An Undeniable, Indisputable Distinction

Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. [Daniel 3.28] 

Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego had no intention of negotiating with Nebuchadnezzar. In fact, it seems almost as if they taunted the king before being thrown into the furnace:

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” [Daniel 3.16-18]

No doubt, the three Hebrews were taking the first two of the Ten Commandments very literally and without even a hint of open-mindedness: 

“You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. [Exodus 20.3-6]

One might say that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were closed-minded regarding God's Word and were unwilling to even discuss alternatives. And, for their unwillingness to acknowledge any other option, they would burn - or so it was thought.

What the Hebrew trio did was to make an undeniable and indisputable distinction between themselves and Nebuchadnezzar. It was an outrageous death-wish move, but God honored their faith. 

Ready for this?

As much as we get all teary-eyed about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego being delivered, we MUST also see that their testimony of distinction would have been just as powerful had they burned. Why? Because it's one thing to say we believe in God if we get delivered, and quite another to say we believe in God if we don't. Let that soak in.

How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. [Hebrews 11.32-39]

Faith is not about being prosperous, protected, healthy or smart. Faith is about commitment. Faith is about having no other God. Faith is about looking only to Him and turning away for nothing (not looking to anything that could even be mistaken as an idol). Faith is about testimony and that is precisely what Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego wielded over Nebuchadnezzar - he could not change their minds about God even with the threat of death!

Does God want us then to be prosperous, protected, healthy and smart? Of course He does! Anyone who denies this simply does not know the God of the Bible. However! The moment our faith is contingent upon these things, we have effectively and Biblically made them idols! Our testimony of faith is not about being prosperous, protected, healthy and smart but about trusting God ALONE for everything and accepting no alternatives even if it kills us!

There is significance that Nebuchadnezzar's statue was made of gold. It was an expensive alternative to God; while bowing to it would indeed 'save their lives,' their faith was not about preserving their lives, but about commitment to God and their testimony to the world. It just so happens that God delivered them.

We should consider the costly things - the things we pour our money into just like the world that promise the same preservation and quality of life that God promises! 

Shouldn't we defy death itself to testify of our commitment to God ALONE making an undeniable, indisputable distinction between us and the world? Yes, the Bible overwhelmingly says we should. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego say we should. Nebuchadnezzar eventually said we should. Hebrews 11 says we should. Debt, insurance, medicine and technology say we shouldn't.

Father, I think sometimes we don't actually believe Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were serious when they told Nebuchadnezzar that death was no deterrent to them. Remind us that they did not recant however and that they were actually thrown into the fire... May my commitment and testimony reflect those of these three - even if it kills me. So be it.