The Threat of a Burning Fiery Furnace - Daniel 3:15

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how, “certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews”, and they said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded you: they serve not your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not you serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?”, and in chapter three and verse fifteen of his book Daniel shared how King Nebuchadnezzar said, “if you worship not, you shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace”, where we read,

Now if you be ready that at what time you hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, you fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if you worship not, you shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

The verse reads, “Now if you be ready that at what time you hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, you fall down and worship the image which I have made;” Daniel began with the words, “now if you be ready” or “at this time whether and in case that you, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, exist as prepared” “that at what time” which means “that within the moment” “you hear the sound” or “you, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, perceive, discern and distinguish the noise” “of the cornet” which means “belonging to the horn”, “flute”or “the musical pipe named from it's whistling sound”, “harp” which refers to “a musical instrument like a lyre or zither”,“sackbut” which refers to “a triangular musical instrument with four strings which was also known as a trigon and was similar to a lyre”, “psaltery” or “a stringed triangular instrument like a lyre or harp”, “and dulcimer” which means “and a musical wind instrument such as a double pipe, panpipe or bagpipe”, “and all kinds of music” or “and every types of instrumental music”, “you fall down” which means “you, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, bow and prostrate yourselves” “and worship the image” or “and give homage and deference to the idolatrous figure made of gold” “which I have made” which means “that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have fashioned, formed, created and executed”; “well” or “good”. Daniel shared how King Nebuchadnezzar told “ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” that if at the moment they perceived the instrumental music playing they would prostrate themselves and pay homage to the idolatrous figure made of gold it would be a good thing. 

The verse goes on to say, “but if you worship not, you shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” Daniel continued with the words, “but if you worship not” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover whether and in case you, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not pay homage and adoration to the golden idol”, “you shall be cast the same hour” which means “you, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, will be thrown at that very moment” “into the midst of a burning fiery furnace” or “into the middle of a hot, ardent, fervent and painful fire-place”; “and who is that God” which means “and what person is the Supreme Deity” “that shall deliver you out” or “who will rescue and save you, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, from out” “of my hands” which means “of my, King Nebuchadnezzar's, physical hand, power, authority and might”. Daniel shared how King Nebuchadnezzar told “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” he would give them another opportunity to bow down and give homage to the idolatrous figure of gold he constructed, and if they did not comply, he would have them thrown into the hot and ardent fire-place. He further asked them what “God” had the ability to rescue and save them from his power and authority.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover through Daniel how King Nebuchadnezzar told “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” that when they perceived the instrumental music playing if they prostrated themselves and did homage to his idolatrous figure made of gold, everything would be fine. However, should they continue to resist, He would instantly throw them into a hot and ardent fire-place, and he wondered what “deity” would rescue them from his power. God wants us to know there is no one who is more powerful than He, and because He loves us, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days. When we surrender to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us understanding through His Holy Spirit that He is more powerful than any man, nation or people group in the world. 

Next time Daniel shares how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered Nebuchadnezzar, “we are not careful to answer you in this matter”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".