by J. Escuain S.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
This article is based on Dan. 3, which the reader is strongly encouraged to consider prayerfully before reading what follows.
In this portion of the Word of God we see Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, three of the saints in the Old Testament who were very privileged, for they were the objects of a marvelous and divine mediation to save them from a terrible death and they were able to enjoy some unspeakably precious moments in sweet company with the Lord. This was a marvelous privilege which undoubtedly would mark the rest of their lives!
It is very important to see the route by which they reached this sublime occasion. Let us examine their circumstances. These young men must have suffered much in seeing their country being conquered, and in being exiled to a heathen country far from Israel. This meant they were far from the land they had inherited from God, and, what was more, far from the temple—the place where God dwelt among them—and taken to a strange country where God was not feared. One could think that these last circumstances would not matter much to many of the Israelites since that exile was precisely a punishment from God on Israel because of their unbelief and idolatry. But these three men were different; they were part of a faithful remnant. This can be seen in their attitude when they united themselves to Daniel in his purpose of not being defiled with the food of the king of Babylon. They renounced the only thing that could seem attractive to exiled men such as they were in the palace of a hostile king. They were blessed and, as all could see, their health benefited from it.
Their faith and faithfulness, however, are revealed in a much stronger way later on. Throughout the whole country an edict is proclaimed by which everyone must adore the abominable statue that had been raised by the king, under the penalty of death for those who should disobey. In the midst of all the people, we see these three men alone remaining faithful to God, and not bending their knee before the idol.
Please consider for a few moments what it means to remain firm when everyone else yields, alone in the midst of a hostile nation, and threatened with the penalty of death. What would you do in such circumstances?
Their faith yet undergoes a harder trial. After having stood firm for the Lord before the people, they are taken before the king where they are again threatened and their faith in God questioned. Their answer is not delayed; it is as firm as before. Confronted by the horrid death with which they are threatened, they still confide fully in God with no fear of leaving their lives in His hands. How many of us, before a threatening enemy, would go on trusting our Father completely?
Not only do they glorify God by showing this confidence, but furthermore, they are ready to die if such were the will of God. They will not prostrate themselves before the idol; they will not give honor to a work of men instead of to God, and they will not disobey Him. What a great joy that sacrifice of His children must have been for God! (Psa. 116:1515Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. (Psalm 116:15).) Undoubtedly, it was "an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.”
The three young men who have defied the heathen king, are delivered to their executioners. They tie them and cast them into a furnace, overheated with the wrath and hatred of those of this world toward the children of God (John 15:18-2118If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. (John 15:18‑21)). Even the men who push them in are killed by the heat of the flames. Humanly speaking, there is no escape for the three believers, but God works, and the unbelieving king, frightened, is a witness of it. He sees the men free, who before were tied. They are walking in the flames, suffering no harm, and with another Person in whom the king recognizes Deity. Their God not only delivers them, but also blesses them with His presence. What a great joy for those men to enjoy the company of the Lord, those moments of incomparable sweetness among the flames of wrath of this hostile world!
Are we ready to enjoy the presence of the Lord amidst the adverse circumstances that surround us, or will the flames fill our sight and make us flee? More than that, would we offer our life to God for His glory, or would we dishonor Him for the fear of losing it?
When they are rescued from the furnace, the king of Babylon, that great king and powerful conqueror, is defeated and glorifies God. The great faith and great confidence of the three young men has not only glorified God in showing toward Him fear and obedience, but also in defeating His adversaries who can only praise Him and acknowledge Him.
What a great victory for which they were ready to pay a great price! They were not like many of us who, confronted with a threat to our possessions or to our safety, shrink instead of looking to God, or like the others around us, bowing down before some abominable statue of this world. "Little children, keep yourselves from idols."
"This is the victory that overcometh
the world, even our faith.”
1 John 54