The
statue was likely not 90’ from toes to head but was standing on a large pedestal
and was 90’ from the ground to the top. Still an impressive height. Think of
something like the Statue of Liberty (305’ from the base).Daniel
Prophecies from the Lions’ Den
Lesson 3: Into the Mouth of the Fire
Daniel 3 & 6
3:1-7 Dedication Day
What might be the inspiration for this statue? (See 2:31)
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a statue in chapter 2 may have led him to make such a statue. Either that or in his own arrogance and pride he made the statue to display and consolidate his power.
The
statue was likely not 90’ from toes to head but was standing on a large pedestal
and was 90’ from the ground to the top. Still an impressive height. Think of
something like the Statue of Liberty (305’ from the base).
At what point did this dedication ceremony turn from something in which a believer could participate into something in which a believer must refuse to participate?
Dedicating a statue would not be denying the Lord. Worshiping the statue or the false god or the king it represents is denying the Lord.
Mark the following events/ceremonies as “good,” “bad” or “depends” for a Christian to participate in.
· Saying the Pledge of Allegiance in school
· Singing the National Anthem at a baseball game
· Praying with people at a political rally
· Attending the dedication of a new hotel in town
· Attending the dedication of a Mormon or Jewish temple
· Saying the Scout Oath with your Boy Scout troupe
· Praying next to the imam in a mosque
· Other events/ceremonies?
Some of these events are fine for Christians. Saying the Pledge does not deny the Lord. Some events clearly deny the truth that the Lord is the only God such as praying with a non-Christian. Ask yourself this question—Will my participation show that the Triune God is the only true God and that I hold to all of his Word or will my participation show that any god is fine and God’s Word is not that important?
3:8-18 The Ultimatum
What made the astrologers so mad at the Jews?
They did not go along with the rest of the people. The astrologers and the king thought they were being disloyal to the king and kingdom. The Christians got into similar trouble with the Romans for refusing to participate in emperor worship.
What is Nebuchadnezzar’s problem if he allows Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to not worship the statue?
The king will look weak if his royal officials will not do what he says. He risks rebellion from others if he does not squash this small protest.
Where does Nebuchadnezzar’s arrogance show up? (v. 15)
The king thought he was more powerful than any god.
How does Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s response show their faith?
They trusted that God had the power to save them from any human or any disaster like fire. They also trusted that God would do what was best. They will not deny the Lord to save their skin.
In what situations could we respond in a similar way?
Illness, disasters, planning for the future
3:19-30 Nebuchadnezzar vs. the true God
What did Nebuchadnezzar’s arrogance and anger lead him to do?
He made the fire seven times hotter and his own soldiers died putting the three faithful friends into the furnace.
Nebuchadnezzar
showed his strength but the stronger Nebuchadnezzar looked the more impressive
the Lord’s rescue.
Why was the king amazed? (v 24)
He was amazed that the men were not instantly killed. But he was more amazed that there was an extra person in the fire.
Who did the king think the fourth man was?
A son of the gods (false gods).
Who was the fourth man?
An angel (verse 28). Some say that it was the pre-incarnate Christ, the second person of the Triune God. However, there is no clear evidence of this in the context.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had no sign of being in the fire. CSI could not have found trace evidence of fire on them. They did not even smell like smoke. God completely saved them from the fiery furnace that killed others who were just near it. How completely does God save people from the eternal fires of hell?
Believers will suffer none of the agonies of hell. No fire. No punishment. Christ paid for all sins and we do not have to pay for any of our sin. We are completely saved.
"Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.”" (Daniel 3:29)
What do you think of Nebuchadnezzar’s reaction to the rescue in verse 29 above?
His last statement is good—Only the Lord can save. He gets it wrong when he threatens to cut up anyone who talks against the God of the Hebrews. Hearts are not converted by force, but by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel.
Where was Daniel during this? Did he bow down to the image?
Daniel is not mentioned in chapter 3. We can’t say much more than that except that in chapters 1 & 6 Daniel shows that he is willing to die instead of disown the Lord.
Daniel 6 The Lions’ Den
6:1-9 The Trap is Laid
Look at the timeline.
The fiery furnace happened during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, probably early in his reign. This event happened many years later under a different empire and ruler. About how old would Daniel be now?
If he was a teenager when captured in 605BC he would 80+ now. He is an old man.
Secular history does not know the name Darius the Mede. Secular history says that Cyrus the Mede conquered Babylon and ruler over it himself. Why does this not cause us problems and what are some possible explanations?
God’s Word is true in every way—Historically as well as spiritually. Secular history did not know the Hittite empire for years and ridiculed Bible-believers for believing there was a Hittite empire. Then archeologists found evidence of the Hittite empire. Just because we don’t have proof outside the Bible does not mean the Bible is wrong.
Darius could be another name for Cyrus or the governor Cyrus appointed, known as Gobryas or Gubaru in secular history.
Daniel is highly regarded. He goes from the head of the Babylonian government to the head of the Medo-Persian government. Why did the other administrators want to find something corrupt about Daniel and what did they find?
They wanted his place of power and honor. They will do anything to get it, but there first try at finding something legitimate to bring against Daniel fails. Daniel is honest and trustworthy, which is why Darius puts him in a high position.
What plan did they hatch to get rid of Daniel?
They got Darius to declare 30 days of prayers to the king only which they knew Daniel would not do.
Read the following excerpts from the Minneapolis Star Tribune (online) and comment on the difficulty of being an elected government official and a Christian.
Antichrist buzz brings Bachmann camp denials
Michele Bachmann's campaign says talk about her Lutheran synod's linking the pope to the antichrist is just a hornet's nest stirred up by the Patty Wetterling camp.
Pamela Miller, Star Tribune Last update: October 30, 2006 – 10:20 PM
Kessler asked: "The Minneapolis-based Star Tribune reports ... that the church you belong to is affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod which, it says, regards the Roman Catholic pope as the antichrist. Is this true? Do you share the views of your church? And, why should any Catholic in the Sixth District vote for you if it is true?" Bachmann replied, "That's a false statement. ... It's abhorrent, religious bigotry. I love Catholics, I'm a Christian, and my church does not believe that the pope is the antichrist. That's absolutely false. ... I welcome and have as part of our family many Catholic members as well."
Being in a government position, especially elected office demands compromise. A Christian cannot compromise on God’s Word.
6:10-20 Thrown to the Lions
Agree or Disagree: Daniel was spitting in the king’s face when he immediately went to his room and disobeyed the king’s decree.
Daniel respected the king but would not respect the king more than God. Daniel did as he always did and prayed 3 times/day to God.
Give an example of a proper and improper way to handle these situations.
· A non-Christian coworker complains about the Christmas music coming from your office.
· The company you work for starts each day with a prayer to the “higher power that watches over us all.”
· The government says that churches may not teach that Jesus is the only way to heaven because it causes bad relations with Muslim nations.
What verses in this section make you think that Darius got tricked into making this law?
Verse 14—Darius was distressed. He did not mean for Daniel to fall under the penalty for breaking this foolish decree.
Verse 16—Darius knew that Daniel’s God could save and wanted Daniel saved.
Verse 18—Darius was up all night with guilt about the situation
Verse 19&20—Darius went as soon as possible to see if the Lord rescued Daniel
6:21-28 The Only True God Rescues Daniel
How did God rescue Daniel?
He sent “his angel and he shut the mouths of the lions.” There is nothing to indicate that this is more than a created angel.
Daniel says that God rescued him because “I was found innocent in his sight.” Are you able to make that same claim before the Lord? Why or why not?
No one, not even Daniel, is able to stand innocent before God on his own. All have sinned. However, all believers in Christ are able to stand innocent before God because their sins are taken away by Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
How was God’s rescue of Daniel like his rescue of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego?
Both were rescues from certain death. Both were complete rescues—no hint of being in the fire and not a scratch on Daniel. Both showed his dominance over false gods who cannot rescue anyone.
What do you think of Darius’ actions in verse 24?
Those schemers received what their deeds deserved in this life. Sometimes the Lord will wait to carry out his judgment on the wicked until they have died and face the final judgment.
Both Nebuchadnezzar and Darius issue impressive statements about the true God. Did these rulers come to faith?
Neither decree says that the Lord is the only God. He is just the greatest of the gods. These pagan rulers did not renounce their false gods. But the Lord used this decree to strengthen believers who heard it and make others aware of his power to rescue.
Note the text note in the NIV on verse 28. It could be that Darius is another name for Cyrus.
Why did the Lord rescue the three men from the fiery furnace and Daniel from the lions’ den?
He did it to show his dominance and power and that he is the only God.
Should we expect God to rescue us in the same dramatic fashion he rescued Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and Daniel? Why or why not?
We know that he has the ability to rescue us from every evil. We leave it up to him as the three men did before they were thrown into the furnace (3:17-18). If he rescues us from physical death, praise the Lord. If he does not rescue us from physical death, praise the Lord because he has taken us into eternal life.