Daniel 3:16

THE FIERY FURNACE.--3:16-28.

GOLDEN TEXT. -- Our God whom we serve is able to deliver its from the burning fiery furnace. -- Daniel 3:17. TIME. --B. C. 587. PLACE. --Plain of Dura, near Babylon. HELPFUL READINGS. -- Daniel 2:1-49; Daniel 3:1-15; Jeremiah 29:22 LESSON ANALYSIS. --1.. Heroic Resolution; 2.. Fiery Trial; 3.. Glorious Deliverance; 4.. Converted King.

INTRODUCTION.

. considerable period, variously estimated, but probably from twenty to twenty-five, years, had passed since the education that Daniel and his companions had received in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar. If they were fifteen or sixteen years old at the time that they requested the change of diet, they had reached, at the date of this lesson, near or quite forty years of age, and were in the prime of life. All held important offices in the land of exile. Daniel's explanation of the wonderful dream of the king, in which he had seen the image with head of gold, breast and arms of silver, middle parts of brass, legs of iron, and feet of iron and clay mingled, and which was finally broken in pieces by the stone cut out without hands, had secured him the highest favor and caused his exaltation to the position of governor over the province of Babylon, and to be placed at the head of the ministers of the king, the second instance of. Hebrew exile being exalted to so lofty. dignity in. country to which he was carried as. captive. The modern instance of the Jew, Disraeli, becoming the prime minister of Great Britain, causes an association of his name, from similarity of fortunes, with Joseph and Daniel. At the request of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego were given important trusts under him in the direction of the affairs of the province of Babylon, but Daniel himself was stationed in the royal palace as the king's chief counsellor.

Some years after the exaltation of Daniel, how many we do not know, the king determined to require all his officers to worship. golden image, probably of his chief god, that he had set up in the plain of Dura. It is not likely that he expected any opposition from any source. He was. polytheist and recognized Jehovah as being one of the gods. He was so far from comprehending the monotheism of the Hebrews that it did not seem inconsistent to him for them to bow the knee to his god as well as to worship Jehovah. Had he consulted Daniel about the matter he would have learned better, but oriental despotic kings were not wont to ask advice when. caprice entered their minds.

In what follows some surprise is expressed that Daniel was not involved in the same fate as his three friends. It must be borne in mind that Daniel's place was in the palace, not in the plain of Dura, that the others were employed elsewhere, and with other subordinates were marshalled to worship the image and their refusal was instantly detected. Had Daniel been called to the plain of Dura, the result in his case would have been the same.

The student must keep in mind that the Hebrew race was now in exile in the country where our lesson is located. Since the date of the last lesson the final overthrow of Jerusalem and the temple had taken place, the beloved city was now. howling ruin, and the children of Israel were weeping by the "rivers of Babylon." It is by such heroic deeds and glorious deliverances, as that of the fiery furnace that they were taught to eschew idolatry forever.

16. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego answered.

The king had erected. golden image, probably to represent his chief god in the plain of Dura, and had summoned the princes, governors, captains, judges, treasurers, sheriffs, counsellors and rulers to assemble at the dedication. Then. herald commanded all, at. given signal indicated by musical instruments, to fall down and worship the image under pain of being burned to death in the fiery furnace. All present fell down save certain Jewish officers, and immediately afterwards certain Chaldeans came and accused Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego to the king. It might be that these were personal enemies of the three Hebrews, or it might be that they sought for the king's favor in this way. At once the monarch was filled with rage. He was an Eastern despot, and to dispute his will was high treason. From all accounts Nebuchadnezzar was. man of consummate ability,. great general and ruler,. religious man in his way, but imperious, passionate and cruel to those who provoked his displeasure. At once the three disobedient men were sent for. The language of the king seems to imply that he thought there was some mistake; therefore he gave them. second opportunity. If, when the signal was given. second time by music, they did not fall to the earth, they should endure the penalty. To this threat the answer was given.

We are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

This means that they had no defense to offer. They could not obey and had made up their minds to suffer the consequences. Nor had they anxiety about the result, as they had committed all to God.