Daniel: Far From HomeНамуна

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego have not obeyed the king’s order. They have not given in to the pressure to do what God forbids. And, respectfully, they have explained to the king their trust in the power and promises of God.

Nebuchadnezzar is furious. People did not disobey him and get away with it. He orders the furnace temperature to be increased. The exiles are tied up in their clothing and thrown in. So hot was it that the soldiers who threw them in were killed.

Verse 24 begins the surprising turnaround of the chapter. The king is astonished. He questions what he sees. In verse 25 we read the report. He has thrown three into the furnace. But now he sees four. He has thrown them to death. But now he sees them alive. He has had them bound and thrown into the fire. But now he sees them unbound and walking.

The exiles’ trust has been vindicated (v.17). Back in verse 15 the king thought that he was in control. He boastfully declared, ‘…what god will be able to rescue you from my hand’. Now he has seen that there is a God bigger than him!

In verse 26 the exiles are commanded out of the fire. The miraculous nature of their escape is underlined in verse 27. There is not even the smell of fire on them.

As we saw at the end of chapter 2, it seems in verses 28 to 30 the king of Babylon has understood the God of the Jews is in control. He praises Him, and confirms the exiles’ trust in Him. He then orders that blasphemy against the Lord be punished by death (v. 29), and promotes the three (v. 30). However, as encouraging as this seems, none of these things means that the king is converted. Chapter 4 will show us that.

The exiles are spared the death penalty as they serve God in this distant land. However, we should not read this episode as a promise to us in this life. Hebrews 11:34 alludes to Daniel chapter 3. It tells us that the exiles have demonstrated faith and were rescued. But the chapter continues by telling us that others were not rescued. They ‘were put to death by the sword’ (v. 37). Faithfulness to the Lord does not guarantee rescue in this world. However, as Hebrews encourages us, faithfulness to the Lord may lead us to suffer now, but will lead us to the ultimate ‘rescue’ of glory itself.

Reflection

What might help you remember that the Lord is the one who is in total control for His people and His promises, and so be encouraged to stand in obedience to Him?