faith, courage, and loyalty to God, even when faced with life-threatening situations. It also highlights the power of God to deliver those who trust in Him.
This chapter is a vivid demonstration of the biblical principle found in Proverbs 3:5-6, which encourages believers to trust in the Lord with all their heart and lean not on their own understanding. It teaches that when we acknowledge God in all our ways, He will make our paths straight. The story of the three men is a clear testament to this truth. Their unwavering faith and trust in God, despite the threat of death, resulted in their miraculous deliverance and the acknowledgement of God's supremacy by a pagan king.
Moreover, the narrative offers valuable insights into the nature of true faith. It underscores that faith is not merely about following religious rituals or doctrines, but about having a personal and intimate relationship with God that is characterized by trust, obedience, and love. This kind of faith is not swayed by circumstances or threats but remains steadfast and unyielding, even in the face of mortal danger.
The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego also serves as a powerful reminder of the sovereignty of God over earthly powers. Despite the king's decree and the threat of the fiery furnace, God was able to protect and deliver His faithful servants. This demonstrates that no matter how powerful earthly rulers may seem, they are ultimately subject to the sovereign will of God. It is a comforting reminder that those who put their trust in God will never be put to shame.
In conclusion, the third chapter of the Book of Daniel offers a compelling narrative that explores the themes of faith, obedience, divine deliverance, and the sovereignty of God. It provides a powerful testament to the supremacy of God's laws over earthly mandates and serves as a reminder of the importance of having unwavering faith in God, even in the face of adversity. Through the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, it imparts valuable spiritual and moral lessons that are relevant to believers today.
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