November 24, 2016
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Battle of the Gods

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Almighty God, You are sovereign of this nation and the source of the manifold blessings of life. My heart bursts with gratitude to You.

Read Daniel 3:1-30

[1] King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. [2] 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. [3] 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. [4] Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: [5] As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. [6] Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” [7] Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. [8] At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. [9] They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! [10] Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, [11] and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. [12] 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, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.” [13] Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, [14] 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? [15] Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe 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?” [16] Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. [17] If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. [18] But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” [19] 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 [20] and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. [21] So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. [22] 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, [23] and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. [24] 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, Your Majesty.” [25] 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.” [26] 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, [27] 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. [28] 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. [29] 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.” [30] Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reflect

We need wisdom to know on what issue and in what way to make a stand where society diverges from Christian teaching. Remember that obedience may be costly.

Was it the dream that stimulated the image? Did Nebuchadnezzar want to take control of his destiny? Perhaps he wanted to assert that he was no one’s puppet, not even God’s! The scene was set for one of the most remarkable acts of compelled submission, which would set the standard for future totalitarian states. The music began and the drama unfolded. Across the land in unison they responded—except not all. The refusal of three men spoiled the whole show, and it was worse because they were among the king’s favored few. Never mind, perhaps the message had not gotten through. Correct behavior will follow a step-by-step briefing—except it didn’t.
Daniel was not the only Jew who dared to be different. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego remained completely unmoved by either the generosity of a second chance or the fearful consequences that would follow a repeated act of disobedience. For them the issue was clear. Life was not circumscribed by the time between birth and death, but instead defined by the choices you make. They had made their choice and whatever followed was not in their hands. They trusted that God would deliver them, whether from death or through death (Heb. 11:32–38), and so they faced the flames with equanimity.
The foolishness of the king is seen in his desire to heat things up (making death quicker) and incidentally wiping out the execution squad(!), not cooling things down (thereby increasing the suffering). Even eyesight issues arose as three become four! Shaken, Nebuchadnezzar calls them out of the fire and they emerge with not even a scorch mark to display. Praise to God is given, but the accompanying threats reveal that Nebuchadnezzar has still some way to go in letting God be God!

Was it the dream that stimulated the image? Did Nebuchadnezzar want to take control of his destiny? Perhaps he wanted to assert that he was no one’s puppet, not even God’s! The scene was set for one of the most remarkable acts of compelled submission, which would set the standard for future totalitarian states. The music began and the drama unfolded. Across the land in unison they responded—except not all. The refusal of three men spoiled the whole show, and it was worse because they were among the king’s favored few. Never mind, perhaps the message had not gotten through. Correct behavior will follow a step-by-step briefing—except it didn’t.

Daniel was not the only Jew who dared to be different. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego remained completely unmoved by either the generosity of a second chance or the fearful consequences that would follow a repeated act of disobedience. For them the issue was clear. Life was not circumscribed by the time between birth and death, but instead defined by the choices you make. They had made their choice and whatever followed was not in their hands. They trusted that God would deliver them, whether from death or through death (Heb. 11:32–38), and so they faced the flames with equanimity.

The foolishness of the king is seen in his desire to heat things up (making death quicker) and incidentally wiping out the execution squad(!), not cooling things down (thereby increasing the suffering). Even eyesight issues arose as three become four! Shaken, Nebuchadnezzar calls them out of the fire and they emerge with not even a scorch mark to display. Praise to God is given, but the accompanying threats reveal that Nebuchadnezzar has still some way to go in letting God be God!

Apply

“We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29, NASB). What tough issues are you facing at the moment? How are you handling them? How does today’s passage help you?

Closing prayer

Lord, I need Your wisdom and grace as I face the choices of today. Infuse me with courage and clear convictions as I seek to live for Your glory.

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