CHAPTER FOUR:
THE FOURTH MAN IN THE FIRE
TEXT:
Daniel Chapter Three
We
must retain several facts of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. While
blessed by the God of heaven with wisdom and favor (see chapter one) and
rewarded by Nebuchadnezzar to places of prominence in his kingdom, they are
still JEWS – CHILDREN OF GOD BY THEIR VERY NATIONALITY! More, they are
determined to uphold God’s Law in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation
(compare Philippians 2:14 – 16). Third, though captives in
This chapter is not specifically about Daniel – yet, because
it is contained within his writings, we accept this as genuinely as if it were
Daniel! These three friends of Daniel are as exemplary in their conduct as we
find Daniel. Therefore, we should easily find the fruit of the Spirit in their
actions as we find that fruit within Daniel.
We must understand king
Nebuchadnezzar was not a “rebel
against God” in the usual sense. He is a “heathen king” only because he is not
of Hebrew blood. His desire for self-esteem is not an uncommon element among
such national figures: no, not even among the
Israelites (ex. The tribe of Korah.)
Thus, we should not see his image of gold as defiance toward Jehovah, but
instead an elevation of his own self-gratification. He simply felt his rise to
such world power was of his own doing or at best a
gift from his idol gods.
The statue was nearly 90 feet high
by nine feet wide. Some speculate it was elevated even more upon a high
pedestal, but this is not proven in scripture. It was
set in the plain of Dura, which plain evidently was near the capital of this
empire. With the king’s word being “law” in
We must understand again that this
image was not designed as an affront to Jehovah. As
noted within verse eight, certain Chaldeans came to bring accusations against
the Jews. We will see within this chapter the concern for the king in bringing
upon Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah the decreed punishment. Within this very fact, do
we see the effectiveness of the fruit of the Spirit? Is the conduct of these
three plus Daniel having that “fruitful” effect upon the king?
The herald (town
crier) announced the decree of the king: “To you it is commanded, O people,
nations and languages, that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet,
flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down
and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: and
whoso falleth not down and worshippeth
shall the same hour be cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.”
Remember it was not the king’s
intention to defy Jehovah, but rather praise his own gods as well as himself by this
decree: it obviously forces one to recognize “who is in charge!” The very fact
that “nations and languages” (2:47) is plural in this decree shows the king
demanded ALL (both citizens and captives) to recognize his authority and power.
Though obviously from the interpretation of his dream (chapter two)
Nebuchadnezzar recognized “Of a truth it is that your God is a God of gods, and
a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets,” Nebuchadnezzar did not accept God
as his God and continued ordering all
his subjects to pay him homage.
It is from this perspective certain
of the Chaldean brought accusations against Hanaiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The intent
of these Chaldeans was upheaval of the positions these men and Daniel had
gained (2:48 – 49.) They remind the king of his decree, stressing the point
that every man that failed to fall
down and worship should be cast into the fiery
furnace. They then announced by name these certain Jews as being guilty of this
failure. They further state, “They have not regarded thee: they serve not thy
gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” Of this charge, two
thirds is correct: they did not serve the king’s gods and they did not worship
the golden image. But the charge of their not
regarding the king is false! They did regard him, in that they stood before him
as his officials in the various provinces. They recognized they were his
captives and they accepted this fate. Their objection was toward the worship of
a false god.
Some have suggested that such refusal
as Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah expressed in worshipping the golden image would not
have bothered the king at all, had it not been for the charge, “they do not
regard thee.” This does not seem the case when we read verse 13: “Then
Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego.” Notice as well verse 14: “Do you not serve my gods, nor worship the
golden image which I have set up?” Verse 15 shows conclusively the king’s
fervent desire that his god be worshipped: “If ye be
ready … ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye
worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the mist of a burning fiery
furnace.” Nebuchadnezzar was most intent that all the subjects in his kingdom
worship as he commanded! Again, it is not an affront to Jehovah, for he doesn’t know God; nor does he at this time care to know God.
It is his conviction there is no God that can save these men from death. This
fact we see in his statement, “And who is that God that shall deliver you out
of my hands?” Nebuchadnezzar clearly believes he is king and god!
In response to his ultimatum, these
faithful Jews are not apologetic (“careful” – KJV) in their answer. “If it be
so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace,
and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O King. But
if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will
not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” (vs. 17 – 18) Their statement is one of absolute faith! They KNEW God
was able to deliver them; yet, they would not presume to “demand” God do so …
“His will be done” is their statement (compare James 4:13 – 17). Their stand is
one of faithfulness to God: under no circumstances would they defy Jehovah in
order to worship this false god!
Their answer further infuriated the
king! He was obviously angry (“the form of his visage was changed” – KJV) and
commanded the heat of the furnace should increase seven times hotter! The most mighty of his kingdom were ordered to bind Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego and cast them into the fiery furnace. Bound in their
clothes, these faithful ones were cast into the fire.
Take note they did not resist this sentence! They were willing to die in the
cause of God – die faithfully in His service. At this point, re-examine
Galatians 5:22 – 26 and the nine elements of the fruit of the Spirit. Do you
find them in this action? If so, detail your observations in the proper spaces
following this lesson.
We must note the fire/heat was so
hot that it killed the men who threw our friends into the fire. This alone
should intrigue the king and those beholding this fate. Why were
not Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah not slain? We know it was God protecting
them. Did anyone else notice at this point? Apparently, the king noticed, for
he rose up and observed the midst of the furnace. He must have been at a
distance for he did not die; the heat did not cause him to perish. Note he was
astonished. First, the fact his servants died in the action of throwing these
Jews into the furnace, but these Jews did not die – they did not even utter a
cry of pain! Now, in viewing the midst of the furnace, he sees four men walking
in the midst of the fire. Examine verse 25: “He answered and said, ‘Lo, I see four
men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the
form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
This also astonished him. Exactly who is this forth man? For us, HOW DID
HE KNOW HIS LIKENESS WAS LIKE THE SON OF GOD?
Young’s Literal Translation
Bible renders verse 25 this way: “He answered and hath said, `Lo, I am seeing
four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and
the appearance of the fourth is like to a son of the gods.’” This seems
the most plausible translation for the king certainly had no knowledge, nor
concern for Jehovah, and therefore would have no understanding of His Son.
While we know and understand this
fourth being, it is only because of our faith and knowledge. What we then note
is Nebuchadnezzar was astonished by something he could
not explain! The very fact he saw ALL FOUR walking in the midst of the fire,
showed they were unharmed, thus very much alive. How could this be? Second, the
very fact three were cast into the fire and now four are seen shows they are protected. By whom or by what?
Third, in that Nebuchadnezzar admits this form is “like a god” shows an
amazement he had not heretofore experienced. NONE OF HIS GODS EVER PERFORMED
SUCH A FEAT FOR HIM, SO HOW COULD THEY OR WOULD THEY FOR SLAVES? He would soon
learn!
Evidently
the heat of the fire decreased enough, for the king comes near the furnace and
speaks to those within – ANOTHER PROOF OF THEIR UNHARMED CONDITION! Now notice
the king’s admission: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth and come hither.”
Their profession of serving Jehovah is what prompts the kings
accolade. He is convinced these men serve a Supreme God. Though it is doubtful
Nebuchadnezzar immediately surrendered his service to pagan gods (see chapter
four) it is evident he is convinced he is not the greatest of the world: an ego he held to this time with the
elevation of his golden image and demands for its worship.
When exited from the furnace, these
Jews had not hurt, no, not even the smell of smoke on their clothes. The king
determines rightly, “Blessed be the God … who hath sent His angel and delivered
His servants that trusted in Him, and hath changed the king’s word, and yielded
their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship
any god, except their own God.” No less than three important factors come from
the king’s words:
1.
God sent a
messenger to the protection of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azaraiah.
2.
These men
trusted in God and their trust convinces heathen souls of a Supreme Power.
3.
The worship of
any god is the worship of a lesser God than Jehovah!
If
heathens can be so convinced by faithful actions,
cannot others be so convinced? Examine Galatians 5:22 – 26 and examine the
parts of the fruit of the Spirit within yourself!
Nebuchadnezzar, noting the “God hath
changed the word of the king” made a decree. This decree is quite indicative of
the lesson he just witnessed. Note it is decreed to
the same subjects as the first, thus making it a complete reversal of his
original statement. “That every people, nation [note the singular instead of
the plural as in the first decree], and language [singular] which speak
anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut
in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other
God that can deliver after this sort.” We take note of these facts:
1.
The “people,
nation, and language” obviously refer to Chaldean. The Jews would already
acknowledge this fact, so now, the Chaldeans are made
subject to God by their own decree!
2.
None are permitted to speak against God because His power is
without controversy.
3.
The very
statement of the king, “there is no other God that can deliver after this sort”
will come to bear much heavier in Nebuchadnezzar’s life. Even so must it bear
in the lives of all that acknowledge God’s power and fail to obey it! (James
4:17)