Lesson 6: A Fiery Furnace and A Fiery Faith

Daniel 3:1-18

In this lesson we meet three men who refused to compromise their beliefs.

Daniel 3 provides a mighty lesson about the integrity that springs from a deeply rooted belief in the Word of God. 

In this chapter, Daniel is nowhere to be seen. Apparently, he is off in another part of the kingdom, seeing to the king’s business. All we hear about are his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-neggo.

THE COMPONENTS OF INTEGRITY

Up to this point in the book, Daniel’s three friends have been standing in the shadows. They are part of the story only so far as Daniel is part of the story. Now they are at the center stage; now they take the limelight.

Now isolated from their leader, we will see what they are really made of.

And what men of character they turn out to be.

1. Conviction of Purpose

They are men of integrity who are exactly the same regardless of their circumstances. When things were going well, they were determined to serve God. Now, when things are not going well at all, they are still determined to serve God.

Their convictions are firm, their resolve unchanged. They were men of firm conviction who are willing to stand by their beliefs.

1. Courageous Behavior

These men are men of courage. They know well the atrocities that Nebuchadnezzar is capable of inflicting on the subjects who displease him. They are familiar with his cruelty and very knowledgeable of his awful power.

They realized that God’s will might be different from what might be pleasant. But they did not make their own obedience contingent upon God doing that which was congenial to them.

1. Confession of Faith

These men had publicly committed their lives to their God. Their conversion were deep, from the heart. 

Certainly, they could have named several reasons to compromise their faith:

First, Daniel was absent. How could they be expected to stand their ground without the encouragement of their leader?

Second, they knew the terrible punishment that awaited them. To be consumed in flame is one of the most terrible deaths that one can suffer.

Third, they could have reasoned that this would be a great opportunity to move up in position.

Fourth, they might have hesitated at the thought of losing their current posts of leadership.

But none of these things meant anything to them. They knew what was right and were determined to do it.

THE PATH TO IDOLATRY

A long interval has passed between the events of Daniel 2 and 3, probably something between 16 and 20 years.

1. The Dedication Ceremony (3:1-3)

The image was grotesque and odd-looking. It was 90 feet tall, made of wood and covered with gold, and could be seen for miles around.

When the time came, Nebuchadnezzar sent for all of his satraps, prefects, governors, judges, treasurers, lawyers, sheriffs, and all the royal ambassadors.

1. The Decree Commanded (3:4-7)

Once everyone had been gathered, Nebuchadnezzar directed a herald to instruct the crowd to fall down and worship the image at the sound of an ancient orchestra.

There were at least two reasons for Nebuchadnezzar’s decree:

First, it reflected his desire to create a unified religion to meld together his vast empire.

Second, it reflected his impious desire to deify himself.

Someone has estimated that in this royal assemblage, there may have been as many as 300,000 representatives from all over the vast empire.

1. The Devious Conspiracy (3:8-12)

The Chaldeans, the “wise men,” are furious that the three friends refuse to bow down to the image. No doubt they are jealous that Daniel and his three friends have been elevated above them.

They tell the king not only these men refuse to bow down to his idol, but that in so doing they have refused to “regard” the king. They tell him it is an insult. 

1. The Direct Confrontation (3:13-15)

At once the three friends are hustled before the king and the “charges” are read against them. Can it really be true? 

The king gives them one more chance - it they are ready to fall down and worship the image when they hear the band begin to play, their lives will be spared. But if they refuse, they will immediately be cast into the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual. And then he throws out a challenge: “And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”

THE REFUSAL OF IMMORALITY

One of the greatest statements in all the Bible is found in verses 16-18.

They simply stood their ground and told the king there were not about to worship his lifeless statue, Their God could protect them, if He so chose; but regardless of what happened, they would serve Him to the end.

That is the kind of faith that we so desperately need today. Their courage was based n their conviction, and their conviction was that God was able.