DANIEL SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 3.26

Gleanings from the Book of Daniel:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

DANIEL

Chapter Three

The Golden Image of Nebuchadnezzar

(The Fiery Furnace)

 

 

Prologue

The ceremony had come to a sudden halt. Nebuchadnezzar and all his cabinet members had just witnessed a miracle from God. Because they failed to worship the golden image the King had constructed, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were ordered thrown into a fiery furnace. When the King looked, instead of three men walking around amid the fire, there were four. The fourth person looked like the Son of God (v. 25). God had not allowed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be harmed by the fire because He was with them. This is a beautiful picture of God’s faithfulness, especially giving the assurance that He will preserve the nation Israel in the Last Days.

 

God supernaturally protected and delivered the three young Hebrew men from the blazing flames. The point stressed: When God delivers, He delivers completely. He has, and will continue to do so in many biblical passages, specifically:

1. Not one Israelite perished in the Red Sea crossing (cf. Exodus 29:22, 29-30)

 

2. Not one Assyrian soldier survived to attack Jerusalem in the days of Hezekiah (cf. 2 Kings 19:35)

 

 

3. Not one of the 144,000 will cease in the Great Tribulation (cf. Revelation 7:4; 14:1)

 

In the final verses of Chapter 3, observe how God triumphs…

 

 

(Verse 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.

 

The Wonderment of Nebuchadnezzar

After miraculously observing Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walking around in the flaming fire, Nebuchadnezzar cautiously approached the furnace and conversed with them.

 

The pride that once clouded his mind had now been forgotten. Nebuchadnezzar beckoned the men to come forth (hither or here). Upon his request, the three young men came forth from the fiery furnace. Now, the King was forced to admit Israel’s most high God displayed power far greater than any of the Babylonian gods.

 

 

 

(Verse 27)

 

And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellers, 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.

 

The Effects of God’s Miracle

The rulers of the Empire’s provinces witnessed an outstanding miracle and also found it hard to believe what they had seen.

Consider four components of their observation:

1. The fire did not affect their bodies

 

2. The hair on their heads was not even singed

 

3. The coats they wore were not altered

a.  One translation recognizes coats as shoes (babouche’s or oriental slippers), reminiscence to the wilderness experience (cf. Deuteronomy 8:4; 29:5; Nehemiah 9:21)

 

b.  Other translations use clothes, robes, garments, trousers, cloaks, or hosen. This harkens back to the difficulty of translating Aramaic into Hebrew

 

4. The smell of fire or smoke was not upon their clothes

 

Consequently and interestingly, only the cords that bound them were damaged by the fire, ironically the only item belonging to the Babylonian Empire.

 

 

(Verse 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.

 

The Acknowledgement of Nebuchadnezzar

King Nebuchadnezzar recognized the omnipotence of the almighty and living God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Instead of worshipping the golden image, he, therefore, issued a mandate for all to honor the God of Israel (cf. 2:47).

 

Surprisingly, the King came to terms with several things as he likewise did in Chapter 2:

1. He praised the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

 

2. He acknowledged their God sent His angel (messenger) to deliver them from the fire

 

3. He recognized the three servants put their trust in their God

 

4. He confessed their God changed his word, i.e., his decree

 

5. He admitted the three yielded their bodies to the God of Israel (cf. Romans 6:3; 8:5; 12:1) as opposed to not serving, sacrificing, or worshiping  any other god                       

 

Paradoxically, the renowned king who ordered the world to bow before his image was now bowing to the King of the world. Wherefore, as a result of God’s presence and power, He obtained the glory He deserved, only this time from a Gentile nation.

 

 

(Verse 29)

 

Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss (offensive) 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.

 

The Decree of Nebuchadnezzar

King Nebuchadnezzar issued a directive to all the people, nations, and languages in his Empire. A penalty of death was imposed upon anyone who spoke against or slandered the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (see 2:5).

Reprimands for such actions are stipulated:

1. All would be cut into pieces, including their families

 

2. All would have their homes become a dunghill (refuge heap or outhouse)

 

Even though Nebuchadnezzar was not converted at this point, He was convinced none of the Babylonian gods had the presence and power of Israel’s God. Their true God was able to deliver!

 

 

(Verse 30)

 

Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.

 

The Promotion of the Hebrews

Now, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are once again in favor of the King. Whatever former rank they enjoyed in the city, Nebuchadnezzar promoted them to higher positions over the province of Babylon. The Greek Septuagint (LXX) of the Old Testament reads with more particulars: “He (Nebuchadnezzar) advanced them to be governors over all the Jews that were in his kingdom.”

 

 

Epilogue

Daniel is never mentioned in Chapter 3. Favorably, the chapter is a thrilling account of three young captives, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego having unwavering faith. And, They remained true to the true God of Israel.

 

In their experiences and journey of faith, however, God put the three men through challenging trials to test their faith. Also, throughout their trials God purified them through the fire of testing, thus setting a godly example for many generations to follow.

Many references in Scripture elucidate this principle. Some encompass:

In the Old Testament

Psalm 12:6 - The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

 

Job 23:10 - But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

 

Isaiah 48:10 – Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. (NKJV)

 

In the New Testament

James - 1: 2-4 – My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

 

James 1:12 – Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.

 

1 Peter 1:6-7 – Wherein ye greatly rejoice though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

 

As a result of being faithful to God, they quenched the fury of fire with their faith (cf. Hebrews 11:34). And likewise proving the Lord faithfully protects His children:

1 Samuel 2:30 – Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before Me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from Me; for them that honour Me I will honour, and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.

 

Furthermore, their actions are contrasted to the display of God ever ready to deliver His people against Gentile gods who doom their people to judgment.

 

Chapter 3 begins with Nebuchadnezzar trying to unite his kingdom under a one-world religion (Vv. 1, 5), whereas the chapter ends with the acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty and permitting His worship.  In addition, Chapter 3 is a preparation for the next chapter. Chapter 4 focuses on Nebuchadnezzar's testimony and conversion. But knowing God, He usually places obstacles in the way, thus testing a person’s faith.

 

In the next chapter, Nebuchadnezzar will once again experience another trial, dream, and its interpretation as he is prepped for salvation.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1. In what way did the three men survive the fire?

2. What did Nebuchadnezzar say to the three men?

3. What did the rulers of the Empire witness?

4. What item was burned?

5. What did Nebuchadnezzar acknowledge?

6. What was the penalty of the King’s decree?

7. How does God test one’s faith?

 

 

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 DANIEL SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 3.19

Gleanings from the Book of Daniel:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

DANIEL

Chapter Three

                            The Golden Image of Nebuchadnezzar        

(The Fiery Furnace)

 

 

Prologue

The dedication ceremony came to an abrupt halt. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were about to be cast into a blazing fiery furnace because they refused to bow down and worship the golden image. King Nebuchadnezzar ordered the three Hebrew princes to be brought before him for questioning, for they were accused of being disloyal, not only to the gods of Babylon but also to the King himself.

 

Having been awarded prominent positions in the Babylonian Empire, it appears Nebuchadnezzar was giving them a second chance to recant their actions. However, their faith and convictions in the one true God of Heaven superseded any compliance or punishment. And, under no circumstance were they willing to compromise (cf. v. 18).

 

 

1. The Description of the Image (v. 1)

2. The Dedication of the Image (Vv. 2-3)

3. The Demand to Worship the Image (Vv. 4-7)

4. The Denouncement of the Jews (Vv. 8-15)

5. The Decision of the Jews (Vv. 16-18)

6. The Discipline of the Jews (Vv. 19-25)

(Verse 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.

 

The Reaction of the King

After being publically defiled, Nebuchadnezzar became infuriated. His uncontrollable temper flew into a rage. As a result of their obstinacy, the form of his visage was changed, i.e., his countenance or facial expression was altered against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Their actions left Nebuchadnezzar with no recourse but to sentence the three to execution by fire.

 

When a person is controlled by fury, one cannot think rationally. God’s wisdom warns against such behaviour:

Proverbs 14:29 – He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly.

 

Therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated

The Rashness of the King

In his state of mind, King Nebuchadnezzar hastily commanded the fiery furnace be heated seven times more than usual. So, one [in] seven times more is a Greek idiom possibly indicating an indefinite number, or as hot as possible.

 

Proverbs render another bit of wisdom concerning the King's actions:

Proverbs 26:16 – The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit (eye) than seven men that can render a reason.

 

The Rationale of the King

Turning up the heat would be irrational. If the fire in the furnace was hotter than usual, then the three men would burn instantly because of the intense flames. But, if Nebuchadnezzar wanted to slowly torture them, turning down the heat would suffice.

 

The Reasoning of God

As part of God’s plan, it was advantageous for the furnace to be seven times hotter. From His standpoint, the hotter the furnace, the more impressive would be God’s miracle. It becomes more interesting as the drama unfolds…

 

 

(Verse 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.

 

King Nebuchadnezzar, in his obstinate temper, dictated the mightiest men (men of valor, valiant warriors, or elite soldiers)  in his army to provide two services:

1. Tie up or bind the three men

2. Toss them into the fiery furnace

 

 

(Verse 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.

 

Death by Fiery Furnace

As commanded, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were bound wearing their garments and thrown into the midst of the raging fire.

Their clothing was thusly itemized:

1. They were wearing coats

2. They were wearing hosen (trousers)

3. They were wearing hats

4. They were wearing other raiments

 

By notating their attire, it was likely, either they were bound in haste, or by wearing clothes, they would have been consumed by the fire much quicker. No mortal would have survived a second in this raging fire.

 

Nonetheless, this action was unusual. It was customary for most criminals to be stripped before execution, and their clothes recycled.  Feasibly, this may be an antecedent of the latter days when Israel shall pass through the furnace of affliction, amidst the Great Tribulation Period, when they will be miraculously preserved.

 

Observable are two false prophets of Israel whom the king of Babylon disposed of by casting them into a fiery furnace, a common punishment amongst the Assyrians and Babylonians:

1. Zedekiah

2. Ahab

 

Jeremiah 29:21-23 - Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in My name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes…The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire; Because they have committed villany (folly) in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours' wives, and have spoken lying words in My name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD.

 

 

(Verse 22)

 

Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

 

The Fate of the Mighty Men

The flames were so hot that the king’s mighty men were burnt to a crisp before Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego fell into the fiery furnace.

 

 

(Verse 23)

 

And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

 

The Fate of Daniel’s Friends

While it may have troubled Nebuchadnezzar to witness his indoctrinated men perish, he was pleased to set an example of disobedience to his audience.  Firmly bound, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego fell headstrong into the mist of the scorching fire.

 

 

(Verse 24)

 

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellers, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.

 

The Lord’s Deliverance

Never expecting to see Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego still alive, Nebuchadnezzar was astonished at the miracle he was beholding. Quickly, he rose from his seat and questioned his counsellers (noblemen, or Ministers of State) with a perplexing demeanor…

 

Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?

The advisors to the King answered in awe…

 

True, O king

In all probability, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were imputing the words of their prophet Isaiah:

Isaiah 43:1b-3a - Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

 

 

(Verse 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.

 

This passage reveals Nebuchadnezzar had come face to face with a miracle from the true God of Israel. And in effect, the King exclaimed to his noblemen, Look, I see four things that constitute a miracle:

1. The four men were loose and not bound

Notice the emphasis, repetition, and five-fold progression on the word bound (fetter, securely tied up).

a.  Bind (v. 20)

b.  Bound (v. 21)

c.  Bound (v. 23)

d.  Bound (v. 24)

e.  Loose (v. 25)

 

God performs miracles. A multiplicity of the miraculous is interspersed throughout the Bible. Listed are a few examples:

1. The account of Creation (cf. Genesis 1)

2. The parting of the Red Sea (cf. Exodus 14:21)

3. The sun standing still  (cf. Joshua 10:13)

4. Jonah inside a great fish (cf. Jonah 1:17)

5. Jesus walking on water (cf. Matthew 14:25)

6. The raising of Lazarus from the dead (cf. John 11:44)

7. The Resurrection of Jesus (cf. Matthew 28:6)

 

2. The fire had burned away the fetters but left the three young Hebrews untouched. However, one extra person was with them.

 

3. The four men were walking in the middle of the fire

Not only were the four men unbound in a fire seven times hotter, but were in the middle of the flames as Nebuchadnezzar watched them walking around freely.

 

4. The four men were unhurt and unsinged

Amazingly, the only thing the fire destroyed was what bound them.

 

5. The fourth man had the form of the Son of God

Son of God is better translated like a son of the gods, i.e., the appearance of a divine being. This expression was a common Semite expression in antiquity. Also notice, it is not the Son of God, but the form of, or like some supernatural being. 

 

Questions:

Who was this fourth person?

 

Answer:

There are a couple of suppositions as to the fourth person’s identity:

1. Nebuchadnezzar believed this person was an angel

This viewpoint is acknowledged by him later in verse 28.

 

2. Some believe it was a Christophany

    Many understand any Christophany to be a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ in human form.

 

Theophany and Christophany

There are some diverse views on the meaning of these two terms. The best clarification may include:

A. Theophany

An appearance of God in some form on earth or in Heaven, namely:

1. When God appeared and talked from a burning bush to Moses (cf. Exodus 3:2, 4ff)

 

2. When God went before Israel in the pillar of fire by night (cf. Exodus 13:21-22)

 

 

3. When Isaiah had a vision and spoke to the Lord upon His throne (cf. Isaiah 6)

 

B. Christophany

A pre-incarnate manifestation of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament, or post-Resurrection appearance of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, that is:

1. When God walked in the Garden with Adam and Eve (cf. Genesis 3:8)

 

2. When the Angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrians after Hezekiah’s prayer (2 Kings 19:35)

 

3. When Jesus appeared to the Twelve in the upper room (cf.  Luke 24:36-43)

 

C. Theophany and Christophany are widely used interchangeably for the designation of Jesus Christ as pre-incarnate 

 

In a surprising turn of events, the next session examines why Nebuchadnezzar issued another edict, this time to acknowledge the God of Israel.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1. Why was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury?

2. What do seven times hotter mean?

3. How were the three Hebrews treated?

4. What was the fate of the King’s mighty men?

5. What did Nebuchadnezzar observe?

6. Who resembled the form of the fourth man?

7. What is a Christophany?

 

 

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