Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” Daniel 3:14-15
Three leaders of the province of Babylon, the very place where King Nebuchadnezzar lives, stand in front of him accused of a serous crime – disloyalty and treason – to the king and the nation. Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them The king interrogates the men.
Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego The word true means purpose. “Was it your purpose?”, the king asks in amazement. Is it truly their intent – to defy him? He cannot believe these men, they have been so faithful in the past, would defy him. He may have expected it from others but not these three. This is an example to believers of the type of workers we are to be, even if we work for unbelieving leaders.
That you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? The king accurately describes the issue. It is not obeying the king that is the problem. It is his demand they serve and worship the golden image, something a believer can or should never do.
Now if you are ready The king make the assumption they will come to their senses. Surely the fear of punishment for their crime will cause them to comply. (For many it does to their shame.)
At the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music The same “trigger” will be used. Hear the music, join the crowd. Get on your knees in front of the world’s false gods. (Satan is licking his lips in delight. No one can dare to defy him.)
You fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! The king holds out the olive leaf. Pay homage, bow down, worship the image and all is forgiven. Nothing will be held against them, they can continue in the places of leadership the king has given. Nebuchadnezzar’s entire carrot and stick approach is based on his belief that he is in total control. Isn’t it interesting he offers them the
world’s forgiveness for disobeying his command? The world’s forgiveness or obey God? Choose one.
But if you do not worship Here is the other half, the stick of the kings ultimatum. If they do not obey the king’s command they will suffer the consequences. They will be harmed and no one can help them.
You shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. The penalty for disobedience is once again clarified. They face a gruesome death. Satan knows he and all unbelievers will face burning torment for all eternity. Here he uses burning torment to terrify believers into disobeying God.
And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands? Nebuchadnezzar throws in a taunt at God. We see Satan’s hand in his words. The king believes in no one but himself. He does not believe anyone can or will defy his might, his power, his wrath. Therefore he mocks the God of heaven as powerless before him. In his mind these three men are as good as dead if they do not comply.
What can we learn? One of Satan’s strategies in persecuting believers is to appeal to their senses after they make their decision to stand for God. He delights in giving second chances– act rational, call one to his senses, focus him on what he is about to lose and then give a chance to recant. Surely when facing the terror of what the world can do, believers will back down and deny their God. No imaginary god is worth dying for. So Nebuchadnezzar lays down the same command God does. “You shall have no other gods than me.” We can only worship one. Now it is up to the young men to determine
who they will listen to and obey – it cannot be both God and man. Faith or sight. Which one do they choose? We face the same decision every day.