KEY VERSES:
“Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied, to the king ‘O 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 save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:16–18 (NIV)
Friendships make life enjoyable and difficult times bearable. Friendships are tested and strengthened by hardships. Such was the relationship between three young Jewish men deported to Babylon along with Daniel. Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego help us think about the real meaning of friendship. As much as these friends meant to each other, they never allowed their friendship to usurp God’s place in their lives – not even in the face of death.
Together they silently defied King Nebuchadnezzar’s order to fall down and worship the image of gold or get thrown into the burning fiery furnace. They shared a courageous act when they reached this crossroad of faith. A small compromise would have allowed them to live and go on enjoying each other, serving God and serving their people while in this foreign land. But they were wise enough to see that compromise would have poisoned the very conviction that bound them so closely – each had a higher allegiance to God. So they did not hesitate to place their lives in the hands of God. The rest is victory…”Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here.” Then Shedrach, Meshach, and Abednego came from the midst of the fire. And the satraps, administrators, governors and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of the fire was not on them.” Daniel 3:17.
Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego not only believed certain things about God and acted on them all of their lives; they believed in the omnipotence of God, that nothing was too hard for Him; and in the love of God that acts on behalf of the beloved…“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.” Daniel 3:17. They also believed in the sovereignty of God, that he acts on the basis of his own pleasure and will...“But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:18.
Even with the heathen names given to them by Nebuchadnezzar – Shadrach, “command of Aku”, Meshach, “pagan name”, and Abednego, “servant of Nego” – expressing worship to heathen gods, the original identities of these Hebrew trio – Hananiah, “Jehovah is gracious”, Mishael, “who is like God”, and Azariah, "Jehovah has helped”, without doubt reinforced their faith in God above all else.
“Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied, to the king ‘O 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 save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:16–18 (NIV)
Friendships make life enjoyable and difficult times bearable. Friendships are tested and strengthened by hardships. Such was the relationship between three young Jewish men deported to Babylon along with Daniel. Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego help us think about the real meaning of friendship. As much as these friends meant to each other, they never allowed their friendship to usurp God’s place in their lives – not even in the face of death.
Together they silently defied King Nebuchadnezzar’s order to fall down and worship the image of gold or get thrown into the burning fiery furnace. They shared a courageous act when they reached this crossroad of faith. A small compromise would have allowed them to live and go on enjoying each other, serving God and serving their people while in this foreign land. But they were wise enough to see that compromise would have poisoned the very conviction that bound them so closely – each had a higher allegiance to God. So they did not hesitate to place their lives in the hands of God. The rest is victory…”Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here.” Then Shedrach, Meshach, and Abednego came from the midst of the fire. And the satraps, administrators, governors and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of the fire was not on them.” Daniel 3:17.
Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego not only believed certain things about God and acted on them all of their lives; they believed in the omnipotence of God, that nothing was too hard for Him; and in the love of God that acts on behalf of the beloved…“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.” Daniel 3:17. They also believed in the sovereignty of God, that he acts on the basis of his own pleasure and will...“But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:18.
Even with the heathen names given to them by Nebuchadnezzar – Shadrach, “command of Aku”, Meshach, “pagan name”, and Abednego, “servant of Nego” – expressing worship to heathen gods, the original identities of these Hebrew trio – Hananiah, “Jehovah is gracious”, Mishael, “who is like God”, and Azariah, "Jehovah has helped”, without doubt reinforced their faith in God above all else.
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