Babylon Forever
By the end of chapter 2 Nebuchadnezzar had been deeply impressed by the ability of Daniel to not only tell him what his dream had been but also to provide an intelligent interpretation of it. But Nebuchadnezzar apparently was not totally thrilled about the idea of another kingdom rising up in the place of Babylon. And so, (perhaps at the instigation of some jealous Babylonian wise men) he determined one day to rewrite the prophecy. Why should only the head be gold? He would make an image entirely of gold from head to toe, symbolic of a golden Babylon that would last forever.
Daniel 3:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
And so, Nebuchadnezzar made his golden image. No silver, bronze, iron, or clay here, just gold all the way, right down to the toes. Babylon forever! Nebuchadnezzar must have been immensely proud of his creation.
Daniel 3:2-6 And King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to gather together the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. So the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered together for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then a herald cried aloud: “To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.”
Once the image was finished there was only one thing left to do. Throw the biggest party anyone had ever seen. Everyone who was anyone was there. Everything was in place. The golden image shone brilliantly in the sunlight, the crowds were gathered, the band was ready to play, and Nebuchadnezzar had just given his inspirational bow-down-and-worship-or-else speech. Nebuchadnezzar had an agenda. But so did God. And God was about to use Nebuchadnezzar’s agenda to reveal His truth to Babylon.
Standing on the Plain of Dura
Daniel 3:7 So at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, and lyre, in symphony with all kinds of music, all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Well, almost all the people fell down and worshiped the image. When that great multitude prostrated themselves before that image three men stood out in stark contrast. There was no way they could be missed, they were the only ones standing. Now wouldn’t this have been a really good time for them to suddenly discover that their sandal straps were untied. “I’m not bowing down to the image; I’m just tying my shoe laces.”
It is easy to be brave when the multitudes stand with you, when you can blend in with the crowd, but how much harder it is when you must stand alone, and stand out from the crowd. How easy it would have been to rationalize some action on their part to blend in with the crowd. But if they had done so, their testimony would have been forever destroyed. Whether we know it or not, whether we want them to or not, people are watching us. Yes, we are being watched and what we do, and what we do not do, will have an influence for good or evil.
Daniel 3:8-12 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jews. They spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the gold image; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. here are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.”
The Chaldeans [these are the wise men of Babylon] who made the accusation were probably still smarting under their failure to interpret the king’s dream in chapter 2, and perhaps more than somewhat jealous of the high positions of honor into which Daniel and his friends had been thrust because of their trust in God.
Where was Daniel on this occasion? We do not know. But it is probable that Nebuchadnezzar, knowing that Daniel would never bow down and worship this image, sent him off on some business of the empire at this time in order to avoid mutual embarrassment. However, it seems he either overlooked or misjudged the character of Daniel’s three companions.
But why should Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, since they knew they could not worship the image, be present on the occasion? It was because they were willing to comply with the king’s requirements as far as they could without compromising their religious principles. The king required them to be present. With this requirement they could comply, and they did. He also required them to worship the image. This they could not do for God had expressly forbidden such worship, and this they therefore refused to do.
The course that these three men of God followed is the same course that we find written in the New Testament, the same course that the apostles counseled Christians to follow in regard to their conduct and attitude toward the requirements of civil governments.
1 Peter 2:13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—
Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
So far as it is possible to do so without violating the commandments of God, without violating conscience, we are to comply with the requirements of whatever government God has seen fit to put over us. Even if that power, that government, is corrupt and abusive of its powers as Rome was in the apostles day.
“This Far You May come, but no Farther”
But these words of Paul and Peter do not require the Christian to obey either persons or governments when their requirements come into conflict with the Word of God. The Christian, as a loyal citizen of whatever government God has seen fit to place them under, will go as far as possible in compliance with the will of that state. — Even if, figuratively speaking, that means standing on the plain of Dura before a golden image. Why? Because as Peter said; “That by well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.”
But there is a boundary beyond which the Christian will not pass. Though ever loyal, though ever polite, courteous, and respectful to authority; and in spite of any threat or enticement to encourage compliance, the true Christian will steadfastly refuse to take a single step beyond the boundaries set by God in His Word.
The Christian in the last days will have many enemies ready and willing to cry treason at the slightest pretext. Just as it was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego every move they make or don’t make will be watched by jealous enemies that they may find some reason to accuse them, to discredit and destroy them.
On the flip side there are many who call themselves Christians who by their fanaticism bring reproach upon the cause of God. And this is just as Satan would have it. These fanatical ones seem to think that religion consists of great excitement and noise and paranoia. They talk and act in such a manner as to deliberately provoke a negative response from authorities, and then they play the rule of persecuted martyr. That is not the Biblical example.
1 Peter 2:19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.
Jesus said: “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11).
Although many throughout history have sought to create a false persecution by deliberate provocation, this is not what the three Hebrews did. They did not deliberately set out to bring persecution on themselves. In every way possible they complied with the requirements of their king. And as we shall see, even after accused by their enemies and brought before Nebuchadnezzar for questioning, they remained courteous and polite and respectful all the way – but also stood solidly and boldly for God the whole way too.
“But if Not”
Daniel 3:13-18 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
Nebuchadnezzar was enraged. (Yes, he had anger management issues). He ordered the three men to appear before him. He knew, of course, that they did not worship his gods. He was not asking them to abandon the worship of their God. All he required was that they bow down (just this once) before this image in recognition of the greatness of his kingdom, Babylon. But these men recognized a greater power – that of God.
The situation was not unlike that which early Christians would face in Rome, where many suffered great persecution because they steadfastly refused to make a token offering of incense in worship of the Caesars. Every age has had its golden image to which Christians have been urged to bow before. And many Christians have suffered much for not bowing down to whatever happened to be the golden image of their age.
To disobey the king’s order was treason punishable by death. But Nebuchadnezzar, offered to give them another chance. However, they did not need another chance. Their answer was decisive. “We are not careful,” they said, “to answer thee in this matter.” That is, “There is no need for you to give us another chance. Our minds are made up, and it will not change. ‘We will not serve your gods, nor will we worship the golden image. Our God can deliver us if He so desires, but if not …’”
Scripture says: “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” And again, “The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” (Psalm 46:1; Psalm 34:7). And God had promised through Isaiah; “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” (Isaiah 43:2).
“Though He Slay Me, Yet Will I Trust Him”
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew that God was more than able to deliver them, but they also knew that God did not always work a miracle to deliver His people. In Gethsemane Jesus prayed; “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39).
The answer to Jesus’ prayer was death by crucifixion. Many Christians are willing to say with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand,” and here they stop. But faith is willing to take the next step and say, “But if not.” The phrase “But if not,” like Jesus’ nevertheless, epitomizes real faith, the kind of faith that says, “not my will, Lord, but yours be done.” The kind of faith that says, “I trust the Lord no matter what.” “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15).
Deliverance is not the issue. Let me repeat that. Deliverance is not the issue — Loyalty to God is. You need to decide before the crises come in your life to follow God from principle and not from convenience. Know in your heart, to the very depth of your being, that no matter what the cost you will follow God – even if He doesn’t work everything out for you in this life as you would like Him to. Be willing to say with Job “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15).
These three men were ready. When they first came to Babylon, they resolved not to compromise their faith even as seemingly small a matter as the king’s food and drink. Now, when a much larger test of their faith has come, they still stood firm for God. Having been faithful when times were easy, having been faithful in the little things of life, they could now stand firm when things looked most bleak.
These three men did not want to die. But come what may, they would not deny God.
The Fourth Man
Daniel 3:19-25 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
Thing were looking bleak for these three men. Nebuchadnezzar was not the type to make idle threats. Bound tightly so they could not move, they were picked up and tossed into the furnace like so many logs. Not till then, not till they were flying through the air and into the flames did God step in. Not till that moment did these three men see the slightest hint of deliverance.
When man has done his absolute worst, God can always add a final chapter. And what a chapter it was. In his fury Nebuchadnezzar had challenged God saying: “Who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” (verse 15). There was another king once upon a time who made a very similar statement. a king who by the way who had also held the children of Israel in captivity. “And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.” (Exodus 5:2).
Like Pharaoh before him, Nebuchadnezzar did not realize the power he was opposing. In a matter of minutes Nebuchadnezzar got the revelation of his life. Suddenly all thought of his golden image was forgotten. The impossible had happened. Those three men were walking around in the fire completely unharmed. And they were not alone. Nebuchadnezzar saw the very God that he had defied walking in the fire with His three faithful servants. Yes, God did not prevent them from being thrown into the fire, but He was right there in the fire with them.
Daniel 3:26-30 Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here.” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire. And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them. Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God! Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this.” Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon.
Notice that Nebuchadnezzar did not call the fourth man out of the fire. We are not told why, but we can speculate that Nebuchadnezzar was too afraid to meet that One face to face. Yes, the image was forgotten. God’s faithful servants were now the center of attention. Once again God had used the wrath of man to His own glory, as it is written; “Surely the wrath of man shall praise You.” (Psalm 76:10).
These faithful men, instead of being destroyed were promoted. Their humble courage in the face of bitter opposition has inspired countless thousands throughout the centuries. We would do well to study their example in these days when loyalty to God is often regarded as obstinacy.
That was not blind obstinacy. It was faith – the faith of Jesus that will characterize the last witnesses of God’s true people on earth. We need such faith today.
It is easy in such a situation to rationalize. Some might have reasoned that a simple genuflection was little enough to do for a king who had treated them so kindly. But these men could not compromise, for they were first of all God’s servants and only second servants of Nebuchadnezzar.
They knew God could deliver; however, they went on to add, “but if not.” How hard those words are to say. God does not always intervene in such a miraculous way.
God’s deliverance of His servants “changed the king’s word,” as He can change the words of any and all who challenge His right to rule.