The Fiery Furnace

Daniel 3

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Introduction

• After Daniel's interpretation of the kings dream – Nebuchadnezzar is lifted up with pride

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•I. Brief overview of the chapter

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1. The image – 3:1-7

• [1] Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.

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• [5] That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:[6] And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

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• 90 feet by 9 feet• Most likely a totem pole like

structure• All were commanded to worship

the image when the signal was given

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2. The accusation – 3:8-12• [8] Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans

came near, and accused the Jews.• [12] There are certain Jews whom thou hast

set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

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3. The Trial – 3:13-18

• [13] Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king.

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• [17] If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.• [18] But if not, be it known unto thee, O

king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

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4. Death by fire – 3:19-23

• [19] Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.

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• [22] Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.[23] And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

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5. Miraculous preservation – 3:24-27

• [25] He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

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• [27] And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellers, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

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6. God praised and the Hebrews promoted – 3:28-30• [28] Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said,

Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

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• [29] Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.[30] Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, in the province of Babylon.

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•II. Lessons

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1. Idolatry is still a sin

• Col. 3:5• [5] Mortify therefore your members

which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

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2. Christians are sometimes falsely accused and misunderstood

• 2 Tim. 3:12• [12] Yea, and all that will live

godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

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3. We must obey God rather than men

• Acts 5:29• [29] Then Peter and the other

apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

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4. Man can destroy the body, but not the soul

• Mt. 10:28• [28] And fear not them which kill

the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell

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5. God’s providence works today

• Rom. 8:28• [28] And we know that all things

work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

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6. We should so live as to cause others to glorify God

• Mt. 5:16• [16] Let your light so shine before

men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

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Conclusion

• Phil. 4:13• [13] I can do all things through

Christ which strengtheneth me.

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Heb. 13:5-6

• [5] Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.[6] So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

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