1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. 3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it. 4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Shortly (or a long time after) the events of chapter 2, Nebuchadnezzar forgets the lessons learned about God and actually erects a giant statue on Dura. In Dura today, a large foundation has been discovered, one that can support the statue described in scripture. The 90 feet tall and 9 feet wide imply a gold-covered obelisk, which would have been a common structure for the time. But the main issue about this is that Nebuchadnezzar creates a system in which all allegiance is to be paid to him. He does this by gathering all of his officials and guaranteeing that they will enforce the worship of this object. If you can imagine, when a political figure of our time comes forward with a new sweeping measure, he typically has a bunch of supporters standing behind him. It’s theatrics, but it serves a purpose of showing unity. The people fall into line immediately. How does this happen? We have to remember that Nebuchadnezzar has a track record of being a cruel ruler. The people know that if they go up against Nebuchadnezzar, they will die and their families will also die.
8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! 10 Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”
The astrologers come forward and accuse three of Daniel’s friends, Jews, that they are not abiding by Nebuchadnezzar’s decree. Now you’ll remember back in chapter 1 that Daniel was promoted to higher office, and so were others in his group. These astrologers, who were humiliated by Daniel’s ability to interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, are out for revenge. The’ve called out these men. The men did not formally protest worship of the statue, but refrained from worship. They obeyed God rather than man.
13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”
Nebuchadnezzar’s furious rage is subdued. But he gives them an opportunity to squirm out of it. He asks them first if it is true. Second, he reiterates what they are supposed to do, and even invokes the fact that there is no god that can save them from this fate. In short, he’s asking them if they understand what the rules are, and perhaps, if there was a miscommunication, they can save their skin.
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[c] from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
They don’t need to defend themselves. They believe that their faith in God will save them. God’s will is superior to their own needs. And if God does not save them, that’s okay too. If they did what the king commanded, they would be breaking several of the 10 Commandments. They will never worship Nebuchadnezzar’s gods or his image of gold.
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.
Nebuchadnezzar reacts with fury against the three men’s challenge. He orders the furnace to be seven times hotter than normal so they will burn up quickly. As a tyrant, Nebuchadnezzar knows how to quell any resistance. These men will be an example of those who do not comply with the king’s wishes. The furnace is so hot it kills the soldiers who throw the three men of God into the fire.
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” 25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”
Nebuchadnezzar is witness to one of the most amazing scenes in scripture. He sees four men in the fire! They are walking around inside a burning furnace, their ropes burned off. And there’s someone else in there with them, who Nebuchadnezzar says looks like a “son of the gods.” Many believe this is a Christophany, or an early sighting of Jesus in the old testament.
26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.
Nebuchadnezzar now realizes the power of God and announces them as the servants of the most high God. The figure within the furnace protected them, and they weren’t even burned.
God allowed this situation to escalate. Because they stayed true to God, God was able to do great things.
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.
The servants of God completely surrendered themselves to God in the moment they needed to stand up. Their courage is seen by the king, who recognizes the true power of God.
29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar makes a decree of protection for these men. The three were promoted. The worship of the true God was secure. The king recognized the true God. His proclamation protected God.This changes Nebuchadnezzar. He understands the power of God and perhaps the futility of his own gods.
By maing the choice to obey God instead of being “bullied” into compliance with the ungodly rules, these three made significant strides in growing a stronger Jewsih community while God’s blessing continued to come.
God has a reason for the things that happe, even if we don’t understand why. Our job is to follow Him and the teaching He gives us.