Session 2: The Furnace

Session Overview

Creedal Statement

And God spoke all these words, saying,
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.

Key Elements

• Key Passage - Daniel 3:1–30
• Scripture Memory - Know therefore this day and take to heart that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other. Deuteronomy 4:39
• Catechism Question - Q: What does God require of us first and foremost? A: Love.

Introduction

Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance. Surely they will say of Me, “In the Lord alone are righteousness and strength.”

There are very few who in their hearts do not believe in God, but what they will not do is give Him exclusive right of way … They are not ready to promise full allegiance to God alone. Many a professing Christian is a stumbling-block because his worship is divided. On Sunday he worships God; on week days God has little or no place in his thoughts.

God wants first place in your life! He will settle for no less. Not only does God deserve our exclusive worship, but his preeminence is the source of our greatest joy. Without God occupying this place of utmost importance, we cannot enjoy the best possible life. Simply, our best life is realized when we honor God as the highest. For believers, God alone is the source of our future hope, the substance of our well-being, the remedy to our greatest ills, and the rescue from the gravest trials. No one compares with God, the one and only true Lord of all. Thus, godly living begins with a full and entire surrender to God. This complete and undivided surrender amounts to genuine worship of God. While partiality in worship weakens our faith and inhibits our ability to follow God’s commands, genuine worship fuels a life of obedience. A life of true obedience to God is rooted in a heart that recognizes God as the sovereign and supreme Lord of all.

Putting God first does not mean that we ignore people, neglect personal responsibilities, or disdain the joys of life. God created us to live in a world of relationships, work, and delight. Indeed, putting God first and foremost allows us to rightly order and best enjoy all other spheres of life. We most properly fulfill our duties in all of life when we maintain an exclusive devotion to the incomparable God, a devotion to God that is based upon a confession that God is the one and only true God. Like the sun in a solar system, God brings all other areas of our lives into proper orbital focus. In a culture that constantly vies for our attention, believers need to learn to live with a single-minded focus, unbending passion, and uncompromising devotion. The stakes are high, and giving God first place is of first importance for disciples of Christ. Therefore, basic to the life of discipleship is a core first principle of undivided allegiance to God. For our instruction and God’s glory, the Scriptures record the lives of faithful followers who exhibited such wholehearted faith that led to worship and obedience.

In Daniel 3:1–30, we meet a wealthy and powerful king, Nebuchadnezzar, who wrongly elevated himself to preeminence. Among his people and generation, Nebuchadnezzar was first in wealth, first in power, and first in position. A self-exalting monarch, King Nebuchadnezzar constructed a golden image that reflected his kingdom rule, demanding that everyone in his empire worship the statue. Defying the king’s command and displaying exclusive devotion to God, three Israelite youths simply but courageously put God first and foremost in their lives. These three faithful men—given the Babylonian names Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—faced a fiery trial because of their faith. Nothing would deter their worship of God. Despite the threats of a powerful king, the God-honoring threesome experienced supernatural deliverance from a blazing furnace. In the end, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego bore witness to God’s incomparability through their radical and sacrificial loyalty to God. As a result, Nebuchadnezzar himself experienced a surprising change in his own understanding of God and the faith.

In their decision to live a life of exemplary fidelity to God, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego serve as faith exemplars for us today. They teach us what it looks like to obey the first great principle of the Christian life: love God more than anything else. As these youths clearly demonstrate, loving commitment to God shapes faith habits, guides through life’s complexities, and sustains through perilous danger. Their ancient example is no less relevant today. As disciples, we will find ourselves in innumerable situations that challenge our faith and discourage godly living. The simple yet courageous faith of these three Jewish men remains a sterling case of faithful devotion to God, an example we must follow. Let us allow their valiant faith to be a vivid lesson for us all!

Biblical Interpretation: Hearing the Word

Study the Text: The Bible is God’s inspired word to his people. Christian disciples mature in the faith when they are grounded in God’s word. In this movement, you will study the basic details of the biblical text.

Observation Questions

Read (or listen to) the whole passage of Scripture. Discuss the questions below for each section of the story. Pay attention to the details of the text to recall what the passage is saying. Use the focus verses to guide your conversation.

Storycraft

Retell the story in your own words, recounting the overall flow of the narrative, the main segments of the story, and the major developments that take place.

Narrative Elements

Story Retell

Theological Dialogue: Discussing the Plot

Explore the Text: God’s word is his trustworthy and sufficient revelation to his people. We grow as Christ’s disciples by rooting our lives in God’s unchanging truth. In this movement, you will explore vital teachings of this biblical passage.

Discussion Questions

Summarize the biblical story. As a community, discuss the following questions. Be attentive to the truths taught in this text. Use the commentary on the next pages to uncover core principles this passage teaches about the Christian faith.

Biblical Commentary

Use this commentary to help you understand the meaning of the text. Refer to the infographic on the next page to think through how narratives work.

Passage Introduction

Key Idea

Put God first above all things.

Passage Overview

What God demands, we are often hesitant to give. We can be resistant, disobedient, or dismissive of God’s commands. Sometimes we want to follow his ways but feel powerless to do so. Exclusive worship of God is a key to unlocking a life of faithful obedience. The biblical narrative of the fiery furnace clearly demonstrates this. Nebuchadnezzar teaches us about the deceptive and destructive nature of idolatry. The defiance and courage of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego showcase what it looks like to reject false gods and maintain full devotion to God. Their deliverance through the fiery furnace highlights God’s incomparable power and gracious redemption of his people. Divine deliverance is a bedrock upon which believers base their lives of faith and obedience. Moreover, those who embrace a life of exclusive worship of God become powerful witnesses in the world. Read the biblical text and use the commentary to help you grow in your understanding of a faith rooted in exclusive worship of God.

Passage Outline

God in First Place

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Love to God must be with all the heart … We must not love God a little, give him a drop or two of our love; but the main stream must flow to him. The mind must think of God, the will choose him, the affections pant after him. The true mother would not have the child divided, nor will God have the heart divided.

Introduction

God is supreme. There is no one like him. He is the one and only true God. He is unmatched in character, unequaled in his power, and unsurpassed in his majesty. Despite God’s singular supremacy, our world is filled with a battery of so-called gods that ferociously compete for God’s prime place. In our weakness and sinfulness, we tend to cater to things that are not God, hesitating to give him our full affection. Our desires to keep our options open, cover our bases, or seek the newest and the latest innovation cause our hearts to fluctuate, giving our love to other things. But God will simply not be satisfied with only a part of our heart. As long as something else has a portion of our heart, we run the risk of not loving God at all!

The biblical record of Daniel 3:1–30 recounts the undivided allegiance of three Israelite youths. Living in Babylonian exile, these Jewish men—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—faced a culture and society that was opposed to their faith. Even King Nebuchadnezzar, the tyrannical ruler of this foreign empire, participated in this opposition. He created a large golden statue and demanded that all the citizens of his empire worship it. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego defied the king’s edict and refused to comply with this command. King Nebuchadnezzar threatened to throw these youths into a fiery furnace if they did not worship the image. In an amazing display of faith, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego maintained exclusive worship of God. They did not worship Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image. After the Israelite youths entered the fiery flames, a fourth person appeared in the fire. At this time, the youths were miraculously protected and released from their bonds. As they exited the furnace unharmed, Nebuchadnezzar issued another edict that protected the worship of the true God and affirmed God’s incomparable power.

Prioritizing God as first in our lives is not easy, but it is the first great principle in living the Christian life. Our exclusive and absolute commitment to God affects every other area of life. If we hope to overcome depression, rightly steward our possessions, gain control of our emotions, reorder our families, restore our marriages, mature in our work ethic, or experience any number of other lifestyle changes, it must begin with giving God first place in our lives. In the story that follows, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego showcase the character of a faith that worships God alone. Their complete surrender and total love for God empowered them to confront a powerful king with confidence, resist the allure of temptation with integrity, endure a fiery furnace with hope, and experience the hand of God with power. Let us become their apprentices, allowing them to guide us on the way toward the best possible life.

The Statue Nebuchadnezzar Set Up: Understanding the Nature of Idolatry and False Worship

Biblical Narrative (Daniel 3:1–7)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were Jews who lived in Babylon during the time of the Babylonian exile. During this time, Babylon was a world superpower. It dominated the region and eventually took the Jewish people captive into exile (cf. 2 Kings 25:1–30). The Babylonian siege against Israel resulted in many Jews being transported from their land and mixed with Babylonian society. Living as exiles, these Jews faced pressure from a pagan culture, threats of idolatrous worship, and the heavy-handed rule of a dictatorial regime. Despite the difficulties of this time, God placed certain Jewish figures in leadership roles within the Babylonian government. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were such examples.

During this period of time, the ruler of Babylon constructed a ninety-foot high by nine-foot wide golden image: “King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue sixty cubits high and six cubits wide” (3:1). In an effort to make this image conspicuous to the Babylonian population, King Nebuchadnezzar “set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon” (3:1). Making his image visible for all to see, King Nebuchadnezzar wanted to make sure that all people worshipped it. Consequently, Babylon’s king summoned together the powerful leaders of his kingdom: “the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the other officials of the provinces” (3:2). These leaders gathered for the grand ceremony, “the dedication of the statue he had set up” (3:2). Subservient to this pagan king, elite Babylonian officials—together with “all the rulers of the provinces” (3:3)—gathered as Nebuchadnezzar had commanded. As this idolatrous assembly formed, Babylon’s ruling class “stood before” (3:3) Nebuchadnezzar’s image, posturing themselves to revere, honor, and worship this man-made statue.

With the authorities in place, Nebuchadnezzar broadcasted a summons for “people of every nation and language” (3:4; cf. 3:7). Leveraging his regal position, Nebuchadnezzar issued an authoritative decree: “As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up” (3:5; cf. 3:7). Not a mere suggestion, this was an order that was “commanded” (3:4) to the people. In fact, by saying “as soon as you hear the sound” (3:5; cf. 3:7), Nebuchadnezzar demanded their worship of the statue be immediate—undelayed, subservient, and reverential. The monomaniacal king used fear and terror in an attempt to coerce people into this act of false worship. The Babylonian king gave the following threat: “whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into the blazing fiery furnace” (3:6). As Nebuchadnezzar constructed the situation, those who did not pay immediate homage to the golden statue would receive immediate repercussions. As a whole, the people responded in obedience to Nebuchadnezzar’s edict. When they heard the musical cue, they “would fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up” (3:7).

Biblical Principles

The Idols That We Make. Babylon’s king not only “made” (3:1) the golden image, but he also “set it up” (3:1; cf. 3:2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 14, 18). The size, substance, and appearance of his creation must have been quite impressive. A golden image ninety feet by nine feet would have been breathtaking (3:1). The towering statue made up of costly material would have evoked a sense of awe and amazement. Clearly, Nebuchadnezzar intended worship of the statue to translate into homage to himself. This king’s fabrication of the golden image teaches us much about idols and idolatry. The time and money to create Nebuchadnezzar’s statue were not insignificant. Much physical effort, creative artisanship, skillful craftsmanship, and architectural knowledge were employed in the completion of this Babylonian project. As Nebuchadnezzar used a costly resource like gold (3:1, 5) to build his idolatrous image, so do humans generally invest valuable resources in the construction and maintenance of false gods. Across generations and cultures, anything upheld with reverence, honor, and praise can be a false god: material possessions, human relationships, employment, social status, or personal pleasure are just a few common idols that can steal the affection of the human heart. The time, effort, and money invested in these things often reveal the inordinate love we can have toward things that are not truly God. In turn, one can often detect the idols of a culture by the ways a society spends its money, time, energy, or creative skill.

However impressive idolatrous creations may appear, they are imbalanced (in 3:1 note the top-heavy dimensions of the ninety-foot by nine-foot figure) and impotent (in 3:1 note that Nebuchadnezzar was responsible for its creation [“made a golden statue”] and establishment [“set it up”]). The fact that idols are man-made creations honored as gods means all idols are unstable and weak. Sadly, false gods are inanimate creations constructed by human beings. Idols rely upon human worshipers for their very existence and preservation. That idols need to be “set up” exposes their impotency and incapacity. Humans themselves are ardent promoters of their idols. Nebuchadnezzar demonstrated his advocacy of the image in placing it in “the plain of Dura” (3:1), announcing it publicly (3:4), and prompting worship by an orchestrated instrumental cue (3:5, 7). Like Nebuchadnezzar, we too erect idols in our culture that are visible, accessible, and appealing. Further, the collective emotional energy of Nebuchadnezzar’s musical prompt resembles much of the fanfare, excitement, and enthusiasm around idols in the contemporary world. In all generations and cultures, idols have their kings who creatively bring the idol into existence, shakily prop up the idol before the watching world, and shamelessly promote the idol’s popularity. In addition, idols usually have their public officials who formally endorse an idol’s acceptability, along with heralds who loudly publicize an idol’s presence. In fact, idols are usually championed by choral ensembles that enthusiastically cheer their worship.

Like Nebuchadnezzar’s statue, false gods are made to impress us with their size, power, or wealth. They are often given a visible platform and are usually backed by people in positions of prestige and authority. False gods are unforgiving masters who prey on our fears, feed off our insecurities, exploit our desires, and confuse our sense of self. They threaten us if we do not pay them homage. Such false deities are popular and trendy. Nevertheless, like Nebuchadnezzar’s image, false gods are unsteady and lopsided: they cannot withstand their own weight, not to mention the expectations of their worshippers. And, many times, we give these gods worship in order to prop up inflated egos, cover over deep insecurities, or promote selfish agendas. We should be gravely warned. When we give ourselves to what is (humanly speaking) most popular, most powerful, or most outwardly impressive, we become unstable and rickety like the very lopsided images we erringly revered.

The Nature of False Worship. While this passage teaches us about the character of idols and idol-making, it also gives us some insight into the nature of false worship. Behind false worship is an attempt to elevate someone or something to the level of deity. By worshipping the image, the people gave Nebuchadnezzar the honor and status of a god. Although this practice would have been common for Babylonians, it was a direct violation of God’s command and a blatant affront to God’s person. Idolatry is a direct and flagrant rejection of God’s singular and exclusive status as God. Idolatry calls people to “fall down and worship” (3:5; cf. 3:7) a person, object, or being that is not God. The act of false worship in any form is a violation of the first great principle of the Christian life: worship God alone. When this principle is transgressed, it becomes impossible to thrive in obeying any of God’s commands. The exclusive worship of God alone is the fountainhead from which flows all godly living. As such, it is clear that Satan attacks humans (and Christians) at this direct place, tempting us to offer our worship to those things that are not gods. If he can succeed in this way, he can derail us from godly living.

With great pomp, power, and force, Nebuchadnezzar did all that he could to secure his status among the gods, demanding the worship of this golden image. As is often the case in our own false worship, Nebuchadnezzar’s elevated self-image was intimately connected to the worship of this image. Not wanting his statue and his own image to be dismissed, Nebuchadnezzar organized an assembly (3:2, 3) for the dedication (3:2, 3) of this image. As King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar issued an authoritative command (3:4–5). The worship of the statue was not optional. Rather, it was a governmental edict that carried official weight and force. The official nature of this idolatry was further reinforced by the specific assembly of Babylonian leaders (3:2–3) who gathered to support Nebuchadnezzar’s scheme. In addition to a royal decree, his command to false worship carried with it a sense of demanding urgency—“as soon as” (3:5; cf. 3:7)—and hostile threat—“whoever does not” (3:6).

A divided heart cannot bear a split allegiance for long before it eventually crumbles under the pressure of second-rate lovers and self-manufactured deities. The path to the best possible life begins with exclusive devotion to God. God alone should be worshiped because He alone is God. He alone is the one who can fully meet the deepest longings of our hearts. He alone can replace our deep insecurities with a healthy sense of identity. He does not coerce us to worship or manipulate us to pay him honor. God is not plagued with low self-esteem. He does not need an impressive statue to evoke awe: the glory of his presence does this by itself. God does not rely upon the endorsement of important officials and does not cater to popular opinion or fashionable trends. Rather than being unstable and lopsided, God himself is a solid rock and a sure foundation for all who worship Him. God expects worship because he alone is the certain remedy to our pain, the ultimate fulfillment of our longings, and the exclusive security of our lives. We must love God most of all, without competitors, because God is simply the best!

Maliciously Accused: Facing Opposition in the Rejection of False Gods

Biblical Narrative (Daniel 3:8–15)

When we put God first, we can expect persecution and mistreatment. This biblical narrative exhibits such a reality. Sometime after King Nebuchadnezzar published his edict, “astrologers came forward and maliciously accused the Jews” (3:8). The “malicious” nature of these accusations describes a hostile and antagonistic act. A term that describes an animal eating its food (4:33) or a beast devouring its prey (7:5, 7, 19, 23), this word connotes aggression or violent attack against another. The experience of being “maliciously accused” was similar to Daniel’s treatment when he later defied a different king’s edict and continued to pray to God (cf. 6:24). For Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, these accusers sought to undermine and destroy them. If they did not comply with the king’s command, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew that they would be condemned as criminals and sentenced to death. Faced with a grave dilemma—obeying a divine decree or following a government edict, defying Nebuchadnezzar or disobeying God, securing one’s eternal destiny or seeking one’s temporary safety—there was a lot at stake. For these youthful Israelites (and for us), putting God first was a matter of life and death.

Interestingly, the astrologers’ accusation began with deference to King Nebuchadnezzar: “O king, may you live forever!” (3:9). A sign of their own allegiance to the pagan king, these astrologers reviewed Nebuchadnezzar’s “decree” of compulsory worship (3:10) and the stated consequences for disobedience (3:11). Then, they reported to their revered monarch the noncompliance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Jews which Nebuchadnezzar “appointed to manage the province of Babylon” (3:12). They testified that this trio “ignored” the king, “refused to serve [Nebuchadnezzar’s] gods,” and refused to “worship the golden statue” (3:15). Although the accusation was malicious, aiming at their destruction, the charge was true. Because of their undivided loyalty to God, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego dismissed the royal edict and did not engage in false worship.

When Nebuchadnezzar heard about their defiance, his personal insecurity flared. Like a festering wound, he was “furious with rage” (3:13). Using his political power, he “summoned” (3:13) these unyielding Israelite youths. When they came before the king, Nebuchadnezzar cross-examined them with a ferocious intensity. The offended king asked these faithful devotees of God, “Is it true that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden statue I have set up?” (3:14). Nebuchadnezzar gave them another chance to comply with his idolatrous decree, telling them they “must fall down and worship the statue” upon hearing the musical ensemble (3:15). Issuing a serious and deadly threat, Nebuchadnezzar told this godly threesome, “if you refuse to worship, you will be thrown at once into the blazing fiery furnace” (3:15). As confident as Nebuchadnezzar was in his prestige and dignity, he was also equally optimistic in his power to destroy. As such, the Babylonian ruler offered this taunt, “Then what god will be able to deliver you from my hands?” (3:15).

Biblical Principles

Rejecting False Worship. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego defied Nebuchadnezzar’s decree, rejected his statue, and abstained from false worship. Leaders who were “appointed to manage the province of Babylon” (3:12), this Israelite trio had faithfully served Nebuchadnezzar in his political and civic endeavors. To operate in a foreign government like this, these Jewish men had to have displayed an appropriate sense of honor and respect to their imperial superiors (hints of their respect for Nebuchadnezzar as king are seen in 3:17–18). Nevertheless, when the political powers collided with their religious commitments, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew which would take priority. Consequently, these Jewish leaders “ignored” (3:12) Nebuchadnezzar’s command, “refused to serve [his] gods” (3:12; cf. 3:14), and refrained from worshiping “the golden statue” (3:12; cf. 3:14). Their undivided allegiance to God compelled them to defy the king’s idolatrous command. In so doing, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego modeled a key aspect of exclusive worship of God: decisive, determined, and resolute rejection of false gods and idolatrous worship. Verbally declaring allegiance is important, but it is not entirely sufficient. To exhibit genuine allegiance to God necessitates a repudiation of all idols, demonstrated by one’s lifestyle and actions. Said another way, a faithful “yes” to God entails a complete “no” to every other deity. This kind of sincere faith is not without its fierce foes.

Hostile Attacks Against God’s People. We should expect full devotion to God to induce opposition. The malicious accusation from the astrologers (3:8) and the furious rage of Nebuchadnezzar (3:13) typify objections the world has against those who embrace exclusive worship of God. When believers worship God alone, it is sure to offend and enrage others. Sinful humans feel viscerally threatened when their pantheon of idols is rejected, particularly because false gods often mask the underlying insecurities of a person and society. As long as we seek public applause, crowd approval, and majority status, we will be unable to display or promote exclusive worship of God. An offended society is sure to respond to believers with persuasion, coercion, and insult. Even though Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego defied the king’s edict, Nebuchadnezzar uttered the words, “if you are ready” (3:15,) in order to give them another opportunity to demonstrate fealty to the government-sanctioned statue. The king galvanized his coaxing offer for a second chance by a forceful ultimatum: “if you refuse” (3:15). His intimidation tactics were compounded by a derogatory and demeaning sentiment: “What god will be able to deliver you from my hands?” (3:15). At one and the same time, this statement fostered the king’s self-promotion and spoke libel against the one and only true God.

When we put God first, the surrounding culture will stubbornly seek to deter our trust in God. The world looks at exclusive devotion to God with animosity and hostility. When we seek to give God our ultimate allegiance, we can be assured that we will be accused, blamed, and threatened. If fear-mongering and manipulative tactics are initially unsuccessful, Nebuchadnezzar-like figures will use terrifying rhetoric and hostile tactics to dismantle our confessed faith in God. Since false gods are born from sinful culture, we must be aware that society will interpret a rejection of its gods as an attack on culture itself. When we start putting God first in our lives, people will be angry that we do not join them in false worship. Like Nebuchadnezzar, the world will also be ever-willing to reinitiate people back to their idolatrous ways. In short, when we refuse to worship our culture’s gods, we can expect to be blitzed with allegations, bombarded with temptation, pressured to compromise, and vilified as a danger to society. Close friends, dear family members, and trusted coworkers who once enjoyed a meaningful relationship with us can suddenly become hostile and threatening when we forsake false gods and refuse to worship society’s propped-up idols.

The God Whom We Serve: Demonstrating a Firm Faith to Put God First

Biblical Narrative (Daniel 3:16–18)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood firm in faith against Nebuchadnezzar’s terrifying ultimatum. Although they occupied leadership roles in Babylon (cf. 3:12), these Israelite youths maintained exclusive allegiance to God. In short, they viewed themselves as citizens in God’s kingdom more than chiefs in Nebuchadnezzar’s empire. Consequently, they confidently informed Nebuchadnezzar, “We have no need to answer you in this matter” (3:16). In this statement, they asserted that their accountability to God eclipsed their subservience to any human ruler.

Their faith was so sincere that they were willing to face human threats (and undergo painful execution) rather than abandon their allegiance to God. They knew that God was real and that he was the only true God. Entrusting themselves to God’s safekeeping, they told Babylon’s king, “If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand” (3:17). This statement did not mean they doubted God’s existence. In actuality, the opposite was the case. So confident were they in God’s existence and exclusivity—as the one and only living God—that they offered up their lives to the fiery flames as an occasion for God to prove himself. The faithful Israelites did not fear the hand of the king as long as they were in the faithful hand of Almighty God.

The bold faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego was also humble. While they knew God was all-powerful—mighty enough to rescue them from Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace—they did not presume to know his wise and mysterious will. Therefore, if the youths died in the flames, these deaths would not discount God as sovereign and supreme. Even if God did not rescue them from the punishing fire, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to comply with the king’s command: “even if He does not … we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up” (3:18). Through their bold word and courageous conviction, these three faithful youths were agents of God’s revelation. Their bold testimony was a means to “let it be known to [Nebuchadnezzar]” (3:18) and all the watching world that God is supreme and worthy of our exclusive worship.

Biblical Principles

Accountable to God. Although Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego respectfully acknowledged Nebuchadnezzar as ruler of Babylon—“O king” (3:17; cf. 3:18)—they did not acknowledge him as an ultimate authority in the world or over their lives. As such, they told the self-exalting king that they had “no need to answer [him] in this matter” (3:16). Though they were responsible to Nebuchadnezzar as provincial leaders, these three youths were ultimately accountable to God, Maker of heaven and earth. Therefore, while they had no obligation to answer the king’s ultimatum (cf. 3:15), they did speak in a way that truth would “be known to [him]” (3:18). Their earthly situation placed them under the jurisdiction of Nebuchadnezzar’s rule, but their sincere faith positioned them to speak authoritatively to this human king. Like in these youths, a fundamental understanding of one’s accountability to God roots firm faith.

Service of God. Agreeing with Nebuchadnezzar’s assessment of their actions (cf. 3:14), Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego told the king that they would “not serve [his] gods or worship the golden statue” (3:18). In contrast, these faithful Jewish men declared their full allegiance to “the God whom we serve” (3:17). The accusation against the threesome was accurate: they refused to engage in worship of false gods and idols. So definitive was their loyalty to God that the surrounding culture noticed their exclusive worship. To obscure the exclusive nature of true faith can be a common temptation. Trying to live in two worlds, many attempt to express devotion to God while maintaining allegiance to worldly entities. We may vocally affirm faith in God but be reticent about rejecting false gods. This two-faced kind of life will not endure. Hypocritical and pretended lives inevitably devolve into false worship. On the contrary, a firm faith is lived out in such a way that one’s service to God professes devotion to God and expresses rejection of false deities and worldly values. To live a life of godliness, our exclusive commitment needs to be clear and conspicuous to the world around us.

Confidence in God. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego exhibited a courageous trust in God. They entrusted their complete well-being to the God whom they served. No threat, danger, or difficulty diluted this confidence. On the contrary, the precarious intensity of the moment only served to accentuate this complete trust. They were confident that God was “able to deliver” (3:17) them from both “the blazing fiery furnace” (3:17) and Nebuchadnezzar’s intemperate “hand” (3:17). Facing a blazing furnace, the Jewish men voiced their belief in God’s ultimate authority, awesome power, and inestimable worth. Nebuchadnezzar’s power and ferocity could not unravel their anchored trust in God, who had them in his custody and care. God was their safety and security. Amazingly, these Israelites said that “even if [God] does not” (3:18) spare them from the fiery flames, they would remain undeterred in their allegiance to him. The death-defying, unflinching hope demonstrated by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is a fundamental characteristic of genuine trust in God, a trust that enables us to live a godly life in the face of the most dangerous situations.

The Blazing Fiery Furnace: Experiencing Divine Deliverance in Our Fiery Trials

Biblical Narrative (Daniel 3:19–25)

Fragile ego and haunting insecurity plagued Nebuchadnezzar. Consequently, when the three Israelite youths refused Nebuchadnezzar’s ultimatum, he became extremely angry. Specifically, “Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage” to the extent that “the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” (3:19). The change of face resulted in an increased temperature of the furnace: “He gave orders to heat the furnace seven times hotter than usual” (3:19). As his frustration grew, so did his hostility. His prior demands for immediacy and conformity (3:6–7, 15) metastasized into a condemning severity and ferocity (3:19–20). The determination behind Nebuchadnezzar’s decree and punishment shows the prideful obsession that lay behind his false worship and self-exaltation.

After ordering the increase of the heat of the furnace, Nebuchadnezzar “commanded some mighty men of valor in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” (3:20). These physically endowed men, a symbol of Nebuchadnezzar’s political strength and military might, threw the Jewish youths “into the blazing fiery furnace” (3:20; cf. 3:21). The enacted punishment seems to have occurred fairly soon after their interchange with the king. They were tied up and thrown into the fire “wearing robes, trousers, turbans, and other clothes” (3:21). One would assume that such clothing would catch fire quickly and (even more) accelerate the burning of their flesh.

Betraying an odd kind of desperation and exasperation, Nebuchadnezzar was urgent and fierce in his punishment of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. But the first victims of his punishment were not God’s faithful devotees. Instead, “the king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the fiery flames killed the men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” (3:22). This unexpected development resulted in a surprising occurrence. The “three men” who were “firmly bound” ended up falling “into the blazing fiery furnace” (3:23). Then, an astounding miracle occurred. By Nebuchadnezzar’s own testimony, he saw “four men” in the fire who were “unbound and unharmed” (3:25). Nebuchadnezzar could not understand how a fourth person could be in the fire when they threw “three men, firmly bound, into the fire” (3:24). He also could not explain how the bound men were walking around in the fire, released from their bonds. In addition, the fourth man looked “like a son of the gods” (3:25). As a result of these extraordinary circumstances, Nebuchadnezzar “jumped up in amazement” (3:24). Indeed, he had encountered power greater than that of his own hand.

Biblical Principles

Fiery Tests. This scene of the narrative describes the trial that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced. Their exclusive worship of God stirred the emotions of Nebuchadnezzar to the point that he was “filled with rage” (3:19; cf. 3:13). The faith of these youths had fomented Nebuchadnezzar’s anger. As a result, “the expression on his face changed” (3:19). The furnace became an outlet for his rage. His unruly fury resulted in the furnace being turned up “seven times hotter than usual” (3:19). Nebuchadnezzar’s inflamed anger was stoked like the scorching flames of the deadly furnace. He employed his “mighty men of valor” (3:20) to fulfill his urgent command (3:22; cf. 3:19) to cast the men into the fire. Making sure his intentions were followed without complication or failure, he “firmly bound” (3:23; cf. 3:20, 21, 24) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men faced a targeted attack on their lives. Like these youths, many godly followers endure the rage, hostility, power, disfavor, and obstinacy of those who oppose the faith. Godly living is sure to incite fiery trials.

The anger and heat of the situation was so uncontrollable that “the blazing fiery furnace” (3:20; cf. 3:21) swallowed up the men who were tasked with throwing the Jewish men in the fire (3:22). Even though the intent was to throw (3:20, 21, 24) these youths into the raging blaze, they actually entered the flames by falling (3:23). Although Nebuchadnezzar took credit for throwing them in (3:24), his punishment of the Jewish trio was not executed according to his own plan or threat (3:19–20). Showing that Nebuchadnezzar was not as strong as he claimed to be (and not in control of the situation as he thought), the unnerved king commanded an execution that resulted in the death of his own men (3:22). Reckless rage that is born from insecurity and idolatrous worship results in deadly and damaging effects upon others. However fierce God’s opponents may seem, they are no match for God. For those under God’s protection, a hostile attack against God’s people is only an opportunity for God to prove his constant faithfulness and unconquerable might. In fact, as is the case in this biblical narrative, enraged and unhinged persecution against the faith has a way of undoing itself and leading to its own demise.

Our exclusive commitment to God will bring us under the fire of testing. We can be sure of this. We should not bemoan furnaces in our lives. Furnaces of affliction, hardship, and persecution give us a chance to cut ties with false gods. Difficult tests and trials reinforce the reality of God’s presence in our lives. God uses fiery tests to prove his worthiness for first place in our lives. Furnaces—trials that test the faith of God’s people—are one of God’s greatest means to confront (and overcome) the powers of the world. As the true King, God proves himself as preeminent, not simply by keeping his people from difficulty but particularly by sustaining them through the flames of trial. When we see things for what they really are, furnaces are God’s undercover gifts of grace to his people (and his world). They force us to ask fundamental questions at the foundation of the Christian life: Is God really first in my life? Do I really love Him most of all? Do I trust God regardless of my changing circumstances or hostile culture? For a Christian, trials do not diminish joy. Instead, they reinforce the fact that God is the sum and substance of our joy. God is the sole source of the best possible life.

Divine Deliverance. The rage of Nebuchadnezzar soon turned into amazement (3:24). The men who had fallen bound into the blazing furnace were now “unbound and unharmed, walking around in the fire” (3:25). In addition, a fourth person “like the son of the gods” (3:25) was seen in the fire with them. The presence of this fourth person—a person Nebuchadnezzar would call divine (3:25) and angelic (3:28)—corresponded with the preservation of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the blazing fire. This fourth person foreshadows the person of Christ, the true Son of God and the ultimate ambassador for our salvation. We learn that these youths were miraculously released from their bonds, supernaturally protected from the flames, and divinely safeguarded by God (3:27). Fiery trials are a means to showcase God’s divine deliverance (3:28). God is able to bring his faithful servants through (and out of) fiery trials (3:25). Entrusting ourselves to God’s care, we not only secure our eternal destiny in the life to come, but we also prepare ourselves to endure hardship in this life with God’s gracious help. To live a life of godliness is to encounter hardship with an unwavering trust in an ever-present and all-powerful God. No flames of human retribution are a match to God’s timely deliverance of “the servants of the Most High God” (3:26).

There Is No Other God: Bearing Witness to God’s Incomparable Character

Biblical Narrative (Daniel 3:25–30)

After Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were supernaturally preserved in the flames of Nebuchadnezzar’s unforgiving sentence, Nebuchadnezzar himself “approached the door of the blazing fiery furnace” (3:26). Rather than identifying them as rulers in his empire, the Babylon ruler called them “servants of the Most High God” (3:26). Unable to go into the flames himself, he commanded the Israelites to “come out” (3:26). When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego “came out of the fire” (3:26), the Babylonian officials—the same ones who had earlier bowed down to Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image—“saw that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men” (3:27). So protected and preserved were these three men that “not a hair of their heads was singed,” “their robes were unaffected,” and “there was no smell of fire on them” (3:27).

In response to this miraculous deliverance, Nebuchadnezzar praised the true God: “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” (3:28). He bore witness that God “sent His angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him” (3:28). The faith of this Israelite threesome was exemplary. They “violated the king’s command” and “risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God” (3:28). This statement described a full and complete allegiance to God alone. Such an allegiance is not only the essence of genuine faith but also the foundation for a life of obedience.

Nebuchadnezzar himself underwent some kind of definitive change. This was displayed in a new decree that he issued. Although Nebuchadnezzar announced an idolatrous edict at the beginning of (and throughout) this narrative (3:4–6, 10–11, 14–15), at the end of this account, he declared a law that protected the worship of the one and only true God. In this God-honoring mandate, Nebuchadnezzar asserted that “the people of any nation or language who say anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be cut into pieces and their houses reduced to rubble” (3:29). So amazed was Nebuchadnezzar by God’s incomparable power that he attested: “there is no other god who can deliver in this way” (3:29). Not Nebuchadnezzar as king, his statue as an idol, or the false gods as deities could compare with the power of the one and only true God. As a result of this realization, Nebuchadnezzar also changed his treatment of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He not only allowed them to worship God, but he also promoted them “in the province of Babylon” (3:30). A ruler once controlled by an obsessive demand of false worship now became a vocal promoter of God’s existence and inestimable excellence.

Biblical Principles

Convincing Testimonies. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego “came out of the fire” (3:26), their experiences became a powerful and persuasive testimony to Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian officials. The result of their miraculous deliverance was utterly clear: “no effect on the bodies of these men,” “not a hair of their heads was singed,” “their robes were unaffected,” and “there was no smell of fire on them” (3:27). This supernatural deliverance was a testimony to their faithful devotion. This experience proved that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were God’s “servants who trusted in Him” (3:28). This devotion led them to violate the king’s command and risk their lives (3:28). So committed were they to God that they were willing to die rather than forsake God through an act of false worship. The model of faith seen in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is worthy of emulation. Even if we are not preserved in our earthly trials, we are certainly guaranteed life in the world to come. Godly living that comes from a courageous faith is a powerful testimony of God.

Powerful Change. With Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego untouched by the fiery furnace, Nebuchadnezzar underwent a sweeping change. Throughout the story, Nebuchadnezzar followed this transformation: proud confidence (3:1–12) to furious rage (3:13–18) to violent anger (3:19–23) to sincere reverence (3:24–25) to eventual humility (3:26–30). The powerful witness of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego resulted in a change to Nebuchadnezzar’s and his government’s policy. Not only did the king change his disposition, but (for that moment) the landscape of Babylonian society was changed. Nebuchadnezzar not only praised the God who delivered these men (3:28) but prevented others from slandering the faith (3:29). The king, once prone to self-exaltation, not only declared “blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” (3:28) but also confessed “there is no other god who can deliver in this way” (3:29). It is hard to know whether Nebuchadnezzar experienced an authentic conversion to the faith. Nevertheless, what is evident is his realization that there is no God like the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. A life of faith requires full and undivided allegiance to God. Exclusive devotion and complete trust in God are the firm foundation upon which all godly living is built. And when believers embrace this kind of unreserved and unalloyed faith, it becomes a convincing witness to the surrounding world.

Conclusion

A pagan king seeking his own glory, Nebuchadnezzar built a statue and demanded that all in his empire worship it. This statue worship was false worship aimed at self-promotion and self-exaltation. Although Nebuchadnezzar used power, wealth, and fear to motivate people to false worship, three Jewish youths refused to comply with his command. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego displayed undivided loyalty to God. They rejected Nebuchadnezzar’s statue, defied his idolatrous commands, and entrusted themselves to God’s care. When Nebuchadnezzar condemned these faithful Israelites to the fiery furnace, God demonstrated his divine deliverance, rescuing them from the flames. In response to this miracle, Nebuchadnezzar came to realize the certain existence, the incomparable character, and the inestimable worth of the one and true living God. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—three Jewish exiles living in the enemy territory of a pagan culture—put God first in their lives and made a dynamic impact on the surrounding culture.

God calls us to put him first in our lives. Prioritizing God above all is the first and basic principle of godly living. Unlike the idols of the age, God is not an insecure deity who needs human attention. God is not a power-hungry god who manipulates his creation or a ravenous force that feeds itself through fetish or fear. On the contrary, God wants us to put him first because he knows that he is the key to the best possible life. In a world of fabricated gods that compete for our attention and affection—some of which are plated in gold, others which boast of size and power, and all of which are lopsided and unstable—we need to build our lives on the life principle that can give a sense of stability and substance to our lives: God in first place.

Session Synopsis

SESSION 2 SYNOPSIS
Full Devotion	In this passage, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego exemplify what it means to be fully devoted to God. Nebuchadnezzar built an impressive, costly, and unstable image and demanded that his whole empire worship it. He threatened people with death by fiery furnace if they resisted this summons to false worship. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego defied the king’s command and refused to worship the golden image. Enraged, Nebuchadnezzar had the three Jewish youths thrown into a blazing, fiery furnace. God miraculously protected them. Their exclusive devotion to God bore witness to God as the only true God. This bold and courageous faith brought about a change in Nebuchadnezzar and the surrounding Babylonian empire. A summary of this story’s principles is outlined below.
Idols and False Worship	An idol is anything a person loves more than God (3:1–7). Idolatry is the worship of false gods or idols. False worship is an act of honoring, worshiping, or serving anything more than (or in addition to) God (3:1–2, 6–7, 11, 15). Individuals and entire cultures can be guilty of idolatry (3:4, 7). Idols are man-made creations (substitutes for the true God) that are powerless (3:1). Rather than helping humans, idols are helplessly dependent upon humans. They are false gods who make empty promises and cannot offer enduring joy. Idols often disguise human insecurities (3:1, 12) and operate based on fear, intimidation, and popular opinion (3:4–7, 11–12, 15).
Exclusive Devotion and True Worship	God commands his people to have exclusive and wholehearted devotion to God alone (3:17, 26, 28). Exclusive devotion to God is based upon the fact that God is the one and only true God (3:29). God is the true God, and all other gods are false gods. This means disciples of Christ should worship God alone (3:17, 28) and reject all false gods (3:12, 14, 18). God is worthy of our full trust, exclusive worship, complete devotion, and personal sacrifice.
Trial, Suffering, and Persecution	When disciples worship God alone, they should expect mistreatment from the world. Faithful followers of Christ who are wholehearted in their devotion to God will experience threat, accusation, affliction, hostility, and persecution (3:6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19–23).
Divine Deliverance and Protection	Those who truly worship God entrust their well-being into God’s hands without compromise (3:17–18, 28). God sustains, protects, and blesses his people in this life and in the life to come (3:17, 24–25, 27–28, 30).
Powerful Witness of a Bold Faith	Exclusive devotion to God is a powerful witness to the surrounding world that can even encourage others to faith in God (3:28–30).
Jesus Christ as Deliverer	Jesus Christ is the ultimate deliverer of God’s people (3:29). The fourth man in the fire is often identified as Jesus or an angelic being (3:24–25, 28). Either way, this narrative points to Jesus’ presence with and protection of his faithful followers who live a life of bold, sacrificial, and uncompromising faith in God.

Personal Reflection: Entering the Story

Apply the Text: The word of God is binding and authoritative, the only reliable guide for faith and godliness. True disciples submit themselves to God’s word. In this movement, you will apply God’s word to your lives.

Reflection Questions

Encourage one person to share a testimony about how this story has impacted them so far. Use the reflection questions to examine your life in light of this biblical passage.

Spiritual Practice

Spiritual Exercise

In the upcoming week, set aside the very first minutes of your day to spend time with the Lord. Use this time to read the Bible and pray for a minimum of 15 minutes. Make it the first thing that you do! Use this exercise to give God the very first of your day: before you eat breakfast, look at your cell phone, head off to work or school, etc. Use the simple week calendar below to record how this week’s challenge went and the obstacles you encountered along the way.

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Ministry Practice: Rehearsing the Script

Minister the Text: God’s word is living and active. Through God’s word, the Christian community is edified. In this movement, you will utilize the biblical passage to minister to other believers and build them up in their faith.

Application Questions

Look at the infographic below. Use the questions to think about how to minister this text to other believers.

Missional Outreach: Publicizing the Truth

Witness the Text: The Bible is a message of God’s gracious salvation to the world. In word and deed, God’s people proclaim the good news of the gospel. In this movement, you will use this biblical passage to reach out to unbelievers.

Strategy Questions

Reflect on the infographic below. Consider how you can use this passage to witness to the surrounding world. Use the suggested ideas to prime your imagination. Then, put together a plan to share this passage with unbelievers, Afterward, reflect on this mission experience.