Daniel 3
The King's Golden Image
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1Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, the height of which was sixty cubits and its width six cubits; he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.2Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent word to assemble the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates and all the rulers of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.3Then the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates and all the rulers of the provinces were assembled for the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.4Then the herald loudly proclaimed: "To you the command is given, O peoples, nations and men of every language,5that at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe and all kinds of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up.6"But whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire." 7Therefore at that time, when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. |
A. Nebuchadnezzar's Idolatrous Edict in Praise of Himself.
1. The idea of making an image in honor of self: "common practice of the Assyrian kings to erect images of themselves....as symbols of dominion"
a. God gave Nebuchadnezzar not only Jerusalem (1:2) but all his royal might and power (v.37,cf.5:18), indeed authority over all creation (v.38) based as it is on Jer. 27:5-7.
b. Daniel understood Nebuchadnezzar as YHWH's agent (1:1-2; 2:37-39).
2. Perhaps the fact that Daniel said he was the head of gold gave him the "big head." It seems to be that Nebbie tried to deify himself although this is not stated.
3. The image could have been plated gold as was the altar in the temple; cf. Isa. 40:19. Herodotus often speaks of the Babylonian use of gold in its temples of worship (1:183).
4. Herodotus said that statue of Marduk (Read about Marduk here) was of pure gold, weighing 800 talents or 52,800 lbs, or several trillion dollars at current exchange rates. "The workman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and casts for it silver chains."
5. 60 x 6 would be 90' by 9' if the mound upon which it was placed where high, this would be in proportion to a man. The Colossus of Rhodes was 70 ft high; the Babylonian Empire was the greatest of all history; why should it not have a large image?
6. Archaeologist Oppert declared that S.S. East of Hillah, about 12 miles, mounds called Tolul Dura, the Mounds of Dura; one called el-MOkhattat, was 45' square and 20' high, which appears to have formed the pedestal of a colossal image.
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Dura The circle, the plain near Babylon in which Nebuchadnezzar set up a golden image, mentioned in Daniel 3:1. The place still retains its ancient name. On one of its many mounds the pedestal of what must have been a colossal statue has been found. It has been supposed to be that of the golden image. Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary |
7. See annexed illustration of how the image might appear in the proportion of the image 90 feet on the 20 foot mound. (Image Here)
B. The assembly present at the inauguration or dedication on the image.
1. Satraps (Persian term: could have been written by Daniel during the Persian reign of Cyrus and he would have used terms understood by the Persians or Babylonians may been have influenced by the Persians as they were using these terms during this period (610-580 B.C.).
2. Prefects, governors, counselors, treasures, justices, magistrates and all of the officials of the provinces. Detailed and specific list of Babylonian officials shows the intricate and intimate knowledge of the author of this period of Babylonian history (not names of Greek officers).
C. The musical instruments that accompanied the worship: musical instruments of all kinds and from all nations. The instruments of other nations had been exported throughout Asia: objects of Greek origin were found in archaeological discoveries all over Asia, Palestine, and the East.
D. The edict of punishment to the disobedient: death by fire.
1. No uncommon among kings of those days:
Jeremiah 29:21-23__Ahab and Zedekiah: "whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire because they committed folly in Israel, they have committed adultery with their neighbors wives, and they have spoken in my name lying words which I did not command them."
2. Haevernick quotes the traveler Chardin (Voyage em Perwe, VI), who was in Persia 1671-77, and notes that two furnaces of fire were kept burning for a month for consuming those who overcharge for food.
E. The Temptation: Exodus 20:4-5__
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"You shall not make yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in the heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them and serve them." |
1st John 5:21__"Little Children, keep yourselves from idols."
Acts 15:19___"write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols and from un-chasity and from what is strangled and from blood."
1st Cor. 10:7___"Do not be idolaters as some of them were."
Gal. 5:20___"works of the flesh...idolatry, sorcery..."
1st Cor. 5:11___"not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of immorality or greed or is an idolater..."
Eph. 5:5..."Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure man, or one who is covetous, that is, an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for it is because of these things that the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not associate with them......."
F. The Accusation against Sahdrach, Meshach and Abednego
Dan. 3: 8-12
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8For this reason at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought charges against the Jews.9They responded and said to Nebuchadnezzar the king: "O king, live forever!10"You, O king, have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe and all kinds of music, is to fall down and worship the golden image.11"But whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire.12"There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon, namely Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. These men, O king, have disregarded you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up." |
1. Chaldeans made the accusation maliciously, with evil intent, toward the Jews, probably because of jealousy as was the case later in the Persian ear in Daniel's case. (Dan.6)___ These Jews were appointed by you but have not obeyed you."
2. Why was Daniel not accused?
a. Perhaps he was not present. He may have been left back at the Capital, Babylon, to direct the King's business while he was away. See 2:49
b. Perhaps he was present, but sat with the king as they watched the others do homage.
c. Perhaps his location was not observed by others: 4 spies, one escapes unnoticed.
d. Perhaps those who saw him were fearful to accuse him; it is doubtful that he would be in the company of the three at this event since he held a higher position of authority than they.
3. The very fact that Daniel was not present is proof that they story is not fictitious. Since the whole book is practically about Daniel, a fictitious writer would have included Daniel in the story. But since historically that didn't happen, Daniel had to report the facts.
G. Nebuchadnezzar confronts three faithful men of God, and defies the God of Israel. Daniel 3:13-23
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13Then Nebuchadnezzar in rage and anger gave orders to bring Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego; then these men were brought before the king. 14Nebuchadnezzar responded and said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up?15"Now if you are ready, at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery and bagpipe and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, very well But if you do not worship, you will immediately be,cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?" |
1. Nebuchadnezzar defies God. Dan. 3:13-15
Others who have defied God: Sennacherib, Isa. 36:18--"Beware lest Hezekiah mislead you saying, 'The Lord will deliver us." Has any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?20
2. Is God superior to Iz-bar, a subordinate god of Babylon? Fire was the most powerful element in the universe according to ancient philosophy. Isa. 43:2, 5,10-11; Psa. 116:15; Acts 7:55; Heb. 11:33; Matt.10:28.
H. The courageous faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Dan. 3:16-18; Matt. 10:28; Matt.10:34; Isa.43:1-2
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16Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter.17"If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.18"But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." |
1. Standing firm on the promises of God
2. Refusing to be intimidated by Satan.
I. The Punishment Rendered by the King. Daniel 3:19-23
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19Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath, and his facial expression was altered toward Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. He answered by giving orders to heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.20He commanded certain valiant warriors who were in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego in order to cast them into the furnace of blazing fire.21Then these men were tied up in their trousers, their coats, their caps and their other clothes, and were cast into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire.22For this reason, because the king's command was urgent and the furnace had been made extremely hot, the flame of the fire slew those men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego.23But these three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, fell into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire still tied up |
1. The Anger of the King
2. Furnace was not normal, but heated 7 times hotter.
3. Strong men of his army bound the three and cast them into the furnace.
4. Strong men are killed out side the furnace.
J. The Miraculous deliverance by God___Daniel 3:24-27
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24Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he said to his high officials, "Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?" They replied to the king, "Certainly, O king."25He said, "Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!" 26Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he responded and said, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and come here!" Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego came out of the midst of the fire. 27The satraps, the prefects, the governors and the king's high officials gathered around and saw in regard to these men that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men nor was the hair of their head singed, nor were their trousers damaged, nor had the smell of fire even come upon them. |
1. God's love for His people is shown. Psa. 116; Acts 7:55
2. God's protection of His people. Isa.43:1-2
3. God's deliverance of His people, the fourth person, a savior. Psa. 34:7; a divine person. Gen. 18:2, 22,33; and more. Appeared to Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, and others as a divine being.
This story foreshadows Christ in that Jesus was to rescue His people from the fires of hell.
4. It shows God's power of others gods. Iz-bar, god of fire could not punish the people of YHWH.
5. Look at who witnessed the miracle: undeniable testimony.
a. Satraps, prefects, governors, and king's counselors saw.
b. Fire has no power over their bodies (nor will it us at judgment)
c. Hair not singed
d. Mantel not injured.
e. No smell of smoke on them.
f. Ropes had burned: they walked free in the furnace.
K. The Effect on Nebuchadnezzar: Dan. 3:28-30
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28Nebuchadnezzar responded and said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king's command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God.29"Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation or tongue that speaks anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego shall be torn limb from limb and their houses reduced to a rubbish heap, inasmuch as there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way."30Then the king caused Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego to prosper in the province of Babylon. |
1. Praise of the men's faith in God.
2. Praise of the God who saved them.
3. Promotion of the 3 men.
Closing Remarks:
It should not be overlooked that we are observing a motif of the state being powerless over the Jews. Nebuchadnezzar's statue stands for political and economic power. It does a great deal of damage to the book of Daniel if we weaken this story to "just" a case of idol worship, when absolute defiance of the state is a better description. The Babylonian system was apparently not so much different from many modern systems in that it derived its power from the suffering of others.
Christian faith involves the refusal to bow before the golden statue of Nebuchadnezzar. This becomes harder to recognize and defeat in our times when modernity can build an idol of power and put the name of Jesus on it. (e.g. a U.S. nuclear submarine capable of dozens of Hiroshimas was named Corpus Christi, "the body of Christ.") Christian symbols have become a favorite name for those who would do violence.
Sovereignty is a central issue in the book of Daniel. In 3:27, once again the king gathers many of his officers who share at his astonishment that the fire has no sovereignty over the three men. The king's punishment failed. Not even the fire, let alone the king, can rule over them. Traditional Christian thought suggest a resurrection motif here. Such observations do have a ring of truth if we look at the resurrection of Jesus as a reversal of the powers of the state. Like the powerlessness of Nebuchadnezzar, Rome also lacked the power of life and death over Jesus. ___________by Lane Rogers