Daniel 3 Commentary
The scripture says we are sinners, so let’s sin. Similarly, and after hearing the interpretation of his dream, Nebuchadnezzar makes a statue of gold. After all, the dream from the LORD said he was the head of gold! Spiritual stupidity at best!
Nebuchadnezzar’s statue wasn’t a tourist attraction! He was a god who demanded to be worshipped. There was a grave consequence for failure: death in the blazing furnace. But who cared? Not Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego!
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” Revelation 2 verse 10.
The message to the church remains the same as the message demonstrated by Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego.
Your faith will have reached a good point if you are ready to lose your life for the sake of your love for your God. By telling the truth, you might lose your dignity and have shame for your clothing but how does that compare with a threat on your life? Indeed, our own battles that we easily lose are nothing compared to the bigger tests that others faced and continue to face.
Regardless of the size of the battle, the LORD provides grace for each one of us. That is one good prayer the LORD will always grant! Our appetites for wrong can always disappear at the feet of the LORD Jesus Christ. Have you been there?
It is the four man in the fire that makes the difference. He may remain invisible to the world until ‘fire times’. Probably that could be the purpose of the ‘fire’ so that the world can see the fourth man.
Nebuchadnezzar’s reaction is important. Many individuals agree with the king that “no other god can save this way”. The God of the three Hebrews is the LORD God, the Creator, and God Almighty. But was he really “born again”? No. He quickly thought of replacing his own image with the God of Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego. He threatened similar violence and extreme punishment to whoever didn’t worship the new ‘god’.
Many are drawn to the miracles without knowing the miracle-worker. Many think and dream of miracles without ever coming to a personal knowledge of the miracle-worker.
Until you come to know the fourth man, you are on your own. You face the fire alone. Importantly, you miss out on immortality in the blessed presence of the Creator God.
Here is our pick from today’s chapter: “The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” We could also try to answer the question that followed the quoted statement: “do you believe this”? John 11 verse 25 and 26.
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