Faith in the Furnace

In Daniel Chapter 3 we find that Nebuchadnezzar causes a major problem for Shadrach Meshach and Abendego.

Nebuchadnezzar builds a giant golden image and he invites all his officials to come to the dedication of the image that he had set up. Not only were his officials invited to come and see the image but they were to bow before it and even worship it.

Nebuchadnezzar gave them a chance to avoid the fiery furnace. Bow or burn.

Three Hebrew young men had a number of temptations here.

1. Disobey the Word of God in favour of the King’s command.

2. Commit idolatry in order to save their lives.

They knew the 10 Commandments.

Idolatry is not only the worship of false God’s but idolatry is also the worship of an image in the place of God.

Idolatry can also be the worship of the true God using images.

John 4:24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

3. Another temptation was that they could have been tempted to retain their positions amongst royalty even for the sake of the nation , but in order to do that they needed to bow before an idol.

4. Peer Pressure: Other Jews may have said to them just do it, just think if the influence you could have on Babylon alive rather than death.

Today we need people that will stand for the Lord no matter the cost.