Describe the statue that Nebuchadnezzar set
up. Daniel 3:1
An image of feet
high, feet
wide. And set up on the plain of
NOTE: This imposing sight on the plains of Dura
Nebuchadnezzar made all of gold to indicate that his kingdom would last
forever. This was in contrast to the image of Daniel 2, which was made
up of various metals and indicated a succession of empires.
Nebuchadnezzar was defying the God of Heaven.
Who were invited to the dedication of the
image? Daniel 3:2, 3
NOTE: Most key leaders in the realm of Babylon
were invited to the dedication of this statue. History tells us that
there had recently been a rebellion in Babylon and the king questioned
the loyalty of his subjects. The dedication of the image would be an
opportunity for everyone in the realm to pledge their loyalty to the
government. Not to bow down would be considered treason.
Perhaps there were other Jewish leaders
present, as well. But only three stood firm for God.
What were all these rulers to do when the
music sounded? Daniel 3:3-5
You must fall down and
NOTE: Notice that false worship, worship of the
image, was the issue that faced the three young men.
What penalty would be received by those who
failed to worship the image? Daniel 3:6
They will immediately be thrown into a
A REFUSAL TO
WORSHIP FALSELY
What charge did the Chaldeans make concerning
certain Jews? Daniel 3:7-12
They
NOTE: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego must have
really stood out when the entire crowd bowed at the sound of the music.
It would have been very easy to rationalize that they weren't really
worshipping the image, but just showing their loyalty to the king. But
they knew that loyalty to God was involved, therefore they would not
bow down.
What commandment forbade false worship? Exodus 20:4-6
The
NOTE: For the three men to bow down and worship
the golden image would be disobedience to a commandment of God. The
issues of worship and obedience to the commandments of God are both
illustrated in this story.
Remember that the focal point of Daniel is the
last days. Later in this lesson, as we compare this chapter with the
book of Revelation, we will see that the time will come in the last
days when true worship will be forbidden. People will be commanded to
worship contrary to God's commandments, but His people will always be
obedient.
When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were
brought before King Nebuchadnezzar to answer the charges against them,
how did he threaten them? Daniel 3:13-15
You will be thrown immediately into a
NOTE: Nebuchadnezzar gave the three young men a
second chance. He could have thrown them in at their first refusal to
worship.
Did the men need time to think it over? Daniel 3:16
We do not need to
NOTE: This expression simply means that they
did not need to explain their position. They had made their decision.
Before they came to the plain of Dura they had decided not to yield, no
matter how they were threatened. They could not be intimidated.
Obedience to God was more important than a display of loyalty to the
king that involved false worship.
How did the men respond to Nebuchadnezzar's
offer of a second chance? Daniel 3:17, 18
If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the
God we serve is able to
NOTE: What a tremendous testimony of faith!
This is the focal point of the entire story. If God delivered them,
that would be fine, but even if He didn't, they would still serve Him.
Their faithfulness to God did not depend upon their deliverance. They
did not obey God because of what he could do for them. Their obedience
sprang out of principle. So it will be with God's people in the last
days. Whether God delivers them from persecution or even certain death
is not the key factor. The only thing that really matters is that they
love God and are obedient to Him.
THE FIERY
FURNACE
How did Nebuchadnezzar respond to the
Hebrews' defense? Daniel 3:19
He ordered the furnace heated seven
What happened to the soldiers who threw
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into the fiery furnace? Daniel 3:22
They were
How were they thrown into the furnace? Daniel 3:23
The three men, firmly
When Nebuchadnezzar looked inside the furnace
again, what did he see? Daniel 3:24, 25
I see
NOTE: When the men were thrown into the fiery
furnace, the only thing destroyed was the ropes that bound them. Rather
than harming them, the fire loosed them.
How many men did Nebuchadnezzar see in the
fire? Daniel 3:25
NOTE: Although three men were thrown into the
fiery furnace, Nebuchadnezzar now saw four men.
Who was the fourth one in the fire with the
three men? Daniel 3:25
a
NOTE: Nebuchadnezzar's beliefs in many gods was
so ingrained that this fourth person had to be a son of the gods. He
was yet to learn of the One God.
God did not free the three young men from going
through the fire. Instead, He walked through the fire with them! That's
the kind of God we have. We may undergo many trials in our lives, there
may be many difficulties; but the Son of God walks with us through the
fire. In the last days when God's people go through the terrible trials
that will come, they can have the same assurance that Shadrach, Meshach
and Abednego had and know that the Son of God will walk through the
fire with them.
How did Nebuchadnezzar address Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego when he called them out of the fire? Daniel 3:26
of
the
NOTE: This experience gave Nebuchadnezzar a
tremendous revelation of the true God. God so patiently worked to win
Nebuchadnezzar to himself. So God works to win every human heart.
After seeing this display of God's power,
what decree did Nebuchadnezzar make? Daniel 3:27-30
I decree that the people of any nation or
language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and
Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of
rubble, for
NOTE: God must have smiled as Nebuchadnezzar
made this decree. Surely He was happy that Nebuchadnezzar felt so
strongly about him, but Nebuchadnezzar had much to learn. God does not
accept forced worship. Even if the government decrees that everyone
should worship the true God, the only service acceptable to God is that
which springs from a heart filled with love. God does not want people
to worship Him because the government says so, but only because they
have fallen in love with Him and want to worship Him.
REVELATION 13
AND
What happened to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
in ancient Babylon is comparable to events that will transpire in the
last days. Revelation 13 pictures for us a parallel scene to Daniel 3.
Let's notice the similarities.
What were the inhabitants of the earth
commanded to do by the two-horned beast? Revelation 13:11, 12
Its inhabitants
NOTE: The issue in the last days has to do with
worshipping the beast. The command for false worship is a key thought
in the books of Daniel and Revelation.
After bringing fire down from Heaven and
performing other miracles, what does this beast declare the people
should make? Revelation 13:13, 14
An
NOTE: Once again an image is erected!
What are people asked to do to the image of
the beast? Revelation 13:15
To
What will happen to those who refuse to
worship the image of the beast? Revelation 13:15
All who refused to worship the image to be
What other restrictions will be placed upon
those who refuse to worship the beast and receive his mark? Revelation 13:16, 17
So that no one could
NOTE: Economic restrictions and finally a death
penalty are passed upon those who refuse to worship the image of the
beast or receive the mark of the beast. (Lessons 16 and 22 will clearly
identify the beast and his mark, as well as the image to the beast.) In
this lesson we can already see that the issues are identical to Daniel
3. In both chapters people are, commanded to worship an image, and are
threatened with death, but they remain faithful to the commandments of
God.
When the beast calls for people to worship
its image, whom does God ask them to worship? Revelation 14:7
Worship
NOTE: Simultaneous with the decree given to
worship the image to the beast, God sends a message for all the world
to worship the Creator. The issue of the last days is the same as the
issue in Daniel's day, that of worshipping God out of love for him.
Where will those who get the victory over the
beast and his image ultimately stand? Revelation 15:2
Beside the
NOTE: Just as God had victorious people in
Daniel's day, He will have a victorious people in the time of the end.
Their concern will not be deliverance, but faithfulness to God. They
will remain as true to Him as did Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They
will serve God even in the face of death.
Is serving God a priority of your life?
