Nebuchadnezzar declared, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him. They violated the king's command and risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Nebuchadnezzar declaredThe name "Nebuchadnezzar" is derived from the Akkadian "Nabu-kudurri-usur," meaning "Nabu, protect my heir." As the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful ruler known for his conquests and the grandeur of Babylon. His declaration here is significant because it marks a moment of recognition of the power of the God of Israel, despite his previous arrogance and idolatry. Historically, this reflects the tension between the polytheistic beliefs of Babylon and the monotheistic faith of the Jewish exiles. Blessed be the God The phrase "Blessed be" is a form of praise and acknowledgment of divine favor. In Hebrew, the word "barak" is often used, which means to kneel or to bless. This is a profound moment where a pagan king acknowledges the supremacy of the God of Israel, highlighting the theme of God's sovereignty over all nations and rulers. of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego These names are Babylonian, given to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, respectively. The use of their Babylonian names here emphasizes their status as exiles in a foreign land, yet their faithfulness to God remains unshaken. This serves as an inspiration for believers to maintain their identity and faith even in challenging environments. who has sent His angel The term "angel" in Hebrew is "malak," meaning messenger. This could refer to a divine being sent by God to protect and deliver. The presence of the angel in the fiery furnace is a powerful testament to God's intervention and protection of His faithful servants. It also prefigures the New Testament understanding of Christ as the ultimate deliverer. and delivered His servants The word "delivered" in Hebrew is "natsal," which means to rescue or save. This act of deliverance is a central theme in the Bible, illustrating God's power to save His people from physical and spiritual danger. It reassures believers of God's ability to rescue them from trials and tribulations. who trusted in Him Trust, or "batach" in Hebrew, signifies a deep reliance and confidence in God. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's trust in God, even in the face of death, exemplifies the faith that believers are called to have. Their unwavering trust serves as a model for Christians to rely on God's promises and faithfulness. They violated the king’s command The phrase "violated the king’s command" highlights the conflict between divine and earthly authority. The courage to disobey a royal decree for the sake of faith underscores the principle that God's law supersedes human laws. This is a call for believers to prioritize obedience to God over compliance with secular demands when they conflict. and risked their lives Risking their lives demonstrates the ultimate sacrifice and commitment to God. This act of bravery is reminiscent of the call to take up one's cross and follow Christ, as seen in the New Testament. It challenges believers to consider the cost of discipleship and the willingness to endure persecution for their faith. rather than serve or worship any god The refusal to serve or worship other gods is a testament to the exclusivity of worship that the God of Israel demands. This echoes the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3). It reinforces the call to monotheism and the rejection of idolatry. except their own God The phrase "their own God" personalizes the relationship between the exiles and the God of Israel. It emphasizes the covenant relationship that God has with His people, a relationship marked by faithfulness and exclusivity. This personal connection is a source of strength and identity for believers, reminding them of God's promises and presence in their lives. Persons / Places / Events 1. NebuchadnezzarThe king of Babylon who erected a golden statue and commanded all to worship it. His decree led to the testing of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's faith. 2. Shadrach, Meshach, and AbednegoJewish exiles in Babylon who refused to bow to the king's statue, demonstrating unwavering faith in God. 3. The Fiery FurnaceThe place of execution for those who disobeyed the king's command. It became a site of divine deliverance for the three faithful men. 4. The AngelSent by God to protect Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the furnace, often interpreted as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ or a divine messenger. 5. BabylonThe empire where these events took place, representing a culture in opposition to the worship of the one true God. Teaching Points Faith Under PressureShadrach, Meshach, and Abednego exemplify the courage to stand firm in faith despite severe consequences. Believers today are called to trust God in the face of societal pressures. Divine DeliveranceGod's intervention in the fiery furnace reminds us of His power to save and protect. This encourages believers to rely on God's sovereignty in their trials. Witness to the WorldThe faithfulness of these men led to a pagan king acknowledging the true God. Our steadfast faith can be a powerful testimony to those around us. Obedience Over ConformityThe refusal to bow to the statue highlights the importance of obeying God's commands over conforming to worldly demands. God's Presence in TrialsThe presence of the angel in the furnace assures us that God is with us in our most challenging moments, providing comfort and strength. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego challenge you to stand firm in your beliefs today? 2. In what ways can you identify "fiery furnaces" in your life where you need to trust in God's deliverance? 3. How can the account of these three men inspire you to be a witness to those who do not know God? 4. What are some modern-day "idols" that you might be tempted to bow to, and how can you resist them? 5. How does the presence of the angel in the furnace encourage you about God's presence in your own trials? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:3-5The commandment against idolatry, which Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego upheld by refusing to worship the golden statue. Isaiah 43:2God's promise to be with His people through trials, as seen in the deliverance from the fiery furnace. Acts 5:29The apostles' declaration to obey God rather than men, paralleling the resolve of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Hebrews 11:34The faith chapter, which speaks of those who "quenched the fury of the flames," likely referencing this event. People Abednego, Daniel, Meshach, Nebuchadnezzar, Obadiah, ShadrachPlaces Babylon, DuraTopics Abednego, Abed'nego, Abed-nego, Angel, Blessed, Bodies, Changed, Command, Defied, Delivered, Except, Faith, Fire, Kept, King's, Meshach, Messenger, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnez'zar, Nought, Obeisance, Praise, Rather, Rescued, Responded, Safe, Servants, Serve, Shadrach, Spake, Spoke, Trust, Trusted, Violating, Willing, Worship, Worshippers, YieldedDictionary of Bible Themes Daniel 3:28 1418 miracles, responses 4111 angels, servants 5257 civil authorities 5511 safety 5829 defiance 6738 rescue 7160 servants of the Lord 8031 trust, importance 8435 giving, of oneself 8624 worship, reasons 8625 worship, acceptable attitudes Daniel 3:28-29 5366 king 5931 resistance 8345 servanthood, and worship 8444 honouring God Daniel 3:28-30 8369 worthiness Library Harmless Fires 'Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king. 14. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, 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 … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Jordan: the Decisive Start. Matthew 3:13-17. Mark 1:9-1Luke 3:21-22. The Anvil of Experience: knowledge only through experience--the Fourth, Daniel 3:25.--three Hebrews, Daniel 3.--Babylonian premier, Daniel 6:16-23.--George Mueller--Jesus made perfect through experience, Hebrews 2:10. 5:8, 9. 7:28, l.c.--all our experiences, Hebrews 2:14-18. Philippians 2:7. Hebrews 4:15, except through sin, Hebrews 4:15, l.c. 7:26. 2 Corinthians 5:21, f.c. 1 Peter 2:22. 1 John 3:5, l.c.--Jesus' suffering, Philippians 2:6-8. Hebrews 2:9, 17, 18. 4:15. His obedience, Luke … S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus Three Names High on the Muster-Roll IF YOU READ the second chapter of the Book of Daniel, you will think that Nebuchadnezzar was not far from the kingdom. His dream had troubled him; but Daniel had explained it. Then the king made this confession to Daniel, "Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret." He acknowledged that Jehovah, the God of the Jews, was the greatest of gods, and was a great interpreter of secrets; and yet in a short time … Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891 The Song of the Three Children DANIEL iii. 16, 17, 18. O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 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. 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. We read this morning, instead of the Te Deum, the Song of the Three Children, beginning, 'Oh all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise … Charles Kingsley—The Good News of God The Power and Triumph of Faith. Dan 3:06 … John Newton—Olney Hymns The Lord Coming to his Temple The LORD , whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple; even the messenger of the covenant in whom ye delight: Behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like a fuller's soap, -- and he shall purify the sons of Levi -- that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. W hereunto shall we liken the people of this generation? and to what are they like? (Luke 7:31) … John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 The Second Commandment Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am o jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of then that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.' Exod 20: 4-6. I. Thou shalt not … Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments The Disciple, -- what is the Meaning and Purpose of the Cross... The Disciple,--What is the meaning and purpose of the cross, and why do pain and suffering exist in the world? The Master,--1. The cross is the key to heaven. At the moment when by My baptism I took the cross upon My shoulders for the sake of sinners, heaven was opened, and by means of My thirty-three years bearing of the cross and by death upon it, heaven, which by reason of sin was closed to believers, was for ever opened to them. Now as soon as believers take up their cross and follow Me they … Sadhu Sundar Singh—At The Master's Feet A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox. [In the Prospectus of our Publication it was stated, that one discourse, at least, would be given in each number. A strict adherence to this arrangement, however, it is found, would exclude from our pages some of the most talented discourses of our early Divines; and it is therefore deemed expedient to depart from it as occasion may require. The following Sermon will occupy two numbers, and we hope, that from its intrinsic value, its historical interest, and the illustrious name of its author, it … John Knox—The Pulpit Of The Reformation, Nos. 1, 2 and 3. A Cloud of Witnesses. "By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, … Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews Fragrant Spices from the Mountains of Myrrh. "Thou Art all Fair, My Love; There is no Spot in Thee. " --Song of Solomon iv. 7. FRAGRANT SPICES FROM THE MOUNTAINS OF MYRRH. HOW marvellous are these words! "Thou art all fair, My love; there is no spot in thee." The glorious Bridegroom is charmed with His spouse, and sings soft canticles of admiration. When the bride extols her Lord there is no wonder, for He deserves it well, and in Him there is room for praise without possibility of flattery. But does He who is wiser than Solomon condescend to praise this sunburnt Shulamite? Tis even so, for these are His own words, and were … Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come Daniel Daniel is called a prophet in the New Testament (Matt. xxiv. 15). In the Hebrew Bible, however, the book called by his name appears not among the prophets, but among "the writings," between Esther and Ezra. The Greek version placed it between the major and the minor prophets, and this has determined its position in modern versions. The book is both like and unlike the prophetic books. It is like them in its passionate belief in the overruling Providence of God and in the sure consummation of His … John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Daniel 3:28 NIVDaniel 3:28 NLTDaniel 3:28 ESVDaniel 3:28 NASBDaniel 3:28 KJV
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