International Sunday School February 11, 2024 Winter Quarter #11
Background
Nebuchadnezzar had the dream about the great statue that Daniel interpreted. Some have made a conjecture that the idol he built in the next chapter was modeled to some minor degree from that dream. I tend to think that is the case; however, it is a minor point in the story. It is more important to focus on the respect and appreciation that Nebuchadnezzar had for them and how quickly he changed when the three stood up to him when he built the idol and demanded everyone bow down and worship the idol.
Nebuchadnezzar in a Rage
Daniel 3:19-20 ESV Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. (20) And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
Into the Furnace
Daniel 3:21-23 ESV Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. (22) Because the king’s order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. (23) And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace.
Four Men
Daniel 3:24-25 ESV Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” (25) He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”
Come Out
Daniel 3:26 ESV Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire.
No Smell of the Fire
Daniel 3:27 ESV And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them.
Nebuchadnezzar Praises God
Daniel 3:28 ESV Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.
Concluding Thoughts
Hold true to God and He will see you through the trouble. Also, like Nebuchadnezzar, when you see how foolish you have been — change.
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