The Chaldeans were jealous of Daniel and his friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, because he had revealed and interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream by God’s wisdom and power (Daniel 2:23). They felt ashamed before the king, because none of them could reveal his dream. Furthermore, Daniel had set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego over the affairs of the province of Babylon (Daniel 2:49).
Daniel 3:12
There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.”
As revenge, and because of their jealousy and hatred for Daniel, the Chaldeans complained against his three young companions. The devil exploited legalism here to oppose God’s servants. The Chaldeans wanted to harm the favor that Daniel and his friends had with King Nebuchadnezzar. They wanted to snatch away their position and authority in the king’s government.
Sometimes, we experience the same thing in our personal or professional lives. But keep reading; the story gets interesting.
Daniel 3:16-18
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.”
The three young men took authority in the Lord their God and were bold enough to speak God’s Word. They clearly addressed the issue and made their actions clear before King Nebuchadnezzar. They said that they’ll not compromise with God’s laws and Word, despite of the strict law passed by the king to worship the gold image.
The three young men did not fear the spirits of exploitation of legal laws and accusation, and the king’s authority. Yes, they honored the king’s authority, but they did not place it above God’s authority and Word. They did not fear the consequences of obeying God.
Daniel 3:22
Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego.
Those who touched the three young servants of God were killed by the fire, because they touched the apple of God’s eye. Your enemies will face the same fate. They will perish in the same evil they commit against you.
Daniel 3:24-25
Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
God will astonish people in authority and your opposition. Even though you’re in the midst of trouble and the darkest valley, do not fear, because God is already present in it, even before you arrived there. Instead of three men in the fire, King Nebuchadnezzar saw four.
Although the three young men bound (Daniel 3:21), they because loose because God was present in the fire. When God is with you, nothing can bind you. There is freedom, deliverance in Christ. Always stay in God’s presence.
Daniel 3:26
Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here.” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire.
Earlier, King Nebuchadnezzar did not care about the governmental position the three young men possessed, which he himself gave them, when the Chaldeans accused them. But when God was revealed through them, he recognized their spiritual authority. God glorified His Name through them.
Daniel 3:27
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 fire was not on them.
The trouble (fire) had no power on the three young men, but it consumed their opposition who touched them. God will not allow destruction to even come close to your tabernacle. Instead, there will be peace and joy in your tabernacle. You’ll not have any memories of past troubles, nor will past enemies reenter your life or enter your future. In Jesus Name, amen!
The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly. (Psalm 118:15)
Daniel 3:28
Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God!
God always delivers His children. The three young men trusted God. Don’t fear any situation. Trust God always. You may frustrate the authorities of this world, but don’t disobey or dishonor God. Follow and obey His Word. His Word is above every other authority.
Daniel 3:29
Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this.”
Here, legalism worked in the favor of the three young men. It started working against their enemies. God’s Name was glorified through their victory. When you win a spiritual battle, God brings many people to Christ. Even your enemies who fought against you in the battle will come to Christ.
Daniel 3:30
Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon.
Finally, every test leads to a testimony by God’s grace. Promotion will find you after you win your battles and stay strong in Christ, without fear. Some battles are for your promotion—both spiritual and earthly.