King Nebuchadnezzar had an image of gold made, proclaiming that all nations fall down and worship the image. Refusal to do so would result in death by fire.
At the signal given, “all the people, nations and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up” (Daniel 3:7).
Three Jews did not obey King Nebuchadnezzar. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego would not serve the gods of Babylon or worship the image Nebuchadnezzar had commissioned.
Their refusal came with great consequence. The text reveals that the king, “in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego” (3:13). He demanded obedience from the three.
Consider the audacious response of these three men to the most powerful man in the world:
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.’” (3:16-18).
Many articles have been written about the confidence of the three in their God. Other articles have emphasized the willingness of the men to die for Him, in refusing to obey the king.
Perhaps the most interesting phrase in their answer to Nebuchadnezzar was the statement, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.” The powerful king was demanding accountability, and the intrepid Jews dismissed his demands in the most cursory manner.
Ultimately, as we acknowledge the God-given responsibility to obey the civil authorities (cf. Romans 13:1-7), when all is said and done, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
Because Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego determined to obey God instead of Nebuchadnezzar, they were condemned to death. They were thrown into a furnace that was so hot with flames that it killed the mighty men given the charge to throw them in. The fact that God protected them is insignificant to our point. They paid a high price for their obedience. They had no assurance they would be spared. In fact, many Christians have lost their lives because they determined to “obey God rather than men.”
I find it disheartening that so many today seek to minimize the importance of obeying God. The idea that obedience is not important is so foreign to the revelation of God. And yet the view persists. Men flout their rebellion, and then exhibit the temerity to claim salvation regardless of their sin. In this they show great disrespect not only for God, but for all who have paid the ultimate price for their faith.
Despite the prevailing views, the life of a Christian is a life of commitment and sacrifice. Preachers may seek to “preach into heaven” those who had no interest in the things of God while living, but their efforts have no bearing on the eternal destiny of the disobedient (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:8).
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
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