Remaining in the Furnace

Why didn’t Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego immediately run out of the fiery furnace? The king declared that he saw the three of them (plus one extra individual) walking around in the furnace. When the king calls to them they walk out. It doesn’t say they rolled or hopped out still bound in their clothing. They were free to walk about, presumably set free by the one whom the king described by saying, “...the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” (Daniel 3:25 NKJV) So why did they wait until the king called to them before the three of them walked out of the furnace?

To be honest, I don’t know the answer. Perhaps they were being obedient to the governing authorities. Perhaps they were so in awe of being in the presence of “the Son of God” that they did not want to come out. Maybe it was some combination of reasons. Whatever the reason, by going into and remaining in the fiery furnace, the three served to change the king’s perspective on who was really in control.

Let’s take a step back to look at how these three wound up in this position in the first place and how they had such a profound impact on the government power at hand.

Daniel 3:1-7

This situation started with a decree from King Nebuchadnezzer, ordering the people to do something that was in direct conflict with the Jewish faith. The commandment ordering them to have no other gods before the Lord God was clear and the Jews were not allowed to bow before any idol or to worship any statue or for that matter any person. This was the government keeping Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego from practicing their faith.

Around the world today there are governments that restrict the practice of religious faith, asking people to bow to whatever idol the leaders prefer. In some of those countries the punishment for professing Christ as Lord is as dire as what these three faced. We haven’t reached that point in the United States although there are attempts by some to limit the faith. I suspect that over time these attempts will be more and more successful, forcing Christians to choose between their freedom and their faith.

Daniel 3:8-15

How did Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego respond to the king’s decree? They continued to live according to what they believed which meant only worshiping the LORD. Their enemies testify to the fact that the three did not take the easy path of compromise. They risked everything in order to do what was right. In doing so they set a great example for us to follow today.

Those around us should be able to see our convictions. They should be able to see that we do not bow down to the idols that are popular in the culture around us. The key here is the fact that you never know what people will notice. For example, I’ve had coworkers comment on the fact that I do not swear. I’ve never told anyone that I see no point in resorting to curse words but they’ve noticed. People should be able to see how we change and grow in Christ, along with how our obedience remains consistent no matter the circumstances.

Here I must point something out. Those around you tend to be able to recognize “fake” when they see it. They can also recognize when someone does the right thing with the wrong motives. People know the difference between someone who speaks to them with a loving heart versus someone who simply wants to control the public square. And believe it or not, I think people can tell the difference between someone who is operating in the power of the Holy Spirit versus someone who is acting out of their own self-interests. Above all, God sees all. He knows your heart and can tell the difference between someone who is driven by devotion to Him versus someone driven by their own religious idols, even if they call those idols Christianity.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego did not try to pick a fight with the king nor did they show up at the king’s door demanding their rights. They simply lived according to their faith, letting God direct their path: a path that brought them face to face with the king.

Daniel 3:16-18

When questioned by the king, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego testified to the power of God. They didn’t tell the king how evil and sinful he was. This would have made the king the focus (which is what he wanted anyway) and he would have missed the true message: There is only one God. They also did not try to defend themselves nor did they claim the right to defy the king. This would have turned the focus on themselves. Instead they spoke about God, pointing to His ability to deliver them. Their focus remained right where it belonged: on God. They end the conversation with a statement of their true allegiance. No matter what, they would not sin against their God.

Daniel 3:19-25

The punishment for failing to do what was culturally acceptable was death by fire. But Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego did not face their punishment alone. Someone joined them in the fiery furnace, someone the king described as being of a higher power. I think it’s safe to say they were abiding under the shadow of the Almighty. As we serve our Lord we do not walk alone. God has promised that He will never leave His children nor will He forsake them (Hebrews 13:5). No matter how hot the fire, remember who stands beside you.

Not only was God with them but it appears that He untied them. Going into the furnace they were bound in their own clothing. Yet, when the king looks in he sees them walking freely in the furnace. This brings me back to the question I started with. Why didn’t they walk out before the king called them out? Again, I do not know the answer for sure. It just seems to me that wherever God is, even if it’s in the midst of a fire, it’s best to be with Him.

Daniel 3:26-30

As King Nebuchadnezer ordered Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego to come out of the furnace, he had a spiritual epiphany. I don’t know if he became a full fledged believer but this was a step in the right direction. What brought him to this point? Was it the words that were spoken in defiance of his law? No, it was not. In fact what was said to him made him really angry. What changed him was experiencing the presence and power of God in the lives of those who told him the truth. The process works the same way today. As followers of Christ we should speak the truth. But we must do so knowing that what changes a person’s heart is the presence and power of God in the lives of His children as they stay in the furnace, living their lives according to His will.