The Price of Commitment

Hebrews 11:1-40, Daniel 3

King Nebuchadnezzar had an image made of gold set up in the dessert that was about 90 feet tall and 9 feet wide; probably 9 feet square at the base.  He may have done this as a reaction to the dream in chapter 2 desiring to be all gold.  When the three Hebrew men refused to bow they were brought before the king.  

Key Points:

  1. Notice in Daniel 3:8 that certain Chaldeans maliciously accused the Jews.  They were probably jealous of Shadrach, Meshach, an Abednego positions in government.

  2. Daniel 3:7&14 clearly spells out the issue.  The bowing down, or falling down, was clearly a symbol of worshipping the kings gods (notice gods is plural) and the golden image that he had made.

  3. The three replied, Daniel 3:16-18 they would not worship the kings gods or the golden image.

  4. After the three were throw into the fiery furnace there appeared four men walking unhurt.  Daniel 3:25

  5. Also in Daniel 3:25 the king recognized that the fourth man was like a son of the gods.  Notice again gods in small g and plural.  What was distinctive about the forth man we are not told.

  6. The king called the 3 Hebrew men out and not even the smell of smoke was on them.  Daniel 3:27.

  7. The rest of the chapter, Daniel 3:28-30, tells how the king recognized the power of their God and promoted them.  His recognition did not result in him changing his allegiance.

The question:  is our faith strong enough to stand for truthfulness like Shadrach, Meshach, an Abednego

 

Listen to messages