4 Lessons from the Fiery Furnace in the Book of Daniel
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- Updated Oct 06, 2023
Daniel is an iconic character from the Old Testament. We know he was a young Jewish man of faith and wisdom who was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar. In Babylon, Daniel was trained to serve in the King’s court, but he stuck to his convictions and faith. The book from the Bible named after Daniel records a time when the Jews endured persecution, but God intervened in many miraculous ways.
In the well-known story if the fiery furnace from the book of Daniel, we see Daniel’s friends’ absolute trust in God on display. Daniel 3 explains that King Nebuchadnezzar had a large idol crafted out of gold. He commanded the people under his rule to worship the image. If they refused, they were condemned to be thrown into a fiery furnace. When the time came to worship the idol, devoted Jews refused.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were brought before the King and declared that they would not bow before his gods and would not worship them. The King’s threat of a fiery death did not phase these men.
Daniel 3:16 says, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
The King is furious and heats the fire to seven times hotter than usual. The men are tied up and thrown into the blaze. The soldiers that deliver them to this fate are killed by the flames. Miraculously, four men are spotted (one more than the original three) walking around in the blaze unbound. They were saved by God and he was with them as they walked through the fire that was created to destroy them. No part of their bodies or clothing were damaged! They didn’t even smell like smoke. What an amazing miracle God did that day!
What can we learn from the faith displayed in this story from the book of Daniel that led to a miracle that kept them from harm in the most perilous of circumstances? Their faith stood out in a generation that had known hardship and was living in exile.
1. We Can Trust God Whatever the Outcome
The most astounding thing about these men’s words is that they clarify, even if they die in the fire that the King made for them, they still stand firm on their commitment to worship the one true God! They stay firm in their conviction to worship God alone with no assurance that God will save him from this tragic fate. They each watch as they are bound, as the fire is stoked, and as the soldiers that carry them to the blazing fire perish. At no point on this journey do they forsake their God and Creator.
Consider Peter, who denies Christ three times before he dies. He walked with God and still wavered when things got scary. The faith of these three men exceeds that of Jesus’ own disciples.
To follow their example, we have to be committed to our God before we get the diagnosis, the pandemic hits, the anxiety traps us, or our spouse walks away. These men we know studied the Scriptures, fasted and prayed, and were deeply connected to God before this trying moment entered their lives.
In order to grow an “even if” kind of faith, we have to be invested in knowing the character of our God before the trial comes. At times, God delivers us from our suffering, and other times he walks with us right into the valley of the shadow of death. Both scenarios require us to know him in order to call on him to be there when we need him.
2. Stand Firm in the Belief That God Can
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego knew that God could! They made sure to tell Nebuchadnezzar that their God, the one true God, was able to deliver them while being harshly questioned. There was no hint of doubt in their words. Do you believe that you serve a God that is able? If he is worthy of our worship, he must be able to do more than we could ever think, ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
They remembered that God had delivered the Israelites out of Egypt, brought Joshua and Caleb into the Promised Land, built up David a man after his own heart, was faithful to Ruth a woman that was destitute and forgotten by others, set apart Samuel to become a priest that loved God, and on the stories go. They knew their God that the Scriptures speak of is alive and active in the world. He cares about injustice and is close to his people when they are in need. This surety is conveyed by their words of conviction and faith.
This is the same God we serve! He is still setting the captives free, healing his people, interceding on behalf of the least of these, and cares deeply about our lives. When life's trials come, remember we can “trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding because he will make our paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
3. Worship God Alone
These three men knew who their God was! There was no confusion about the nature of this idol that was raised up by the King. They could clearly see that evil was at work and stayed loyal to God. We need to be able to discern what is from God and what is of the world, and commit our hearts to worshiping God alone.
How many idols are being raised up in our culture that wants to distract us from worshiping our one true God? How many of us have let safety, politics, wealth, entertainment, inclusion, or any other man-created-idea distract you from your allegiance to the Father? These Jewish men were filled with wisdom and understood that this gold figure was being raised up in place of God. They did not waiver and were sure to express that nothing else in this world was worthy of worship.
4. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego Stayed Together
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were not alone in this grueling ordeal. They stood in front of the King as a group of friends that shared a strong conviction. They each remained faithful to the Lord together while being bound and thrown to their deaths. We need other like-minded friends to walk with us when we face trials of many kinds. When our faith waivers, we need friends who can stand in the gap for us.
These are people that are so committed to God that not even death will stop them from their worship. How many people do you know that are willing to die for you and Jesus? These are the kinds of Christians we want to – and maybe one day need to – become. We enjoy many freedoms in the USA, but Christianity is a faith that often faces persecution. When our world changes, it's not a crisis, it’s an opportunity to stand together for Jesus. Build your tribe wisely.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego lived during a turbulent time but still were able to worship God alone. Our ability to love our God with our hearts, minds, souls, and strength is not dependent on circumstances. It has everything to do with how committed we are to our Jesus. Let’s prepare to have a faith like we see in the book of Daniel so we are ready when our furnace moments come.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Adam Wilson
