Preaching the Word
The "First Principle" podcasts which are numbered # are a great tool for believers to go over the essentials of the Christian Faith.
The "Mysteries of God's Word" podcasts are an indepth study of Scripture.
The other podcasts are sermons that have been given, some verse by verse and others topical.
It is my passion to be true to God and His Word. To preach in such a way that people can easily see the LORD as our Creator and as our Redeemer. To understand that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever even as we live in a world that is continually changing. Salvation is and has always been through faith alone in the Messiah alone. His name is Jesus the Christ; there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Preaching the Word
Daniel 3 - Fireproof Faith - The Mysteries of God's Word
Tyrannical power meets immovable faith in the dramatic confrontation between Nebuchadnezzar and three faithful Hebrew officials. Against the backdrop of ancient Babylon, a 90-foot golden idol stands as a symbol of arrogance and defiance against divine revelation.
When Nebuchadnezzar summons every government official in his vast empire to bow before his golden image, he creates the ultimate test of loyalty. The king's decree is simple yet devastating: worship or die in a fiery furnace. For most officials, adding another deity to their pantheon posed no moral dilemma. For Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—officials who serve the one true God—the choice becomes a crucible of faith.
Their response resonates across millennia as one of the most powerful declarations of faith ever recorded: "Our God is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace... but if not, we still won't serve your gods." This wasn't blind religious zeal but a profound understanding that genuine faith transcends circumstances and outcomes. Standing alone while thousands bow, these three men demonstrate that true courage isn't the absence of fear but the determination that something matters more than fear itself.
The narrative reaches its climax when the enraged king has them thrown into a furnace so hot it kills the soldiers carrying out the execution. But instead of destruction, Nebuchadnezzar witnesses a miracle—four figures walking freely amidst the flames, the fourth like "a son of the gods." When the three emerge without even the smell of smoke on their clothes, an entire generation of Babylon's leadership witnesses incontrovertible evidence of a power greater than their mighty empire.
This episode reveals how God often works: not by preventing the furnace, but by meeting us within it. When life heats to unbearable temperatures and everything seems lost, remember that the fourth man still walks in fires today. What impossible furnace are you facing? Take courage—the same God who preserved three faithful servants still specializes in fireproof deliverance.
Email: nathan@nathandietsche.com
Thank you for again joining us for the Mysteries of God's Word. Today we're in Daniel, chapter 3, where Nebuchadnezzar is setting up a massive golden image and demanding everyone bow down to it and then throwing people into the fiery furnace who don't. Beginning in verse 1, king Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold whose height was 60 cubits and its breadth 6 cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates and all of the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates and all of the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. In verse 1, we learned that Nebuchadnezzar had made this image of gold. If you remember, back in chapter 2, nebuchadnezzar had received a terrifying dream of a great and mighty statue and Daniel had interpreted his dream. But now Nebuchadnezzar is arrogantly, in defiance of God, making an image of gold. The very creation of this image appears to be a direct attempt to stop the future that God has revealed to him through Daniel. This image of gold would appear to be a reflection of the image in his dream, but instead of being made of all of the different materials that represented the different kingdoms, nebuchadnezzar makes this image fully out of gold, because this tyrannical king is defying the God of heaven with a physical image meant to indoctrinate all of the people in the Middle East with a forced loyalty. Nebuchadnezzar wants everyone to be loyal to Babylon and to him alone. We're told the height was 60 cubits high and its breadth was 6 cubits. That means the height of this statue was about 90 feet tall and it was about nine feet wide. Now, as you get that image in your mind, you'll see this statue, which probably represented a form of a human image, is quite disproportionate with its height and its width, with its height and its width, and some scholars propose that this image was on a tall platform so that the dimensions are more appropriate for a human image rather than being so tall and skinny.
Speaker 1:And then, in verses 2 and 3, we see how Nebuchadnezzar sent out a request for every government official in his kingdom to come to this dedication. We might call this the Summit Conference of Babylon. It actually lists the different government positions that were invited twice the satraps, who were leaders over the regions. We might think of them as a governor of a state. The prefects were rulers over the law. We might think of them as military generals or local sheriffs. The governors that are mentioned here in scripture were leaders over localized provinces like a county or a city. Counselors were lawyers, treasurers were accountants and taxmen. Justices were judges, magistrates are what we might consider police. And then it says all the other officials. Anyone who held a government job in the kingdom of Babylon was expected to come to the dedication of this golden image.
Speaker 1:One of the interesting things that we find in this narrative, however, is that Daniel is nowhere to be found. Did the king intentionally not invite Daniel? Did the king intentionally not invite Daniel? Because it was Daniel that supernaturally interpreted a dream of an image like this? Was the king perhaps, maybe afraid to invite Daniel, or perhaps Daniel refused to come? And maybe the king allowed it because of how he had seen something so spectacular working through Daniel? While we're not told why Daniel's not here, we do see the king in defiance of that very dream Daniel revealed to him, picking up, in verse 4, and the herald proclaimed aloud you are commanded, o peoples, nations and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.
Speaker 1:In verses 4 through 6, we see the herald, who is an official person, of proclaiming the news for the kingdom, telling all of these government officials that when they hear the sound of the music, telling all of these government officials that when they hear the sound of the music, they're to bow down. We can see that this is a massive event that included a huge ensemble of musicians from across the kingdom of Babylon, all that came to dedicate this new image of gold. That came to dedicate this new image of gold, and it was at the blast of this large band that the main event would take place. Every person that was on the government payroll in the kingdom of Babylon was to fall down and worship this image of gold. It is important to note this isn't simply a celebration. This isn't simply an acknowledgement of what King Nebuchadnezzar has done. Rather, they are commanded to worship this image, and that implies that this is both a political and religious event. Perhaps the image was of Babylon's chief god Marduk, or Nebuchadnezzar's patron god Nebu. Whatever the image was, nebuchadnezzar was demanding from every public official that they openly display their submission both to his authority and to the worship of this golden image, and certainly from Nebuchadnezzar's perspective. When they did so, they were acknowledging the Babylonian empire as supreme, and the herald says that whoever does not fall down in worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. This threat of death by fire makes it clear that Nebuchadnezzar's intention is to indoctrinate everyone in his kingdom into Babylonian loyalty by force, and he's going to root out anyone who would undermine the kingdom of Babylon. However, all of the other nations that Nebuchadnezzar had conquered are not going to find this command terribly oppressive, except for the Jews, as the other nations would not see worshiping another god as preventing them from worshiping their gods. However, the Jews believed there was only one true God, and they were commanded by the Lord, god Almighty, not to worship any other god. I've noticed that some commentators believe that Nebuchadnezzar was targeting the Jews because of this? However, I don't think that's the case. I believe Nebuchadnezzar's primary goal here is very self-motivated. Nebuchadnezzar wants his kingdom to be the only kingdom on earth and he's standing in defiance of what the Lord, god, has shown him.
Speaker 1:Verse 7. Therefore, as soon as all of the people heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations and languages fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Verse 7 is a description of how this group of babylonian government officials came from every part of the babylonian empire. The government officials included people consumed by the empire from other nations, other languages, other people, groups, and everyone who had been conquered by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian empire and now been given governmental positions was to fall down and worship this golden image that represented the kingdom of Babylon. Verse 8.
Speaker 1:Therefore, at that time, certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. They declared to King Nebuchadnezzar O king, live forever. You, o king, have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe and every kind of music shall fall down and worship the golden image, and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon. Shadrach, meshach and Abednegoaldeans came forward and maliciously accused certain Jews. Now, the Chaldeans that are mentioned here are the wise men that were trained in Babylonian tradition. In fact, daniel would have been considered a Chaldean. However, these were certain Chaldeans. These were likely the priests of the Babylonian god, merodach, who were jealous of these young Jews that had just been promoted over them. And now they're just too happy to report of their disobedience. These certain Chaldeans now point out that these certain Jews aren't worshipping your gods, nebuchadnezzar. They're not worshipping this golden image you've set up. And these certain Chaldeans are quick to point out how the king himself appointed these men over the province of Babylon and they're paying no attention to him during this most important event Verse 13.
Speaker 1:Then Nebuchadnezzar, in a furious rage, commanded that Shadrach, meshach and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them Now, if you're ready, when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon harp, bagpipe and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good, but if you do not worship you shall immediately be cast into the burning fiery furnace. And who is the God who will deliver you out of my hands? In verses 13 through 15, this tyrannical king Nebuchadnezzar is consumed by rage and he is quick to use the death penalty when he does not feel he's being obeyed or the primary objective of making Babylon the only kingdom on earth is being fulfilled. So Shadrach, meshach and Abednego are brought before the king, and King Nebuchadnezzar gives these three companions a second chance to worship the image. He says if you're ready, when you hear the sound of the music, fall down and worship. He hopes, now that they've been singled out and they stand before him, they'll worship the image.
Speaker 1:And then, in Nebuchadnezzar's typical display of irreverence for the God of heaven, nebuchadnezzar arrogantly asks Shadrach, meshach and Abednego who is the God who will deliver you from my hands? Verse 16. Shadrach, meshach and Abednego answered and said to the king O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, o king. But if not, be it known to you, o king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.
Speaker 1:Verses 16, 17, and 18 are the reply of Shadrach, meshach and Abednego to the king, and they show absolute confidence and trust in the Lord, god Almighty. In saying they have no need to answer the king, they weren't disrespecting him, but rather they know that it is God who will deal with this idolatrous and tyrannical king, not their arguments. Furthermore, they knew firsthand that this entire event of the golden idol by Nebuchadnezzar was an act of defiance against the God that had revealed those other kingdoms that were coming because they were part of praying for Daniel not very long ago, when Daniel interpreted the king's dream and God, implying their service to the Lord comes before their service to the king. They tell Nebuchadnezzar that their God is able to deliver them, even from the fiery furnace, and he will deliver them out of the king's hand. And then they say but if not even as they trust in the Lord's ability to do this, they have no special revelation that it is God's plan to deliver them. They simply know that he is the God of the universe and he can if he wants to. They recognize that God has no obligation to save their lives from the fiery furnace, but he will act according to his will and for his greater purpose. Will act according to his will and for his greater purpose. And then, as these three men have stood in faith against the king's decree, with their very lives on the line, they make a final declaration to the king that they will not serve his gods or worship the golden image Verse 19.
Speaker 1:Ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, meshach and Abednego and cast them into the fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats and their other garments and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. Because the king's order was urgent and the furnace was overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, meshach and Abednego, and these three men, shadrach, meshach and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace. In verses 19-23, again, we're confronted with this king's uncontrollable rage when he is defied, his fury has so consumed him that he's lost his composure publicly. And now the king wants the fire of this furnace to match the fire of his rage, and he's asking it be brought up to its maximum capacity. As he does so, he calls for some of the strongest men in all of his army to bind Shadrach, meshach and Abednego. And these same strong men are to take Shadrach, meshach and Abednego up to the top of the furnace and cast them in. So the strong men bound these companions in multiple locations so that they had no opportunity to struggle.
Speaker 1:And then the scripture tells us that the furnace was overheated. Nebuchadnezzar heated this furnace to the point where it was more than the furnace itself was built to take. Additionally, we're told, the king's order was urgent, meaning the king demanded that this harsh punishment be done immediately when the furnace was brought up to full heat. So those strong men from the Babylonian army were forced to take Shadrach, meshach and Abednego to the top of that furnace at its raging fire. And as they did so they were overtaken by the flames and died. As they were casting, the three companions in, shadrach, meshach and Abednego fell from the top of the furnace to the bottom with their bindings still on Verse 24.
Speaker 1:Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors Did we not cast three men bound into the fire? They answered and said to the king True, o king. He answered and said but I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they're not hurt. And the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.
Speaker 1:Verses 24 and 25 describe the shock of Nebuchadnezzar. All of a sudden, something astonishing and frightening shocked King Nebuchadnezzar right out of his chair. And the king shouts to his counselors who were with him did we not cast three men bound into the fire? And they replied to him True, o king. But to Nebuchadnezzar's great shock, the impossible was revealed before his very eyes While some of the greatest and strongest men of his army died, tossing these men into the furnace from the heat.
Speaker 1:Shadrach, meshach and Abednego are unscathed and they're in the middle of this furnace with their bonds broken, walking with a fourth person. And Nebuchadnezzar says that this is like a son of the gods. This phrase, a son of the gods, is a reference to an angel. Nebuchadnezzar recognizes a supernatural being in the midst of the fire with these three men. This angel may have very well been the angel of the Lord, the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ, verse 26.
Speaker 1:Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace. He declared Shadrach, meshach and Abednego servants of the Most High God, come out and come here. Then Shadrach, meshach and Abednego came out of the fire. This dumbfounded king walks closer to the furnace door as he watches these four men in the bottom of the furnace, and then he calls out Shadrach, meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out and come here. Nebuchadnezzar, in this moment of experiencing something beyond human understanding, something that defies his very power as king, now calls these three men servants of the Most High God. The king acknowledges, much like he did with Daniel in Daniel, chapter 2, verse 47, that this God of the Jewish people, the God of Shadrach, meshach and Abednego, is the God of gods. He's the Lord of kings.
Speaker 1:However, like the demons, nebuchadnezzar's acknowledgement of God's power doesn't keep him from continuing to defy God. And there's something very interesting to note on this title the Most High God that is used in scripture. Here in Daniel, this title the Most High God is used with Nebuchadnezzar as a pagan journeying toward faith. However, in other scriptures, the title the Most High God is only used by the demonic world to reference to the Lord, for example in Isaiah 14.14, when it's describing how Satan fell from heaven, he said. Also, we find this title in Mark 5-7, where Jesus heals a man with a demon.
Speaker 1:The verse reads, finally, in Acts 16.17, we read about a fortune teller who had been possessed by a spirit of divination, and she followed Paul around crying out these men are servants of the Most High God, picking up in verse 27,. High God, picking up in verse 27,. And the satraps, the prefects, the governors and the king's counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed and no smell of fire had come upon them. To me, verse 27 is really an explanation of why God rescued Shadrach, meshach and Abednego from this fiery furnace. All of the leaders of the kingdom of Babylon who were gathered for the dedication of this idol and had just bowed down to it now were coming to see how the Lord God displayed his mighty redemptive power over Shadrach, meshach and Abednego, when they themselves had refused. This list of leaders described in verse 27 are the political leaders that ruled over every region, every county and every city, and the redemptive miracle that they see shows this greater purpose. What God did with Shadrach, meshach and Abednego here gives a testimony to an entire generation of ruling class citizens in Babylon as to the power of the one true God. The Lord God supernaturally controlled every detail of the fire so that his name would be known and there would be no other possible explanation. Not only were the three companions completely untouched by the fire, but upon examination, they didn't even have the smell of the fire upon them.
Speaker 1:Verse 28. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said Blessed be the God of Shadrach, meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him and set aside the king's command and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own god. In verse 28, king Nebuchadnezzar blesses the god of Shadrach, meshach and Abednego. It's important to recognize here that King Nebuchadnezzar doesn't recognize the Lord God as his God, but rather this is the God of Shadrach, meshach and Abednego.
Speaker 1:Now, after being publicly humiliated by the supernatural work of the Lord God in front of all of the leaders of Babylon, nebuchadnezzar is eager to add the god of Shadrach, meshach and Abednego to the long list of deities that are accepted in Babylon Verse 29,.
Speaker 1:Therefore, I make a decree any people, nation or language that speaks anything against the god of Shadrach makes a very public and political move. He decrees that the god of Shadrach, meshach and Abednego is to be revered as a god of power in the kingdom of Babylon. And, as is typical for Nebuchadnezzar, the king's decree carries with it the penalty of torture and death for anyone who would speak against the god of Shadrach, meshach and Abednego. And then, in our last verse for the day, verse 30, the king promoted Shadrach, meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon. If we remember, at the end of chapter 2, the king had also promoted Shadrach, meshach and Abednego over the province of Babylon, and their initial appointment was at the request of Daniel, who had been given the authority over the province for interpreting the king's dream. It would seem now, however, these three companions are both restored to their prior positions, but also promoted in such a way that they have more authority, perhaps full authority, over the province of Babylon. Thank you for joining me for Daniel, chapter 3. God bless you this week.