Three friends go all out
Series: Holy – Holy – Holy | Bible text: Daniel 3; Matthew 10:32; 1 Peter 1:5–7
Through the story of three Old Testament friends, we want to immerse ourselves in what it means to follow a holy God. The three friends live in a foreign country and adapt as much as possible. They integrate well, but a conflict is inevitable at the latest when they have to decide between their faith and the demands of their king. They are even prepared to lay down their lives for this. Followers of Jesus Christ are also strangers in this world. They live here, integrate themselves and try to win people for Jesus. But here, too, conflicts are inevitable. How do followers decide? Do they confess God?
In a foreign country
The incident of these three takes place at a significant moment in Israel’s history. It takes place just after the fall of the kingdom of Judah. The Babylonians defeat the Israelites and lead the upper classes into exile. The Babylonian empire was a multi-ethnic state. It was common practice to bring the upper classes of the defeated people to the palace and have them work for them. This was also the case with Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. Since they belonged to the upper class, they were chosen and led away. The rest of the people remained in the land.
So these four friends are now in a new land. They are chosen and arrive at the palace of King Nebuchadnezzar. There they are given new names: Belchazar, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego. Having arrived in the new land, they also have to reorientate themselves and find their way around. They are taught the language and the scriptures of Babylon. They receive special treatment and are even allowed to eat from what the king receives. But this is a problem. For in ancient times, animals were usually slaughtered in a religious process and were therefore ritually burdened. «Daniel resolved in his heart not to touch any food or wine from the king’s table. He wanted to abide by the dietary laws of his God. He asked Ashpenaz for permission not to eat the cultically unclean food. […]» (Daniel 1:8–12 NLB). The four learn and give themselves fully. They integrate as best they can, but without going against their own convictions and beliefs. After some time, Daniel is given an important position in the king’s court and «At Daniel’s request, he declared Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as administrators of the province of Babylon; but Daniel himself remained in the king’s court.» (Daniel 2:49 NLB).
From now on, the story of Daniel and his three friends will continue on its own, but we will limit ourselves to the three. These three followed a holy God and therefore they differed in certain aspects from the other people around them. They were in the system, but nevertheless also outside of it.
The relationship of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to their environment is the same for followers of Jesus Christ. They also live in a foreign land. For although they are in this world, they are not of this world. They do run along, get involved and practise their professions. They want the best for society and invest a lot for it. At first glance, followers of Jesus Christ are no different from others. But in some respects it is noticeable that they live their lives in contrast to others. Just as was the case with the three friends.
Conflict is inevitable
For some time, these three friends gave themselves fully and did a good job. They were well integrated and helped the Babylonian empire prosper and function. At that time there were many different gods. So it was nothing unusual that King Nebuchadnezzar had a golden statue built. He was so convinced of his new statue that he called all the officials together to worship it. However, it is unclear whether it was an image of himself or of another deity. By carrying out this order, his officials take an oath of allegiance to him. The Babylonian empire united many different languages, nations and peoples. This included the worship of one god. The three friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego are also invited. To unite the people before him, the king issues clear instructions. «All who had been invited gathered to take part in the dedication of the statue Nebuchadnezzar had had made. As they all stood before the statue erected by Nebuchadnezzar, a herald announced in a powerful voice: «You peoples, nations and tongues, hear the king’s command! When you hear the sound of horn, panpipe, zither, lyre, harp, bagpipe or any other musical instrument, you must throw yourselves to the ground and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had made» (Daniel 3:5–6 NLB). No matter how well integrated the three were. No matter how well they did their work – here they faced a moral dilemma. For the God they followed issued an unmistakable commandment. «You shall have no other gods besides Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol of anything that is in heaven, or on the earth, or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or prostrate yourself before them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God! […]» (Exodus 20:3–5 NLB). What are they to do? To whom should they be loyal? Their king or their God?
The musicians start to play. The tension rises. What will they choose? Do they choose their God or their life? We don’t like stories like that. It’s far too absolute! God is not so strict after all! But what if it is so absolute? What if God is so strict? The three friends decide on the option that has far-reaching consequences for them and their lives – they do not bow. A few observant contemporaries report them to the king. The king is full of anger and rage against these three. How dare they defy his command. He gives them a second chance. When the music sounds again, they are to prostrate themselves, otherwise they will be thrown into the furnace of fire. The otherness of the three friends caused them to stand out. When they are again ordered to kneel before the statue, they reply. «[…] O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not want to justify ourselves before you. If the God we worship wills it, he can certainly save us. Both from the burning fiery furnace and from your hand, O king, he will then save us. But even if he has decided otherwise, you, O king, shall know it for certain: We will never worship your gods and we will never worship the golden statue that you have set up.» (Daniel 3:16–18 NLB).
By this steadfastness they stand against the king. For it is in the worship of the king’s God that faithfulness is shown. In the understanding of that time, a strong people automatically had a strong god. But there could well be other gods who were worshipped. Polytheism was not a problem for the Babylonians. The problem, however, was the monotheism of the Jews. They can and want to worship only one God. Therefore, they threw the second chance to the wind and decided for God – and against their lives.
This incident also has much to say to followers of Jesus Christ. For there is no way to avoid a confrontation. Following Jesus inevitably leads to tensions with the environment. But there are «good» and «bad» conflicts. In the «good» ones, the aggressor is the other. I do not provoke, but someone wants to provoke me. Like the ones who snitched on the three of them. A «bad» altercation is when I provoke. When I hold against everyone what they have not done well. But people who have Jesus in the first place should rather live like that. «Do your part to live in peace with others as much as possible!» (Romans 12:18 NLB). Unfortunately, Christians around the world are often known for what they are against rather than what they are for. If you had to describe your faith with everything you are for instead of what you are against, how much could you say? I have a dream. Namely, followers of Jesus Christ are known for what they are for and not what they are against. But this does not exclude being faithful to God, even if everyone else around me is doing something else.
The three go all out
After the three invoked their God, the king’s reaction was not long in coming. «Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into such a rage against Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego that his face contorted with anger. He immediately gave the order to heat the furnace seven times hotter than usual» (Daniel 3:19 NLB). His anger even spilled over onto his face. He could not tolerate this insolence. This is also shown precisely by the fact that he had the oven heated seven times hotter. This is actually a joke – because this fire was deadly either way. But it shows his anger quite clearly. So he has the friends tied up and thrown into the fire together with their clothes by a few of the strongest men. But these are killed by the flames. This shows the incredible heat. Even people outside the oven died. So the three are thrown into the fire. And now we come to a point in this story where it becomes abstruse. It is the moment when the question is put to us whether we believe this. I can also find this story fascinating if what is about to happen is not true. But if it is true, then God’s power becomes clearly visible. Therefore, holding the historicity of this story to be true is significant. For the three survive in the fire – only the ropes burn. They even walk around in the furnace.
«Suddenly Nebuchadnezzar jumped up, startled, and asked his counsellors: «Didn’t we just have three men bound and thrown into the fire?» – «Yes, of course, O king,» they replied. «But look!» cried Nebuchadnezzar. «There I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire. And they are completely unharmed! And the fourth looks like a divine being!» Thereupon Nebuchadnezzar stepped to the opening of the burning furnace and called in: «Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, you servants of the Most High God, step out of the furnace and come to me!» Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego came out of the fire.» (Daniel 3:24–26 NLB). The king, who shortly before wanted to kill these three, cannot help but join in the praise of God. «Then Nebuchadnezzar cried out: «Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego! For he sent his angel and has saved his servants who rely on him. They did not obey the king’s command – indeed, they would rather die than worship or adore any god but their God».» (Daniel 3:28 NLB).
Nebuchadnezzar is so overwhelmed that he issues a decree that not even a bad word may be said about this god. Otherwise this person will be cut to pieces and his house flattened. He provides the justification for this himself. «[…] For there is no God who could save like this!» (Daniel 3:29 NLB). You must let this statement roll off your tongue. The king cannot but acknowledge that this God is very special.
The God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego saves from an earthly fire – but rather, the same God also saves you and me. He saves us from bad habits, from feelings of inferiority and from our lives, all of which are often more complicated than we would like to admit to others or to ourselves.
Followers of Jesus Christ today sometimes find themselves in similarly tense situations. Often we are given two, three or more chances to do what we think is right. But even in such moments, our commitment to Jesus Christ is decisive. Therein also lies a promise. «Whoever publicly confesses me here on earth, I will also confess him before my Father in heaven.» (Matthew 10:32 NLB). The three friends experienced what the apostle Peter promises in his letter to all followers of Jesus Christ. «And in his great power he will protect you through faith until you receive eternal life. It will be revealed for all to see at the end of time. Rejoice therefore with all your heart! There is great joy ahead of you, even if you have to endure much for a while. This is only to test your faith to see if it is truly strong and pure. It is tested as gold is tested and refined in the fire – and your faith is much more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after it has been tested through great difficulties, it will bring you much praise and glory and honour on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.» (1 Peter 1:5–7 NLB) The three friends knew that it was worth taking on everything to follow this holy God. Holy means set apart. If their God were a God like any other, they would probably not lay down their lives for Him without a fight.
What do you take away for yourself today? I’ll ask you three questions. But it is enough if you take one with you and answer it honestly for yourself. 1. what are you for? 2. how far can your faith take you? 3. how do you confess Jesus Christ?
Possible questions for the small group
Read Bible text: Daniel 3
- Here again are the three key questions that were already mentioned at the end of the sermon. 1. what are you for? 2. how far may your faith take you? 3. how do you confess Jesus Christ?
- How do you experience your life as a follower of Jesus Christ? Where do you feel strange?
- What conflicts do you experience because of your faith? What do they look like?
- Where are you standing firm for God and making it clear that you are following a holy God?
