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Daniel 3:1-30 (The fiery furnace)

INTRODUCTION: Our message series is called Stories and Visions, and today we come to the third of six stories in the first half of Daniel: the story of the fiery furnace. This is one of the most famous stories in the book of Daniel. It’s also unusual in that it focuses on Daniel’s three friends—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—rather than on Daniel himself. In fact, this is the only chapter where Daniel is completely absent from the story. We’ll talk about why that is later in the message. (Read Daniel 3:13–15 and pray.)

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Do you trust in God?
“Of course I trust in God. I talk to God all the time. God is very important in my life.”

Do you trust God when things aren’t going well?
“Absolutely. When things aren’t going well, I talk to God about it and ask for his help. I believe in the power of prayer.”

Do you trust God when he doesn’t answer your prayers right away?
“Well, that one’s a little harder. But I keep on praying and trust God will answer in his time.”

Would you still trust God even if he denied your request and gave you an absolute no?
“Well ….”

That one’s a little harder, isn’t it? It’s easy to trust Jesus when things are going well or when God answers your prayers quickly. But what happens when you find yourself in the midst of a fiery trial and God doesn’t seem to be answering? Do you still trust him then? Do you doubt his ability to help? Do you doubt his willingness to help?

This is where Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are such good examples for us. They knew God was able to rescue them from the fiery furnace. But even if he didn’t, they refused to bow down to the king’s gods. They were determined to trust and serve the one true living God no matter what.

That’s what we want to talk about in our message today. God is able to rescue those who trust in him. The question is: Are you willing to trust him no matter what?

I. The image of gold (1–7)

Our story begins with King Nebuchadnezzar making a huge image of gold and setting it up on the plains of Babylon. Look at verses 1–3 with me:

King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it. (Dan. 3:1–3)

This incident probably took place about eighteen years after the dream of the statue we read about in the last chapter (see Daniel 3:1 in the Septuagint for the time reference). The image was ninety feet high and nine feet wide, most likely set up on a pedestal to keep it from falling. This was a huge, imposing structure—about as tall as a nine story building.

Daniel emphasizes that this is an image the king set up. Nine times in this passage Daniel repeats that phrase. This stands in stark contrast to what we read in the previous chapter, where Daniel proclaimed that God sets up kings and deposes them (Dan. 2:21). So we already see a conflict emerging between God and the king here.

Nebuchadnezzar summons his officials from all the provinces for the dedication of the image. Daniel lists them in order of importance, and they all stand before the image.

   A. Defying God’s will (1–3)

Here we see an example of the king defying God’s will. This image clearly relates back to the great statue from the king’s dream—the statue with the head of gold, the chest and arms of silver, the belly and thighs of bronze, and the legs of iron, the whole statue that was struck by a rock and shattered. In fact, Daniel uses the same word for image (tselem) here in chapter three that he used for the statue in chapter two (2:31–35).

In the dream, the gold stood for Nebuchadnezzar, but only the head was gold, because Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom would eventually come to an end and be replaced by other kingdoms. But now Nebuchadnezzar makes an image that is all gold.

Nebuchadnezzar is making a statement here. By building this image, Nebuchadnezzar is proclaiming that his kingdom will not be replaced but will continue. This stands in direct opposition not only to the kingdoms that follow in his dream but also to the kingdom of God represented by the rock.

Daniel tells us Nebuchadnezzar set up this image on the plain of Dura. You may recall another structure that was set up on the plains of Babylon—the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. Both structures were built in a spirit of pride and defiance toward God.

God had shown Nebuchadnezzar what was to come, but Nebuchadnezzar rebels against God’s plan as he builds this image of gold in defiance of God’s will.

   B. Demanding God’s worship (4–7)

But Nebuchadnezzar not only defies God’s will here; he also demands God’s worship. Look at verses 4–7:

Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “This is what you are commanded to do, O peoples, nations and men of every language: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. (Dan. 3:4–7)

Notice the herald addresses the peoples, nations and men of every language. At the Tower of Babel, God scattered the people and confused their languages. Now Nebuchadnezzar seeks to reverse God’s judgment as he summons representatives from all the nations and languages back to the plains of Babylon.

He commands them that as soon as they hear the music, they must fall down and worship the image of gold. Anyone who refuses will be thrown into the blazing furnace. And so, as soon as the music plays, they all fall down and worship. This is what you might call “dancing to the devil’s tune.”

Nebuchadnezzar not only defies God’s will; he demands God’s worship. Only God is worthy of worship. Nebuchadnezzar demands that the people take the worship that belongs to the one true God and apply it to the image of gold, which represents Nebuchadnezzar and his gods.

II. Confrontation with the king (8–23)

Next our story moves from the king’s image of gold to a confrontation with the king himself. This confrontation takes place between King Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel’s three friends—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

   A. Denounced by their foes (8–12)

First, they are denounced by their foes. Look at verses 8–12 with me next:

At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! You have issued a decree, O king, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, O king. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Dan. 3:8–12)

Some of the astrologers come forward to denounce the Jews. They flatter the king, they remind him of his decree, they restate the punishment, and then they expose Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego for disobeying the king’s command. Notice how they make it personal: “They pay no attention to you, O king. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Of course, everyone always asks, “Where’s Daniel in all this?” We talked about this last time. According to Daniel 2:49, Daniel was removed from this particular situation. He was serving at the royal court while his three friends were promoted as administrators over the province of Babylon.

This also explains why the astrologers targeted the three friends. Yes, part of it seems racially motivated, as they specifically denounced the Jews. But they singled out Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Why? Because this was personal to them. The three friends had been promoted over them, and they didn’t like it.

   B. Refusal to compromise (13–18)

The king is furious when he hears this. Look at verses 13–15 next:

Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” (Dan. 3:13–15)

The king’s temper flares again. The text literally says his face was distorted. He summons the three friends and asks them, “Is it true?” He gives them a chance to clear themselves. If, when they hear the music, they fall down and worship the image he made, all is forgiven. But if not, they will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace.

Then the king makes a fatal mistake. He asks, “Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” Just as the astrologers made this personal to the king, now the king makes it personal to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. This is not just a matter of appeasing the king to save their lives. It’s a matter of remaining true to God and refusing to compromise.

Look at their response in verses 16–18:

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Dan. 3:16–18)

This is the key section of the whole passage—the three friends’ response. They are under extreme pressure. The power of the state is bearing down on them. There is the pressure of conformity (everyone else is doing it!) as well as the threat of bodily harm and a painful death.

And what do they say in the face of this accusation? “We do not need to defend ourselves.” They are perfectly content to let God defend them instead. “The God we serve is able to save us.” They completely trust God’s ability to save; they trust his omnipotence. “But even if he does not …” They do not presume to know God’s will in the matter. “We will not serve your gods or worship the image.” They are determined to obey God no matter what. They take a bold stand for God and refuse to compromise.

   C. Facing the consequences (19–23)

And as a result, they must now face the consequences. Look at verses 19–23:

Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. (Dan. 3:19–23)

The king is furious again. Notice his attitude has changed. There will be no more chances. He orders the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual. He commands his strongest soldiers to tie them up and throw them into the furnace. The furnace is so hot that the flames kill the soldiers who carry them up! And so these three friends—fully clothed, bound and tied—fall into the blazing furnace.

There will always be consequences when you take a stand for God and refuse to compromise with the world. That’s why so many people choose to compromise instead. They don’t want to face the consequences. But God calls us to be strong. He calls us to be bold. He calls us to be loyal to him.

Worshiping the image would have been a violation of the first and second commandments, and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to compromise. Denounced by their foes and subject to the fury of the king, they were willing to face the consequences rather than go against God. And as a result, they were thrown into the fiery furnace.

III. Rescued from the flames (24–30)

You might say, “Well, that didn’t end well.” Except it’s not the end. When you’re a Christian, it’s never the end. For a Christian, even death is not the end but just a beginning. It may look like the end, and without God it would certainly be all over. But God is still in the picture, and now we come to his rescue of the three friends.

   A. The fourth man (24–25)

The plot twist takes place in the very next verses with the fourth man in the fire.

Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, O king.” He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” (Dan. 3:24–25)

The king’s attitude changes again, this time from anger to amazement. He looks into the furnace and is amazed by five things. First, he sees four men in the furnace instead of three. Second, they are walking around in the fire. Third, they are no longer bound. Fourth, they are completely unharmed. And fifth, there is something extraordinary about this fourth man. He doesn’t look like an ordinary human being but like a son of the gods.

We’re not told exactly who this fourth man is—whether he is an angel sent to rescue them, the angel of the Lord, or even possibly a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. But this is no ordinary man, and even the king recognizes that.

   B. Completely unharmed (26–27)

Next, Nebuchadnezzar calls for the three friends to come out of the fire. Look at verses 26–27:

Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. (Dan. 3:26–27)

Notice he calls them servants of the Most High God. This is significant because before they went into the fire, they told the king, “The God we serve is able to rescue us.” It also appears the king has regained his respect for Israel’s God. The king’s advisers crowd around the three friends to examine them. They discover four things:

   1. their bodies were not harmed,
   2. their hair was not singed,
   3. their robes were not scorched, and
   4. there wasn’t even the smell of fire on them.

That last one is remarkable. I can just sit by a campfire for a few minutes, and my clothing reeks of smoke. These men walked in the midst of a blazing furnace and didn’t even smell like fire.

This is an example of God’s complete and utter deliverance. The three men had boldly told the king, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.” God is able to rescue, and these men came out of the fire completely unharmed.

   C. Promotion and praise (28–30)

But that’s still not the end of the story. The story ends with promotion and praise, similar to what happened with Daniel when he gave the king the dream and its interpretation back in chapter two. Look at verses 28–29 with me now:

Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore 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 no other god can save in this way.” (Dan. 3:28–29)

The king praises the God of Israel once again. Notice he still does not claim him as his God, but rather as the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. He praises the three friends as well. They trusted in God and defied the king’s command. They were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

Then he issues a new decree. Instead of, “If anyone doesn’t worship the image of gold, they will be killed,” now it is, “If anyone says anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, they will be killed.” Those enemies who denounced the Jews earlier had better be careful what they say.

Finally, he promotes the three friends. Look at verse 30:

Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon. (Dan. 3:30)

The king promotes them—again! This is now the third time they have been promoted (1:19; 2:49; 3:30). This is the last we hear of Daniel’s three friends, but they serve as a wonderful example of boldness, loyalty and trust. Verse 28 sums up the passage well: “They trusted in [the Lord] and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.”

CONCLUSION: God is able to rescue those who trust in him. If God can rescue three men from a fiery furnace, he can certainly help you or me through whatever problems we are facing. But don’t forget, there is a condition attached to this rescue. God is able to rescue those who trust in him. You need to trust in God.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego knew that God was able to rescue them, and they were confident that God would rescue them. But here is where trust truly comes in. Even if God chose not to rescue them, they refused to compromise. They refused to serve other gods or bow down and worship the image of gold.

Let me close with three applications from our passage for us today.

1) God is able to deliver completely (Isaiah 43:2; Luke 21:18; Hebrews 7:25)

First, God is able to deliver completely. There are no limits on God. The prophet Isaiah wrote: “When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” (Isa. 43:2). Jesus told his disciples: “Not a hair of your head will perish” (Luke 21:18). The book of Hebrews says: “He is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Heb. 7:25). God is able to deliver completely.

2) You should be faithful no matter what (Job 13:15; Philippians 1:20; 1 Peter 4:12)

Secondly, you should be faithful no matter what. God is faithful, and you need to be faithful too. Your obedience is more important than God’s deliverance. Job said: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust him” (Job 13:15). Paul testified: “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death” (Phil. 1:20). The apostle Peter wrote: “Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12). The word translated painful there means fiery or burning. Some Bibles even translate this as: “Do not be surprised at the fiery trial you are suffering.” Peter could very well be thinking of the fiery furnace in Daniel 3 as he writes these words.

God does not always remove the trial, but he promises always to be with us in the fire. We need to be willing to stand alone, knowing that God stands with us. Are you able to say, “No compromise. I will be faithful to God even if my life is on the line.”

3) Jesus is the one who ultimately delivers us from the fire (Matthew 13:42,50)

Finally, Jesus is the one who ultimately delivers us from the fire. The fourth man in the furnace—whether an angel, the angel of the Lord, or a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ—was certainly a type or foreshadowing of Jesus. Jesus is the one who delivers from the fire. Jesus is the one who delivers us from hell, which he himself compared to a fiery furnace (Matt. 13:42, 50).

I pray that as a result of this message, you will learn that you can trust God no matter what. I pray that you will understand there is another in the fire with you, that Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you. I pray that like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, you will refuse to compromise and be willing to face the consequences, whatever they may be. And I pray that you will commit to worshiping and serving Christ alone in your life.

© Ray Fowler

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