Scripture
By Sister Raufu Spagnoletta
Lesson Text: Daniel 3:1; 8-18
Related Scriptures: Daniel 3:19-30; 6:1-23; Psalm 18:46-50; Matthew 10:16-20
In our lesson text, Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego, steadfast in faith, tells King Nebuchadnezzar, "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." Continuing in Daniel 3:19-30, Christ, the Son of God, shows up as the fourth man in the burning fiery furnace, and delivers the three young men unharmed. Upon seeing God's miraculous intervention King Nebuchadnezzar, bows and blesses the GOD of Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego.
In Daniel 6:1-23 (NKJV), a decree is established against Daniel, concerning His God, "whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except the king, shall be cast into the den of lions." On the day Daniel knew the decree was signed, he went home, opened his upper room windows toward Jerusalem, and knelt down on his knees. He prayed three times that day, gave thanks before His God, as was his custom since his early days. Daniel is cast into the den of lions' yet not devoured. Daniel boasts to King Darius, "My God sent His Angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me. .." .
King David exalts the LORD in Psalm 18:46-50, " The LORD lives! Blessed be My Rock! He delivers me from my enemies. YOU also lift me up above those who rise against me; YOU have delivered me from the violent man" (NKJV). Jesus teaches prosecutions are coming, in Matthew 10:16-20, "But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of Your Father who speaks in you" (NKJV).
Synopsis
By Sister Tarae King
Nebuchadnezzar had a massive gold statue made in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. It was 90 feet tall and 9 feet wide.
Some of the king’s advisers came to him to let him know what the Jews were doing. First, they address the king “O king, live for ever” to show respect. Then they reminded him of his decree that requires all the people to bow down and worship his gold statue when they hear musical instruments. Whoever did not worship the statue would be thrown into a burning furnace, and the king was told specifically who did not obey the decree. It is the Jews that he put over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
Nebuchadnezzar was so angry and ordered Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to be brought to him. When they were brought before him, Nebuchadnezzar asked if what he had been told was the truth. Before hearing their reply, he gave them one more chance to worship the statue when they heard the music. If they refused, they will be thrown in the furnace immediately. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did not owe the king any explanation, and knew if God did not save them, they would never worship his gods or statues.
Practical Application
By Brother Marshal Arnwine
As people, we face many pressures in life to worship other things besides God. However, we must never waiver in our allegiance to God. Like the three Jewish men (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) we should even be willing to die for our loyalty to God. Unfortunately, many people who profess Christ are unwilling to do anything that would warrant unwanted attention or to disrupt the status quo of society. Therefore, it is important for God’s people to have the courage to be different from unbelievers.
Daniel 3:16-18 demonstrates how the three Jewish men had the courage to represent and stand firm in their belief in God in the midst of a death threat. The men knew that refusing to bow down and worship Nebuchadzzer’s statue would cause them to suffer the consequence of being thrown into the fiery furnace. These men trusted in God’s sovereignty, even if the result was God having to deliver them from death in the fire. The Jewish men trusted in God who was able to save them from the fiery furnace if God decided to.
What the Jewish men did not know for sure was whether God would actually choose to deliver them. This act of faith and trust took courage in the midst of a death threat. Even without the assurance of deliverance, they chose not to submit to worshipping an image contrary to God, even if they knew it meant they would be thrown into fire for refusing to do so. The faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, compelled them to trust God with their lives. May we also be encouraged to trust God with our lives and never succumb to worshiping anything that is in opposition to God even if it costs us our life!
