Daniels’s Friends Disobey The King
March 29, 2020
Commentary
Some Babylonians used this as a chance to accuse the Jews to King Nebuchadnezzar (v. 8). They said, “ Your Majesty, we hope you live forever (v. 9)! When the three Hebrew youths refused to bow, the Chaldeans, the very people whose lives had been spared because of the prayer meeting of Daniel and these three youths, ran and told the King (vv. 10-12). Probably these men were jealous of Daniel and his friends because of their elevation to a high office that perhaps they had hoped to secure for themselves. Sad to say this sometimes is found all to often today, even among Christians. Are you ready to take a stand for God? If so be ready. It may not always have a happy ending.
The king became very angry as he could not understand how anyone could disobey his commands so he called for the three Hebrew leaders to be brought to him (v. 13). These three men were given one more chance to bow down before the golden image as the music is played (vv. 14-15). Howevever for them to bow down and worship the image would violate God’s command in Exodus 20:3 “You shall have not other gods before Me.” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were pressured to deny God, but they chose to be faithful to Him no matter what happened! They trusted God to deliver them, but they were determined to be faithful regardless of the consequences (vv. 16-18). We should be faithful to serve God whether He intervenes on our behalf or not. Our eternal reward is worth any suffering we may have to endure.
Application
I must never allow myself to become jealous of someone who receives recognition and things that I would like to have. It would be so easy for Satan to gain victory in my life in this way.
Daniel 3:8– 18 (NET)
8 Now at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought malicious accusations against the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! 10 You have issued an edict, O king, that everyone must bow down and pay homage to the golden statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, trigon, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music. 11 And whoever does not bow down and pay homage must be thrown into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire. 12 But there are Jewish men whom you appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—and these men have not shown proper respect to you, O king. They don’t serve your gods and they don’t pay homage to the golden statue that you have erected.”
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in a fit of rage demanded that they bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego before him. So they brought them before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you don’t serve my gods and that you don’t pay homage to the golden statue that I erected? 15 Now if you are ready, when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, trigon, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must bow down and pay homage to the statue that I had made. If you don’t pay homage to it, you will immediately be thrown into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire. Now, who is that god who can rescue you from my power?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to King Nebuchadnezzar, “We do not need to give you a reply concerning this. 17 If our God whom we are serving exists, he is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he will rescue us, O king, from your power as well. 18 But if he does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we don’t serve your gods, and we will not pay homage to the golden statue that you have erected.”
Illustration: Two Shop Keepers Who Were Bitter Rivals
Two shopkeepers were bitter rivals. Their stores were directly across the street from each other, and they would spend each day keeping track of each other’s business. If one got a customer, he would smile in triumph at his rival. One night an angel appeared to one of the shopkeepers in a dream and said, “I will give you anything you ask, but whatever you receive, your competitor will receive twice as much. Would you be rich? You can be very rich, but he will be twice as wealthy. Do you wish to live a long and healthy life? You can, but his life will be longer and healthier. What is your desire?” The man frowned, thought for a moment, and then said, “Here is my request: Strike me blind in one eye!” One sign of jealousy is when it’s easier to show sympathy and “weep with those who weep” than it is to exhibit joy and “rejoice with those who rejoice.” (Robert De Moor – Source Unknown).