ARE YOU IN THE FIRE?
The Bible has some bizarre stories within its pages. None more strange, than the story of the 3 Hebrew worshipers of God, in the Babylonian exile; Shadrach, Meshach & Abed-Nego.
What had provoked their moment in a burning fiery furnace?
Daniel was serving in the Babylonian court as he had been amongst the first deportees taken into Babylonian exile in 605B.C. His 3 friends were serving in the provinces. Daniel was merely 16yrs of age at the time. The Babylonians picked the best and taught them their literature and language, gave them Babylonian names, in an endeavor to groom them as future leaders thoroughly Babylonian in their thought and actions. Of cause new names and learning a new language didn’t violate God’s word, but eating royal food that had been offered up to idols did, hence they chose to abstain from the delicacies and God blessed them with greater wisdom and health than those around them.
The background to the events in chp.3 were most likely a coup attempt against Nebuchadnezzar in Dec. 595-Jan. 594BC. as recorded in the Babylonian Chronicle. The Babylonian Chronicle informs us that in the 10th year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign a rebellion arose by the king of Akkad in Babylon during which the King had to personally engage in fighting to squelch the revolt.
After squelching the uprising, Nebuchadnezzar summons all his provincial rulers and vassal kings back to Babylon for a loyalty oath. Those who had proven themselves loyal in the royal court were exempt from the ceremony Daniel, being amongst that number. However, Daniel’s three friends had been working as administrators, in the provinces and therefore were summoned (2:49).
A golden image 90ft high and 9ft wide possibly gold plated statue of the Babylonian deity Nabu was erected. Nabu was the Babylonian god of wisdom and writing, worshipped by Babylonians, as the son of Marduk. Nabu is accorded the office of patron of the scribes, taking over from the Sumerian goddess. His symbols are the clay writing tablet with the writing stylus. He wears a horned cap, and stands with hands clasped, in the ancient gesture of priesthood. He rides on a winged dragon (also known as Sirrush) that is initially Marduk’s.
They all must bow down to this image, as a sign of allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar. Imagine as the throngs of people bow down, 3 stand there defiantly, obvious to all. ‘Bow down or die’ is the ultimatum they are confronted with; their is no 2nd thoughts, no can we go and pray about it, can we just fast for a few days and then see. They are prepared in their heart, they have led a fasted life, separated and sanctified unto God, they know their God and the solution is easy. ‘So be it, but our God is well able to deliver us.’
To prove his point, Nebuchadnezzar will heat the furnace 7x hotter than it normal; he is on a mission, unbeknownst to him his mission is not against these men – it is against God…not a war one can EVER win! Imagine the scene as those that throw them in, are killed by the heat of the flames. But that is an expected outcome, because of the intensity of the flame; however, what is not an expected outcome, is the sight of 4 not 3 people in the fire walking about unharmed. In their midst was the pre-incarnate Christ, the One who identifies Himself, 89x as the Son of Man, in the New Testament. The rest is history, the arrogant are humbled, and the humble are elevated.
When we find ourselves in the fire for upholding God and His Word, though no other person stands by us, it may very well feel that we are on our own – however, the 4th Man, the Son of God, is in the fire with us.
Do you see Him, in the fire with you!
DANIEL 3
