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2019 May 15

Daniel 3

Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego (1863)
Image Source: Stumblinstyle.com

[ Illustration: Today's image depicts the deliverance of Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego by one who was "like the Son of God." ]

SPECIAL NOTE:

[ I will again be working through the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation. I will be adding links, resources, images, and the like, upgrading the former work-through which began with the 2013-10-12 posting which can be found, along with the full Genesis to Revelation postings, in the Archive Page. Postings will be at midnight Eastern Time, as I am able. However, no chapters will be skipped, even though a posting may be late. And all postings will be housed in the Archive Page. ]

     Explanation: Daniel 3, records a severe test for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They struggled against idolatry and against death -- the threat of death and an actual attempt upon their lives. This came about when Nebuchadnezzar made a great golden idol and commanded that everyone worship it. When Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego refused, Nebuchadnezzar threw them into a super-heated furnace. However, they were protected by one who looked "like the Son of God." This miracle moved Nebuchadnezzar to issue a decree forbidding anyone to speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego and to promote them in the kingdom. This was the third advancement for these young men.
     The Struggle (1-23). Nebuchadnezzar erected a golden statue (perhaps of himself, or of a god). He demanded that everyone fall down and worship it. From a Jewish perspective, this violated the second commandment which forbade idolatry. So Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego refused to be idolaters. This enraged Nebuchadnezzar who gave them one last chance to comply, stating that he would throw them into a super-heated furnace, and no god could deliver them. They refused, stating that their God could deliver them, but they would not worship the idol whether God delivered them or not. Immediately, Nebuchadnezzar had them bound and thrown into the furnace.
     The Triumph However, someone, whom Nebuchadnezzar described as "like a son of the gods" (v. 25 - ESV) and an "angel" (v. 28), was with the three young men in the furnace. They walked around unbound and unharmed. So Nebuchadnezzar called them out, and when he and his officials examined them, they found that no harm had come to them or their clothing, and there was no smell of smoke upon them. Nebuchadnezzar then praised them for their obedience to God and made a decree that if anyone spoke against their God they would be slain, and their house would become a dunghill. By this decree, he (unwittingly, it would seem) demanded that everyone obey the third commandment which forbade blasphemy (speaking against) God. He then promoted Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego (24-30).
     Alternate Chapter Outline: Various authors see a chiastic * structure in this and other chapters in Daniel. Below, I have presented the outline of David A. Dorsey, slightly modified, from his book The Literary Structure of the Old Testament (p. 261). Below, I have made the main paragraph divisions of Daniel 3 in accord with Dorsey's chiastic divisions.
      * A chiastic structure is a literary form of parallelism in which a succession of ideas leads up to an emphatic central point then repeats in reverse order.

Chapter 3: The Fiery Furnace

a. Introduction: An Idol is Exalted (1-7).
    b. Enemies Speak Against Daniel's Friends (8-12).
        c. Daniel's Friends are Thrown into a Fiery Furnace (13-23).
            d. CLIMAX: They are Unharmed! (24-25).
        c'. Daniel's Friends Emerge from the Fiery Furnace (26-27).
    b'. The King Praises Daniel's Friends and their God (28-29).
a'. Conclusion: The Servants of the Most High God are Exalted (30).

     [ Sermons: Eric Alexander. William Still. Stuart Olyott. Various. ]

Bible Chronologies -- Genesis to Revelation

[Traditional Patriarchal Chronology. Judges Period Chronology 1. Judges Period Chronology 2. Kings of Judah and Israel #1. Kings of Judah and Israel #2].

[Post Exile Chronology 1. Post Exile Chronology 2. Post Exile Chronology 3.]

[Prophets Chronology 1. Prophets Chronology 2. Prophets Chronology 3. Prophets Chronology 4.]

[Intertestamental Period Chronology 1. Intertestamental Period Chronology 2. Intertestamental Period Chronology 3.
Intertestamental Period Chronology 4. Intertestamental Period Chronology 5.]

[New Testament Chronology 1. New Testament Chronology 2. New Testament Chronology 3. New Testament Chronology 4. New Testament Chronology 5.]

RESOURCES

PLEASE NOTE: Use the resources on this and other sites thoughtfully, particularly the commentaries and encyclopedias. I have attempted to list conservative, scholarly resources. However, some providers use liberal or liberal-influenced commentaries such as the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (in Bible Hub). Such commentaries are undoubtedly included by the provider for the wealth of useful information and comments which they provide. By consulting several commentaries, it should be fairly easy to sort out the wheat from the chaff. If, however, you would like personal assistance, write to me at AD LIB ARTS EMAIL.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Daniel 3: Daniel 1. Daniel 2. Daniel 3. Daniel 4. Daniel 5. Daniel 6. ]
[1] 2 Kings 25:8; Isaiah 44:9-20; Daniel 2:31-32; Exodus 20:23; Jeremiah 16:20.
[2] Numbers 25:2.
[3] Esther 3:12; Romans 1:21-28.
[4] Daniel 4:1; Daniel 7:14.
[5] Daniel 3:10, 15.
[6] Exodus 20:5; Jeremiah 29:22; 2 Kings 19:12; 2 Chronicles 28:23.
[7] Jeremiah 51:7; 1 John 5:19.
[8] Daniel 6:12-13; Ezra 4:12-16; Esther 3:6-9; Acts 16:20-22.
[9] Daniel 5:10; Daniel 6:6, 21.
[10-11] Daniel 6:12.
[12] Daniel 6:10; Daniel 2:48-49.
[13] Daniel 2:12; Esther 3:5-6; Luke 6:11.
[14] Jeremiah 50:2.
[15] Isaiah 36:18-20; Luke 4:7-8; Exodus 5:2; 2 Kings 18:35; 2 Chronicles 32:15-17; Isaiah 36:20; Matthew 27:43.
[16-17] Daniel 4:35; Genesis 17:1; Isaiah 43:2; Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 115:3.
[18] Job 13:15; Proverbs 28:1; Isaiah 51:12-13; Exodus 20:3-5.
[19] Proverbs 21:24; Luke 12:4-5; Acts 5:33; Acts 7:54.
[20-21] Acts 12:4-5; Acts 16:23-25.
[22] Exodus 12:33; Proverbs 11:8; Matthew 27:5.
[23] Psalm 34:19; Psalm 124:1-5; 2 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Peter 4:12-13.
[24] Daniel 5:6.
[25] Daniel 3:28; Isaiah 43:2; Psalm 91:3-9.
[26] Daniel 2:47; Acts 16:17.
[27] Psalm 83:18; 2 Kings 19:19.
[28] Daniel 4:34; Daniel 6:26-27; 2 Chronicles 32:21.
[29] Deuteronomy 32:31; Psalm 3:8.
[30] Psalm 91:14; Romans 8:31; Psalm 1:3.
     -- From Treasury of Scripture Knowledge & Others ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). PROVERBS: Book of Proverbs. ECCLESIASTES: Book of Ecclesiastes Dramatized. SONG OF SOLOMON: Song of Solomon Dramatized. ISAIAH: Isaiah Dramatized. JEREMIAH: Jeremiah Dramatized. LAMENTATIONS: Lamentations Dramatized. EZEKIEL: Ezekiel Dramatized. VARIOUS ARTISTS: Micha'el Ben David. Sons of Korah. Fernando Ortega. Janet Isaac Morrison. Music of the Bible Revealed - Suzanne Haik-Vantoura. Dr. David Erb. Gregorian Chants. ]

HARMONY OF THE LAW

John Calvin - CCEL | Analytical Chart - BLB

GOSPEL HARMONIES

Gospel Harmony - Summary | The Harmony of the Gospels - Augustine | Gospel Harmony Chart - Online Bible

Greek Harmony of the Gospels - Robertson - (Downloadable PDF) | Gospel Harmony in English - Robertson - (Downloadable PDF)

HEBREW AND GREEK INTERLINEAR BIBLES

Hebrew and Greek Interlinear Download - Scripture 4 All

Bible Hub Interlinear Hebrew and Greek Bible

Bible Hub Hebrew Interlinear | Scripture 4 All Hebrew Interlinear

Mounce Interlinear | Bible Hub Greek Interlinear | Scripture 4 All Greek Interlinear Bible

Daniel Detailed Outline

Daniel 3

Map 1: Bible Nations | Map 2: Empire of David and Solomon Map 3: Kingdoms of Judah and Israel | Post Exile Chronology.

1. Spiritual Struggle in Babylon (1:1 - 6:28)

C. The Struggle With Death - Won by God's Deliverance from the Fiery Furnace (3:1-30)

     ¹ Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.

     ² Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. ³ Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

     ⁴ Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, ⁵ That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: ⁶ And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

     ⁷ Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

     ⁸ Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused [and they devoured their morsels, that of] the Jews. ⁹ They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. ¹⁰ Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: ¹¹ And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. ¹² There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee [not have they regarded your taste]: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

     ¹³ Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they bought these men before the king.

     ¹⁴ Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true [intentional], O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? ¹⁵ Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

     ¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king,

     O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. ¹⁷ If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. ¹⁸ But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

     ¹⁹ Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one [at once] seven times more than it was wont to be heated. ²⁰ And he commanded the most mighty men [mighty-men mighty-men of valor] that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. ²¹ Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. ²² Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. ²³ And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

     ²⁴ Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. ²⁵ He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

     ²⁶ Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. ²⁷ And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

     ²⁸ Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. ²⁹ Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.

³⁰ Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.

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