Overview

By Brittenne Boykin

Scripture Lesson Text: Daniel 3:1, 8-18
 

Today’s lesson may be familiar to some. The Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar has made a golden image and placed it in a prominent location for the people to worship this image. (Vs.1) The king made a decree that everyone should bow down to the image and whoever did not would be cast into a fiery furnace (vs-10,11) The Chaldeans, seeing this as an opportunity to further their political agenda, approached the King. They pointed out that the young men he had placed over his affairs were not bowing down to the image and consequently were violating his decree (Vs.12). Here begins the story of the 3 Hebrew boys, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. These young men were taken into captivity by the Babylonians. They show excellence in all that they do and are placed over the king’s affairs. It was because of their favor with the king that the Chaldeans made it a point to make mention of them to the king in regards to not bowing. Nebekenezer becomes enraged and demands that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego be brought before him! He asked them if it was true that they did not serve his gods. (vs.14)

He puts forth an ultimatum. When they hear the sound of the music they must bow to the golden image it would be well with them but if they chose not to they would surely at that same hour be placed in the fiery furnace. He then asks them who would this God be that would come and rescue them out of his hands. (Vs.15) The young men answered and assured the king they did not need to defend themselves in the matter. (Vs. 16) They firmly told the king that it would be their God who they serve was well able to deliver them and if he chose not to that they would still not bow to the idol gods of the king! (VS. 17-18)

Related Scriptures

By Doug Smith

Related Scriptures: 2 Kings 19:14-37 ; Daniel 6:1-15 ; Matthew 4: 8-11

In 2Kings 19:14-37, Hezekiah came boldly to God, but did not take Him for granted on his approach. He acknowledged God’s Sovereignty and Judah’s total dependence on him. God replied to Sennacherib’s taunting words, indicting his arrogance. Sennacherib believed his kingdom had grown because of his own efforts and strength. In response to Hezekiah’s faith, Isaiah prophesied God’s judgment upon the Assyrian army and promised to restore the surviving remnant of Jews in Judah.

Daniel 6: 1-15 gives us the familiar story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den. Daniel was a man of great integrity and faithful, thus they could find no fault. The governors sought to find charges against Daniel, concerning the kingdom. He would be faithful to God in all circumstances. Daniel’s faithfulness to God caused him to be condemned to the lion’s den. Daniel was found praying the perfect will of God.

Matthew 4:8-11, shows Satan’s temptations of Jesus which are progressive. He begins by appealing to Jesus’ physical appetite, after a 40 day fast. Satan used scripture ( Psalm 91) to test God’s word. Satan was trying to distort Jesus’ perspective by making him focus from a high mountain to rule over the earth. Jesus refuses to worship the devil in exchange for the kingdoms of the earth.

Practical Points

By Janice Hall

a) Those who are loyal to God will stand out from the crowd.
b) We can count on the Lord for security when the world targets us for persecution.

Loving God includes being loyal to God. It can be difficult at times, because of the society and culture that increasingly misunderstands and disrespects God. But..! we are called to love God with our whole being. When we come with humility and grace, we can stand by God even when it’s not the popular thing to do. “…and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment“ (Mark 12:30).

To trust that our security is in the Lord, is to believe that the Lord is able to provide all our needs, to protect us from calamity and evil, and to preserve our love relationship with Him. The Lord gives us security for all our needs. (Philippians 4:19) The Lord gives us security from evil.( Psalms 91). The Lord gives security in our relationship with Him. (Romans 8:38,39) When we put our security in the Lord, we rest in the power of His love.