By Joneil Alcock
The book of Daniel is an interesting one; fairly short with just twelve chapters but filled with fantastic history of the reign of Babylon and the Medes and Persians, the captivity of the Jews and prophecies concerning the different generations/kingdoms of the world, the coming of Christ and the Anti-Christ, conflict among nations and the eventual release of Israel from captivity (as explained earlier by the prophet Jeremiah).
One section that is captivating everytime I read it is Chapter 3 which relates the famous story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and their defiance of King Nebuchadnezzar and his image of gold. We’re not told what exactly this image represented, whether it was an interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the great image in Chapter 2, maybe an image of himself, or some other beast, like the bull/Ba’al worshipped in Babylon. What we do know is that the King instructed everyone to bow down and worship it or else they would be “cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” (Daniel 3:6)
Of course, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego defied that order and everything changed after that. Being Jewish, they remembered Moses’ Law and specifically the first two commandments that relate to having love only for the one true God and not to make images out of wood, gold or anything else to which you then worship instead of Jehovah-God.
Their answer to King Nebuchadnezzar who asked them “who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” (Daniel 3:15) was quite remarkable given the circumstances.
“O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 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 has set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18)
The King of Babylon became enraged, heated up the fiery furnace seven times more and got some strong men to toss the three Jewish men into the depths of the furnace. But what happened next was remarkable! They survived. Nebuchadnezzar saw them walking in the midst of the furnace with a fourth person whose form he describes as “like the Son of God.” Some scholars remark that this is actually one of the rare pre-New testament appearances of Christ. (Daniel 3:25)
They came out of the furnace unharmed, neither was the hair on their heads singed or their clothing (coats) charred or even the smell of smoke was upon them. It was as if they hadn’t been in the fiery furnace at all!
King Nebuchadnezzar then makes a decree that no one should speak anything amiss against Jehovah-God because there is “no other God that can deliver after this sort.” (Daniel 3 :29)
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego whose birth/Jewish names were actually Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, stayed true to themselves and their God despite fear of death. How many persons would have been able to do that? What is even more notable is that they regarded God may not necessarily have saved them from the danger of the fire but that they were willing to die to let everyone know they would not bow down to any false God.
Idolatry (in its truest sense) may not be as common nowadays but we also set up false gods in our lives. It may be our work/occupation, our families, or some interesting hobby or game. It may even be a movie or show that we love to watch. Are we willing to give it up to do things which are worthy and pleasing in God’s sight? Can we drop our dependence on the things and beliefs of this world ad truly decide to worship God?
It’s not an easy task. The things of this world and our lust for it can be overwhelming, but to God be the glory we always have the knowledge to follow the greater beauty of the worship of the One True God. The Apostle Paul would write to the Romans that “the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen.” (Romans 1:20). In fact, he goes on to say that it is so clear that we are without excuse to know to worship the eternal power of the Godhead.
The negative side of it is that God will leave up to people who choose not to give up the corruptible, to uncleanness and an enlarging of their lusts. In Paul’s words, God gave them up to “vile affections” (Romans 1:26) and eventually found them to have a “reprobate mind” (Romans 1:28) that would not retain the knowledge of God.
We know this story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego but let us never forget how useful God can make anyone in a seemingly dire or challenging situation. Additionally, we must choose to stand up for God and His ways and living. We must be willing to face the negative effects of this in a world that has gone astray and willing to do whatever and follow wherever. We must know that in the end God rules.
