Daniel 3
In chapter 2 we have seen a man, Nebuchadnezzar, exalted by God to the highest position of authority on earth; the third chapter shows what that man shortly did with the authority he derived from God. No doubt he thought lie was doing the wisest thing for the good of his empire, in seeking to unite all his subjects in the bond of one common religion.
We can see that purpose at work in certain countries at the present time, and it will be tried again before the Lord Jesus descends in power to take rule over the whole world.
There was everything for the sight and hearing in the display in the plain of Dura. An image of gold ninety feet high, and nine feet in breadth, surrounded by all the chief and petty rulers of the empire, and with a great variety of musical instruments sounding their notes, were enough to impress anyone not in the secret of the true God.
Three only, it seems (for Daniel at least was not there) of the many of Nebuchadnezzar’s, servants who were present, failed to prostrate themselves before the colossal image, and these were quickly detected and reported to the king. Their failure to bow down would be particularly offensive to him, because of the prominent place they had in the government of the province of Babylon.
All must accept the religion imposed by the sovereign, or die, He asks the three Hebrew believers in the only true God if they will not worship the idol, threatening them with death in the Barnes of the furnace, but there is no yielding on their part. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego raise no protest, it will be seen, against the authority of the king, or his wicked plans.
Their trust is in their God whom they serve, and He is able to deliver them; “and He will deliver us out of thy hand, O king,” though they did not know how that would be accomplished — perhaps through death. But if He should not overcome Nebuchadnezzar’s power with His own, these faithful men were ready to give up their lives. The king’s decree was such that God must be obeyed rather than himself (Acts 5:2929Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)).
The impotence of man in the presence of God is shortly seen, when the three objects of the king’s diabolical rage are observed to be walking, unharmed, in the midst of the flames; and further, completing Nebuchadnezzar’s confounding, there is a fourth with them. We note the heathen king’s description of this Person. No mere man did he see; and there can scarcely he doubt that He who walked in the fire with His faithful servants was none other than the Son of God.
Deeply affected, frightened indeed, by the answer of God to the treatment accorded His witnesses, Nebuchadnezzar begs them to come forth. The God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego he now acknowledges a second time, and declares that none may speak amiss concerning Him. The three are promoted in the province—a testimony to their faithfulness which they could not have anticipated.
ML 05/31/1936