The king's command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the fiery flames killed the men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The king’s command was so urgentThe urgency of the king's command reflects the absolute authority and impulsive nature of King Nebuchadnezzar. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a king's decree was law, and immediate obedience was expected. This urgency underscores the king's anger and determination to enforce his will, as seen earlier in the chapter when he demands worship of the golden image. and the furnace so hot
The furnace, likely a large industrial kiln used for smelting metals or baking bricks, was heated to an extreme temperature. Archaeological findings suggest such furnaces were common in Babylon, capable of reaching high temperatures. The intense heat symbolizes the severity of the trial faced by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and sets the stage for the miraculous deliverance that follows. that the fiery flames killed the men
This detail highlights the lethal danger of the situation and the miraculous nature of the deliverance. The death of the soldiers emphasizes the supernatural protection over Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. It also serves as a narrative device to demonstrate the power of God over the king's might. who carried up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
The act of carrying up the three men suggests a position of elevation, possibly indicating a pit-like structure for the furnace. The mention of their names reinforces their identity and faithfulness to God, contrasting with the fate of the soldiers. This phrase also connects to the broader theme of divine protection and deliverance found throughout Scripture, such as in Psalm 91:7, where the faithful are preserved amidst danger. Persons / Places / Events 1. King NebuchadnezzarThe Babylonian king who ordered the construction of a golden statue and commanded all to worship it. His decree led to the fiery furnace incident. 2. Shadrach, Meshach, and AbednegoThree Hebrew men, faithful to God, who refused to bow to the statue and were thrown into the fiery furnace as a result. 3. The Fiery FurnaceA large furnace used for execution by burning, heated seven times hotter than usual for this event. 4. The ExecutionersThe soldiers tasked with throwing Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the furnace, who perished due to the extreme heat. 5. BabylonThe empire where these events took place, known for its grandeur and idolatry. Teaching Points Faithfulness Under PressureShadrach, Meshach, and Abednego exemplify unwavering faith in God, even when faced with death. Believers are encouraged to stand firm in their convictions, trusting God’s sovereignty. God’s Sovereign ProtectionThe miraculous survival of the three men highlights God's power to protect His faithful servants. This encourages believers to trust in God's protection in their own trials. The Cost of Disobedience to GodThe fate of the executioners serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of opposing God’s will. It underscores the importance of aligning oneself with God’s commands. Witness to the WorldThe event serves as a powerful testimony to God’s power and faithfulness, impacting even King Nebuchadnezzar. Believers are called to be witnesses through their faith and actions. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego challenge you in your own walk with God, especially when facing societal pressures? 2. In what ways can you apply the lesson of God’s protection in your current life circumstances? 3. How does the account of the fiery furnace encourage you to stand firm in your faith, even when it might lead to personal loss or danger? 4. What are some modern-day "idols" that you might be tempted to bow to, and how can you resist them? 5. How can the outcome of this event inspire you to be a witness to others about God’s power and faithfulness? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:3-5The commandment against idolatry, which Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego upheld by refusing to worship the golden statue. Isaiah 43:2God's promise to be with His people through fire and water, which is exemplified in the protection of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Hebrews 11:34Part of the "Faith Hall of Fame," which mentions those who "quenched the fury of the flames," likely alluding to this event. People Abednego, Daniel, Meshach, Nebuchadnezzar, Obadiah, ShadrachPlaces Babylon, DuraTopics Abednego, Abed'nego, Abed-nego, Burned, Carried, Command, Commandment, Death, Exceeding, Exceedingly, Extremely, Fire, Flame, Flames, Forasmuch, Furnace, Heat, Heated, Hot, Killed, King's, Meshach, Order, Peremptory, Reason, Rigorous, Shadrach, Slew, Soldiers, Spark, Strict, UrgentDictionary of Bible Themes Daniel 3:22 4829 heat
8489 urgency Daniel 3:8-23 7515 anti-semitism Daniel 3:16-27 8027 faith, testing of Daniel 3:19-27 1416 miracles, nature of Daniel 3:20-22 5544 soldiers Library Harmless Fires
'Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king. 14. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? 15. Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Jordan: the Decisive Start. Matthew 3:13-17. Mark 1:9-1Luke
3:21-22. The Anvil of Experience: knowledge only through experience--the Fourth, Daniel 3:25.--three Hebrews, Daniel 3.--Babylonian premier, Daniel 6:16-23.--George Mueller--Jesus made perfect through experience, Hebrews 2:10. 5:8, 9. 7:28, l.c.--all our experiences, Hebrews 2:14-18. Philippians 2:7. Hebrews 4:15, except through sin, Hebrews 4:15, l.c. 7:26. 2 Corinthians 5:21, f.c. 1 Peter 2:22. 1 John 3:5, l.c.--Jesus' suffering, Philippians 2:6-8. Hebrews 2:9, 17, 18. 4:15. His obedience, Luke …
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus Three Names High on the Muster-Roll
IF YOU READ the second chapter of the Book of Daniel, you will think that Nebuchadnezzar was not far from the kingdom. His dream had troubled him; but Daniel had explained it. Then the king made this confession to Daniel, "Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret." He acknowledged that Jehovah, the God of the Jews, was the greatest of gods, and was a great interpreter of secrets; and yet in a short time …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891 The Song of the Three Children
DANIEL iii. 16, 17, 18. 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 hast set up. We read this morning, instead of the Te Deum, the Song of the Three Children, beginning, 'Oh all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise …
Charles Kingsley—The Good News of God The Power and Triumph of Faith. Dan 3:06
…
John Newton—Olney Hymns The Lord Coming to his Temple
The LORD , whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple; even the messenger of the covenant in whom ye delight: Behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like a fuller's soap, -- and he shall purify the sons of Levi -- that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. W hereunto shall we liken the people of this generation? and to what are they like? (Luke 7:31) …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 The Second Commandment
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am o jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of then that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.' Exod 20: 4-6. I. Thou shalt not …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments The Disciple, -- what is the Meaning and Purpose of the Cross...
The Disciple,--What is the meaning and purpose of the cross, and why do pain and suffering exist in the world? The Master,--1. The cross is the key to heaven. At the moment when by My baptism I took the cross upon My shoulders for the sake of sinners, heaven was opened, and by means of My thirty-three years bearing of the cross and by death upon it, heaven, which by reason of sin was closed to believers, was for ever opened to them. Now as soon as believers take up their cross and follow Me they …
Sadhu Sundar Singh—At The Master's Feet A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox.
[In the Prospectus of our Publication it was stated, that one discourse, at least, would be given in each number. A strict adherence to this arrangement, however, it is found, would exclude from our pages some of the most talented discourses of our early Divines; and it is therefore deemed expedient to depart from it as occasion may require. The following Sermon will occupy two numbers, and we hope, that from its intrinsic value, its historical interest, and the illustrious name of its author, it …
John Knox—The Pulpit Of The Reformation, Nos. 1, 2 and 3. A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews Fragrant Spices from the Mountains of Myrrh. "Thou Art all Fair, My Love; There is no Spot in Thee. " --Song of Solomon iv. 7.
FRAGRANT SPICES FROM THE MOUNTAINS OF MYRRH. HOW marvellous are these words! "Thou art all fair, My love; there is no spot in thee." The glorious Bridegroom is charmed with His spouse, and sings soft canticles of admiration. When the bride extols her Lord there is no wonder, for He deserves it well, and in Him there is room for praise without possibility of flattery. But does He who is wiser than Solomon condescend to praise this sunburnt Shulamite? Tis even so, for these are His own words, and were …
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come Daniel
Daniel is called a prophet in the New Testament (Matt. xxiv. 15). In the Hebrew Bible, however, the book called by his name appears not among the prophets, but among "the writings," between Esther and Ezra. The Greek version placed it between the major and the minor prophets, and this has determined its position in modern versions. The book is both like and unlike the prophetic books. It is like them in its passionate belief in the overruling Providence of God and in the sure consummation of His …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Daniel 3:22 NIVDaniel 3:22 NLTDaniel 3:22 ESVDaniel 3:22 NASBDaniel 3:22 KJV
Daniel 3:22 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
