Deliverance from The Fiery Furnace

Daniel 3

The King Built a Gold Statue

• 90 feet tall and 9 feet wide.• Set up on plain of Dura in province of

Babylon.• He sent messengers to all leaders in the land

to come – princes, prefects, governors, advisers, counselors, judges, magistrates, and all provincial officials – come dedicate the statue.

Bow to image

• When any musical instrument is heard, bow before the image, in worship.

• Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.

• All bowed except Jews who refused to bow down.

• Astrologers informed king about Jews.

• This statue was 6 miles south of Ancient Babylon, another “golden” statue recently fell in downtown Baghdad

• That statue was of a man who set himself up as a supreme leader and told people he was the reincarnate Nebuchadnezzar, and rebuilding ancient Babylon

Shadrach, Meshach and AbedNego

• Men you put in charge of the province of Babylon defied your Majesty by refusing to serve your gods or worship your statue.

• Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage.

• 3 Hebrews brought to the king.

• “Is it true, you refused to bow?”

• I’ll give you one more chance!

Don’t bother

• We don’t need to defend ourselves.

• If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us.

• He will rescue us from your power.

• But even if He doesn’t we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue.

Nebuchadnezzar was furious

• Face became distorted in rage.

• “Heat the furnace 7 times hotter.

• Bind them and throw them in.

• Fire killed the soldiers as they threw the three Hebrews in.

• They fell, tied, fully clothed into the furnace.

“I see 4 men.”• Three men were thrown in.• But “Look” I see four men,

unbound, walking around in the fire. They aren’t hurt by the flames and the 4th looks like a divine being.

• King came close and shouts for them to come out of the fire.

• They stepped out, unharmed, no smell of smoke.

PRAISE GOD

• King said, “Praise the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

• He sent His angel to rescue His servants who trusted Him.

• They defied the king and were willing to die rather than worship the king’s image.

• If anyone speaks against their God they will be torn limb from limb.

• He promoted 3 Hebrews to higher positions and gave them honor.