(Reflections and notes on Daniel 3 – the series so far had an introduction before considering the way Daniel and his friends settled in the strange land and in the last episode there were explorations in how the righteous emerged from a ridiculous situation.)
It is an incredible story to read for a number of reasons.
This is no longer about the Jews who came to settle in Babylon. this is about the Jews who through the favour of God on their lives and their commitment to excellence have now established themselves in the Babylonian government. It’s no longer about Mishael, Azariah and Hannaniah. It’s about Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. It’s about how those who are now firmly established in the establishment defy the essential edict of that establishment to make known that their primary identity is not sourced in those who label them but sourced in the God who created them. The God who they serve. The God who they know has a tremendous track record of delivering people and who in any event is worthy of worship alone – with no other god being worthy of worship.
It’s remarkable looking at what these officials who do not forsake their heritage choose to do. Faith is often tested not through how we avoid the fiery trials, but how we endure through it. You can imagine it would have been a scenario like this that Peter, centuries later, would refer to when he offered this word of encouragement to believers in Jesus Christ:
Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
1 Peter 4:12-13 (NLT)
What is it about the faith of these men that allows them to be threatened with their lives in a most excruciating way of disposal and still face it? What is it about their confidence in God that makes them so set to defy the ruling power of the day? It’s remarkable faith and trust in God indeed to go through. Much as we celebrate the outcome, there’s still something to consider about that kind of faith and howe we develop that as we get to know God more and see that faith is not inactive mental nodding at a statement that is agreeable to us. Faith acts, faith trusts and where necessary out of allegiance to who we hold most valuable in all of life, faith defies.
Faith defies because as is often the case in these scenarios, there is an issue of whose god is greater. Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego clearly heard the stories of how their nation was established. A story of slavery and liberation. A story where when the odds were stacked against God’s people, He came through triumphantly. Perhaps even a story that included God’s prophets boldly proclaiming the need for the people to return to God or He would hand them over to the enemy and that word coming through. Maybe even a story involving the disaster of the Northern tribes of Israel who had prophets who challenged and defied the foreign gods and through tests of faith showed God to be greater than all others.
There’s a substantial catalogue of events to show that the God of Israel is not a dumb idol made of wood or stone or even a golden image for bowing to. God is the master of the elements and creator of everything, winning battle after batter showing His great power for those who their trust in Him. With so much emphasis put on cultural heritage and the history of different peoples, it’s worth wondering if sufficient emphasis for the believer is given on their heritage and how it is about the works of the God who created everything.
That is worth considering in the light of the ruling authority of the day. Nebuchadnezzar might have thought his accomplishments were significant. It’s clearly something worth considering when he can command the officals throughout the province who can see this image he has made are to worship it. He clearly has the kind of rule that can intimidate and be asserted in ways that ensure people just go with the programme for a quiet life. Elsewhere I’ve noted how that same kind of intimidation in power sought to get those who followed Jesus to declare someone else was Lord and the consequences for failing to observe that dictate. The character of Nebuchadnezzar is noteworthy both in his imposition of worship and his 180 degree turn when he came across the greater power.
It should also not be overlooked how those in his administration were keen to alert the king to those who were defying his orders. As though it’s bad enough that there was an order given to worship an idol, but to know there are peple keen to look for the downfall of others by these kind of means. It paints a picture of a system that is not geared towards the respect of the faiths of others when it ocmes to it. It shows a way of society that was intolerant of defiance to the pressing worship of the day. That was the case in an overt way in the time of Nebuchadnezzar. Is it really that different today? I some areas of the globe it’s not that different. Even in those which make a nominal suggestion of being run on Judaeo-Christian foundations can still look to impose and assert trends, values and norms that oppose the rule of God. Those who refuse to bow to these idols are likewise threatened and put in oppressive situations.
This is why it is incredible that these three men commit to each other and to their God. They are willing to put their trust in God against all odds and we have this glorious scene of them in the furnace that should have consumed them. They are there unblemished and they are not alone. Another figure is with them a distinct figure for even Nebuchadnezzar to witness and comment. They put their trust in God and they didn’t walk alone. They put their trust in God and He did not forsake them. Even through the fire their God walked with them. That is such a word of comfort and assurance. If we are not ashamed of God, He will not be ashamed of us. Let us hope we can take this story seriously as we engage in a world that is not designed to encourage the sole worship of the Creator of the Universe.
It’s Peter again who has a great word to connect the challenges that believers face with the example we see here of these courageous Hebrew ambassadors of Yahweh.
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT)
Questions from Daniel 3
What do you learn about the character of God in this episode?
What do you learn about the character of faith from the three Hebrew men?
Are there demands that are subtly or overtly placed on you to worship things other than the one true God?
How does Jesus as King differ from Nebuchadnezzar’s depiction of being king?
What episodes in your life can you recall having to go through rather than getting out of – on reflection what do you learn from these episodes?
Why are people looking for the downfall of the Jews? Why would there be forces looking for your downfall?
Three men took a stand for faith in God. Who would take a stand with you for faith in God in Jesus Christ and why?
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 
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