The king of Babylon proves in this chapter what we observed at the close of chapter two. He viewed the God of Daniel as only one among many gods. He still is very much a pagan. God’s power will be demonstrated again, but Nebuchadnezzar still will not learn his lesson.
This colossal image of gold was no doubt an outgrowth of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Had not Daniel said that the king was the head of gold? Were not all the kingdoms described by Daniel to proceed from the head? Daniel had also said that God had given him a kingdom, power, strength and glory.
This great image then would set forth the majesty, glory and dominion of the king and his great kingdom. Nebuchadnezzar was probably puffed up with vain pride. It is doubtful that this image was solid gold but rather was overlaid with gold. Much of the furniture of the Tabernacle was not pure gold but wood overlaid with gold.
When the image was completed the king called for all the dignitaries of the kingdom to attend the dedication. It must have been a large and costly affair.
In the midst of all the festivities comes the command, “Fall down and worship the gold images that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up.” Everyone refusing to do so would be cast into a fiery furnace especially heated to a high temperature. His was a common method of execution among the Assyrians and Chaldeans.
This threat would affect relatively few since almost everyone would think nothing of bowing to the king’s image. Even those opposed to paganism might think they could do so and no harm would be done.
There were a few who would not bow however. These were the three friends of Daniel. But what about Daniel? He does not seem to be involved in any way? Why was not Daniel involved?
He may have been in some other part of the kingdom at the time or else he occupied such a position of power and strength he could not be attacked.
In fact, he may have wanted to see this acted out to demonstrate who the true God was. Not only did these three Jews refuse to worship the golden image but it seems that it was a well-known fact that they did not worship any of the pagan gods. No doubt the reason why these three were reported to the king was resentment over the fact they did not honour any of the pagan gods of the Babylonians.
The reaction of Nebuchadnezzar was rage and fury. The three men are immediately brought before the king. However, he was willing to give them another chance. If they would change their minds and fall down and worship the image all would be well with them. If they continued to rebel and show insolence toward the king’s command they would immediately be placed in the furnace.
Surely, they would not dare to refuse him. He may have felt that in view of what Daniel had said about him, Daniel 2:37-38, to resist him would be to resist God since God had made him the head of gold. They should be subject to him because their God would not deliver them out of his hands.
We must admire the faith and courage of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Their answer was blunt and to the point. Regardless of God’s actions on their part whether he would choose to rescue them or permit them to die they would not serve any of the gods of Babylon nor worship the gold image. There is but one true God and he only would they worship.
The king is so enraged that he commands that the furnace be heated seven times as hot as what was normal. So hot was the furnace that when the three men were thrown into the furnace the men responsible for casting them in were killed by the flames and intense heat.
Since we do not know the shape or form of the furnace we do not know exactly how these men were consumed by the heat. Probably because of the urgency of the king’s command in their haste they became careless. The fact that they perished served to illustrate the miraculous delivery of the three Jews.
The three “fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.” The furnace was such that it permitted the king to see into it and when he looked he observed them walking about evidently no longer bound and unhurt. Also, a fourth man is observed with them. Who was this person? The rendering, “Like the Son of God” by some versions is not a correct rendering. A more correct rendering would be “like a son of the gods” or a supernatural being. Who was this supernatural person? In verse 28 Nebuchadnezzar calls him an “angel.”
This is very likely the case. God has often sent his angels to minister to those in trouble. This would not be anything unusual.
The king calls out to the three men as “servants of the most high God.” He calls for all of them to come out. Obviously, he was greatly shaken by this turn of events. They came forth unhurt, without a hair singed and not even the smell of fire upon them. No doubt a complete examination was made to determine their condition. It was indeed incredible to all who had come for the dedication and had bowed to the image.
Nebuchadnezzar again goes into one of his elaborate speeches of praise of the God of the Jews. Obviously, God was able to deliver them out the hand of the king and could have turned on the king for ordering the three to be executed. Such a god must not be antagonized in any way. He must be praised and honoured.
Nebuchadnezzar still is not converted but remains thoroughly pagan. To further offset any repercussions from his decree which backfired on him he has the three men promoted. A royal decree forbad any misrepresentation or speaking against the God of the Jews, “because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.”
God had overruled the king’s word. History is not in man’s hands, and the government is not on man’s shoulders. God is supreme and is in control of the fortunes and destiny of men and nations. Nor is the Calvinistic sense that man has no control over his destiny, but in the sense that God overrules to bring about His desires in His own way and in His own time.
Sometimes the Christian may feel that evil has the upper hand but God has not laid down His sceptre. He is still on His throne ruling the universe. “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His anointed, saying, ‘Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision……Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him” Psalm 2:1-4 / Psalm 2:11-12.
First, the example of these three Jews speaks loudly to Christians today. There is no place or set of circumstances in which it is too difficult to be faithful to God. We often invent excuses but every Christians can be faithful to God if they so will.
Second, God is our refuge in time of trouble. He is our only and real deliverer. When man puts his trust in self he will always fail. Education, philosophy, wealth or fame cannot deliver us—only God. We have no other recourse but to surrender to His terms.
Third, when acting by faith trials can drag the Christian from obscurity into fame and then chase him up to glory.
Fourth, compromise has always been man’s way of getting out of difficult situations. But with God it is either, or. No man can serve two masters. He must make up his mind who he will serve. Man, is wise to put his trust in God and serve Him.
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."